Test Results - Too much salt

[OttTim]

We had new pool installed last fall, and immediately began operating it using the TFP method. This spring was my first pool opening, which appears to have gone off without a hitch. Well, maybe one little hitch.

Brought water to proper level for pool, and then tested water and added chemicals as needed. Test results after balancing water and adding chemicals as needed:

FC: 3.5
PH: 7.4
TA: 70
CH: 230
CYA: 70

Don't have a test for salt , so I brought a sample to the pool store, just to test for salt levels. it came back at 3620 PPM. Manual for my chlorine generator says ideal level is 3000 ppm. Is 3620 sufficiently high that I should drain some water and try to get it closer to 3000 ppm? Or am I good to leave as it as is?

Tim

 

[mknauss]

Is your SWCG generating chlorine with no issues? If so, it is happy.

No need to mess with adjusting the salinity if the SWCG is happy.

 

[Mr Bruce]

First, I wouldn't trust a pool store test, even on salt. You should get a K-1766 Taylor Salt Test so that you can do your own testing.

Second, if that is accurate it shouldn't be a problem. Is the SWG complaining?

 

[Donldson]

Pool stores are notoriously bad at salt testing. And all testing, but I digress. It's very unlikely that upon opening you would have high salt since you would have gotten fresh water. Go ahead and turn on your salt cell and see what it says, if it's happy then I wouldn't mess with it. If you want to be able to test your salt level independently of the SWG then the Taylor k-1766 is a good salt tester.

 

[PoolGate]

"3620" would have me suspect their testing results. The K-1766 is all you should use for accurate chlorine testing!

 

[Richard320]

"3620" would have me suspect their testing results. The K-1766 is all you should use for accurate chlorine testing!

It was really 3619.63 but they rounded up.

 

[OttTim]

Thanks for the replies.

With respect to why salt levels might be high, I added a few bags this spring on the assumption that when the pool builder set up the pool last fall they brought the levels to around 3000 ppm. based on the amount of water I had to add, and that salt was at 3000 ppm when I closed the pool, I estimated the amount of salt to add this spring. Even if 3000 ppm in the fall, i should have still been low based on what I added.

If the current test result is accurate, then it is likely that salt levels were already high in the fall and the builder put too much salt in the pool when they finished construction and filled it.

SWG has been on for a week or so. All seems to be working fine with no warnings or complaints from the SWG. I will leave it alone and let it do its thing.