Testing for salt

[rjb1211]

I am thinking about changing to SWG from liquid chlorine. What has held me up is the manager at the pool store telling me I shouldn't do it because I have a plaster pool.

I know that the members here do not agree with that. Reading on here that the pool will have salt in it already I want to do a test to get a general idea of how much. I know that test strips are generally not as accurate as the K-1766 but they are much less expensive. Are they good enough to give me a ballpark reading as I think about what I want to do?

 

[Jimrahbe]

rjb,

Just have your pool store test the water and see what they show your salt level to be.. Pool store or test strips have about the same un-accuracy..

The manager at your pool store has no clue.... about how saltwater pools work.. Sigh!!!

If you do decide to go with a SWCG, then having a salt test kit, like the Taylor K-1766, is almost a requirement.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

Are they good enough to give me a ballpark reading as I think about what I want to do?

I would get the K-1766 salt test kit because you should be tracking salt anyway.

SWG is the way to go, in my opinion.

 

[rjb1211]

I would get the K-1766 salt test kit because you should be tracking salt anyway.

Even without SWG?

 

[proavia]

Even without SWG?

I tracked salt for a few years before getting a SWG.

How old are the reagents in your PS234 test kit?
Consider getting a TF-Pro salt kit to replace your PS234 test kit.

 

[JamesW]

Even without SWG?

Yes.

In my opinion, salt should be tracked by everyone.

In any case, you will probably get a SWG, so you might as well get the proper kit.

 

[rjb1211]

How old are the reagents in your PS234 test kit?

I have replaced them with the Taylor equivalents every couple of years.

 

[rjb1211]

In any case, you will probably get a SWG, so you might as well get the proper kit.

I am not completely sold on the idea. I figure I spend about $400 a year on liquid chlorine, and I have my needs dialed in pretty good. Between the upfront costs of the SWG and the need to replace the cell periodically the cost savings won't be dramatic. I installed the pool in 1992 and caring for it is just part of my routine. Running to the Walmart that is 10 minutes away once a month for chlorine isn't a big deal.

 

[Jimrahbe]

rjb,

I'm pretty sure no one is forcing you to buy a SWCG...

If using Liquid Chlorine is working for you.. then why change???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rjb1211]

then why change???

All of my equipment is getting pretty long in the tooth and I am thinking I should probably move into the 21st century. I know many on here love SWG so I am trying to get my arms around it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

rjb,

I have three saltwater pools.. I have had them for over 10 years.. I would almost rather fill them in with dirt, if they could not be saltwater pools..

Just for ref... I have been through 3 IC40 salt cells so for.. One lasted almost 9 years, one lasted over 7 years and one lasted about 7 years... Most salt cells last 5 to 7 years.. If we go with the low end of 5 years, and that my original cells cost about $600 each, that is $120 bucks years for chlorine. Today that same cell is $1,000, so using today's cost, that is still only $200 a year for chlorine.

The initial cost is more as you have to also buy the control panel or power center which today is $1,450.. So 5 years makes that $290 a year.

My pools also have VS pumps that run 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM.. This costs me $20 bucks a month.

In my mind, having a SWCG without a VS pump is not a positive, as the cost to run the pump long enough to generate the chlorine your pool needs can cost a lot more.

Just something to wrap your arms around..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I run my SWG pool year round, and spend no more than $150 tops on all pool chemical needs, to include new test reagents yearly.

Maddie

 

[JamesW]

Running to the Walmart that is 10 minutes away once a month for chlorine isn't a big deal.

It's probably closer to 15 to 20 minutes each way, which is 30 to 40 minutes plus the hour that you are in the store makes a total of about 1.5 hours minimum.

And, then you have to count the time that you have to take the chlorine from the car to the storage location.

The time to add the chlorine every day.

The cost of the clothes you destroy with bleach etc. About $200.00 per month.

Your total time per month is probably 10 hours per month at $100.00 per hour, which is $1,000.00 per month.

All in, your cost is $1,200.00 per month or $14,400.00 per year.

 

[kellyfair]

You don’t have to convert. But, if you do, you will wonder why you hesitated.

 

[rjb1211]

It's probably closer to 15 to 20 minutes each way, which is 30 to 40 minutes plus the hour that you are in the store makes a total of about 1.5 hours minimum.

And, then you have to count the time that you have to take the chlorine from the car to the storage location.

The time to add the chlorine every day.

The cost of the clothes you destroy with bleach etc. About $200.00 per month.

Your total time per month is probably 10 hours per month at $100.00 per hour, which is $1,000.00 per month.

All in, your cost is $1,200.00 per month or $14,400.00 per year.

I don't know why you would say that. Do you think you know where I live?

Walmart is 3.2 miles away and the actual travel time is 7 minutes each way. When I go for chlorine I am in the store 5 minutes. It takes another 5 minutes to load the jugs in the truck. I don't ruin clothes. I only have the pool open 6 months.

Edit by Jim R.

 

[drsipe]

Someone else already mentioned, if you are just curious about your salt level, take a sample to the pool store, just don't let them talk you into adding anything.

In my opinion the only reason not to convert to SWG is the up front cost, you are basically paying for all your chlorine for the next 5-7 years when you purchase the system, but then you are not dealing with the inflation rate of the chlorine.

One of the big advantages of having a SWG is that you are constantly adding chlorine so you ppm is stable. When you add liquid chlorine, you get a spike when you add and the levels start to drop till you add more (unless you have an automatic feed system) .

Either way you decide, keeping chlorine levels at the 7.5% — 10‰ of your CYA, is the key.

 

[Newdude]

I figure I spend about $400 a year on liquid chlorine, and I have my needs dialed in pretty good. Between the upfront costs of the SWG and the need to replace the cell periodically the cost savings won't be dramatic

An IC60 makes 7.3 ppm FC per day in 33k gallons.

That's 3042 lifetime FC, equivalent to 1014 jugs of Walmart 10%. Those will cost you $6.01 with tax, or $6094.34. Not to mention you lug 1014 jugs, gas used when you aren't already out and go specifically for chlorine, etc.

So yeah. Even at a full PB install price near $3k, you'll save double with a SWG over LC. The replacement cells don't need a controller or an installer as it's a 2 min swap, so they will ROI 4.5x.

( $1340 replacement cell only, created $6094.34 in Walmart FC.)

 

[rjb1211]

An IC60 makes 7.3 ppm FC per day in 33k gallons.

That's 3042 lifetime FC, equivalent to 1014 jugs of Walmart 10%. Those will cost you $6.01 with tax, or $6094.34. Not to mention you lug 1014 jugs, gas used when you aren't already out and go specifically for chlorine, etc.

So yeah. Even at a full PB install price near $3k, you'll save double with a SWG over LC. The replacement cells don't need a controller or an installer as it's a 2 min swap, so they will ROI 4.5x.

( $1340 replacement cell only, created $6094.34 in Walmart FC.)

Thanks. You touched on another question that I had. With the recommendation being to get a cell with a rating 2x the pool volume is the IC60 good enough for 33,000 gallons?

 

[Newdude]

For PA it's fine. Cells are rated for 24/7 production, as in, a 1X cell will produce what you need in the peak season if run 24/7. So a 2X will do the same in 12 hours, reducing pump runtime and saving energy. By running the cell half as much (or 1/3.
. etc) it lasts twice (3x... etc) as long.

Also look at the Circupool RJ60. It's a beast although not quite the beast they claim. Still though, at its worst it should match the Pentair for a few hundred dollars less.

 

[wireform]

All the pools I manage are SWCG pools and whatever aren't get converted pretty soon as I'm good at convincing. Not one of the pools ever said to me why did I listen to you but rather are happy with the results. The one difference is your using liquid chlorine and if managed right will be fine. The ones I converted were the stabilized chlorine type which get the homeowners in trouble at some point and that's really where the difference shines. Even with liquid chlorine it's a peace of mind/piece of cake thing where you'll realize the simplicity so therefore it's not always the $$$ but just a new way of life.