Switching to SWCG and adding Boric acid for the first time

[Golfer2000]

Up until this season I've just been dumping LC and keeping an eye on things. Ive decided to switch over to a salt water system and add borates and need advice on how to best go about it. I never really close the pool but we really haven't swam this year either. I did a partial drain and fill and added 2lbs of stabilizer yesterday to bring up my CYA.

Currently these are my levels:
CYA ~20-30
CL ~2.5-3.0
CC ~0.5
TC ~2.0-2.5
PH ~7.5
CH ~300-325
TA ~70-80

So I guess my question is, in what order do I start this conversion or do I do it all at once? I should have the cell plumbed in this weekend. Do I just dump in my prescribed conditioner to get to 70-80cya? Do I dump in my 30lbs of boric acid? Do I test for salt and start dumping in the proper amounts of salt? Should I slam first (the pool is clear)?

Should I leave gaps in between the conversion process or just start throwing it all in on the same day?

As usual, thanks!

 

[Newdude]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test before raising the CYA significantly.

Salt can be added at anytime.

Undershoot both salt and CYA and creep up to target.

Once you prove you don't need to SLAM, and get salt and CYA to target, fire up the SWG.

Once that's all dialed in and you're over the learning curve, you can add the borates. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.

(If you haven't bought the borates yet, I'd see how this season goes first. You might be so happy with how it goes that there isn't any need for them.)

 

[Golfer2000]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test before raising the CYA significantly.

Salt can be added at anytime.

Undershoot both salt and CYA and creep up to target.

Once you prove you don't need to SLAM, and get salt and CYA to target, fire up the SWG.

Once that's all dialed in and you're over the learning curve, you can add the borates. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.

(If you haven't bought the borates yet, I'd see how this season goes first. You might be so happy with how it goes that there isn't any need for them.)

I appreciate the assistance. I did actually buy the boric acid already. My ph is always climbing so this was an idea to slow that issue. I'll follow your advice and go from there. I can always use lc to keep my CL up even if my swcg isn't programmed yet right?

 

[PoolStored]

+1 to @Newdude advice.

I'll add...
1) Test current salt in the pool before you add more. You might be surprised how much you already have.
2) Let the salt circulate 24 hours after dissolving before firing up the SWCG.
3) Keep your FC up with LC until the SWCG is holding.

 

[Golfer2000]

+1 to @Newdude advice.

I'll add...
1) Test current salt in the pool before you add more. You might be surprised how much you already have.
2) Let the salt circulate 24 hours after dissolving before firing up the SWCG.
3) Keep your FC up with LC until the SWCG is holding.

I appreciate the advice. I will keep everyone updated!

 

[PoolStored]

I appreciate the advice. I will keep everyone updated!

Do you have a salt test kit?

 

[Golfer2000]

Do you have a salt test kit?

I do, the taylor k-1766

 

[Golfer2000]

I do, the taylor k-1766

It just arrived today so I didn't test it yet but I'll get some readings and throw it into pool math and see what I get before buying bags of salt.

 

[Golfer2000]

+1 to @Newdude advice.

I'll add...
1) Test current salt in the pool before you add more. You might be surprised how much you already have.
2) Let the salt circulate 24 hours after dissolving before firing up the SWCG.
3) Keep your FC up with LC until the SWCG is holding.

So according to my test I was at 2400ppm for my salt. I think that's pretty wild I had that much salt already but I tested it twice and got the same result. Now I need to return 6 bags of salt lol. I added two to the deep end and I'll retest it tomorrow or in a few hours.

 

[PoolStored]

So according to my test I was at 2400ppm for my salt. I think that's pretty wild I had that much salt already but I tested it twice and got the same result.

 

[Golfer2000]

Lol at least I didn't add the 8 bags and realized I have 10000ppm of salt! Lol thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Lol at least I didn't add the 8 bags and realized I have 10000ppm of salt! Lol thanks!

Since we saved you a drain and several bags of salt...maybe you would consider becoming a supporter...we keep the lights on with donations.

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Golfer2000]

Since we saved you a drain and several bags of salt...maybe you would consider becoming a supporter...we keep the lights on with donations.

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

It ain't much but you talked me into it! Thanks again!

 

[PoolStored]

It ain't much but you talked me into it! Thanks again!

Thanks, every little bit helps.