SWCG shows low flow all the time.

[Rosie700]

Help, I have a Krystal Clear Saltwater system Model cs8110. I am using it with a Intex 15' x 42" vinyl pool. I can get it to run for a while then I get low flow alarm. I have been making sure that the water line does not have air but somehow it keeps getting air. this is getting me upset!! Can you give a pool newbe some help where to look for the problem. I have been on hold with Intex for an hour two different time all ready!!

[Rosie700]

I tightened all of the connection to the pipes. I was watching the SWAG (the clear plastic part) it is making it own air bubbles around the tall part that is in between the first connection and the plates. I have braced the last hose that go back to the pool so the bubbles flow out instead of building up. Now is has been running for 1/2 hour with out the alarm going off. Now on to the numbers. The pool has been up since Friday. Here is the reading from my testing.

Date Chlorine PH Alkalinity hardness cyanuric acid
6/9/2012 0 7.8 300 400 water stayed clear add shock
6/10/2012 0.5 7.8 330 400 NA Added 9oz of CYA after reading add shock
6/11/2012 3 7.5 300 370 less then 30 Added 9oz of CYA after reading

We have very hard city water, What else can I do??
the pool is a Intex easy set up 15 x 42 round. I have a floating surface skimmer. Krystal Clear Model 637R filter pump. Krystal Clear Saltwater system Model CS8110
This forum is the best thing out on the internet. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Watermom]

Hi, Rosie, and welcome to the Pool Forum. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for you, but we do have people on here who should be able to advise you. I just wanted to let you know that your post had been read and you weren't being ignored! Sit tight and hopefully before long, one of them will be around and can help you!

Hope you enjoy being a part of the forum!

[Rosie700]

Thanks, now I am back at the low flow alarm all the time!!! frustrating!!! Any one know were to look at, I got the bubbles to be moving away and it is still doing it!!

[PoolDoc]

I have a floating surface skimmer. Krystal Clear Model 637R filter pump. Krystal Clear Saltwater system Model CS8110

I think I may have an idea what your problem is. The CS8100 is the #54601 salt water system and requires between 700 and 4000 gph of flow. The 637R is the #56637 1000 gph pump and filter system.

Here's my guess: either the salt system flow sensor is set a little high (doesn't turn ON till maybe 1100 gph) OR the pump is a little weak (only supplies 600 gph instead of 700), or maybe a little of both. It's also possible that the flow sensor on the SWCG is broken -- even though it's new.

You can try a couple of things:
1. Remove the cartridge from the filter and the skimmer from the pool. Start the pump up with NO cartridge, and with an open connection where the skimmer would connect. See if the SWCG works then.
2. If it still doesn't work, remove any nozzle or sprayer from your hose. Turn your hose on, and put it into the pool. Carefully take the hose end, and put it just in front of the opening where the skimmer connected, so you are spraying fresh water into that opening. See if that increases the flow enough to cause the SWCG to turn on.

If either one of these works . . . you've found your problem: you need a bigger pump, like this one:

Intex 56635EG 1500-Gallon Filter Pump AC 110 to 120-Volt (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005QIYM6E/poolbooks)

If this does NOT work, then something may be wrong with the flow sensor on the SWCG. In that case, call Intex,and ask them to send you a new one, under warranty:

1-800-234-6839
M-F 7:00am-5:00pm PST; S 7:00am-3:00pm PST

Return Address:
Intex Recreation Corp. - Attn: Consumer Service Dept.
1665 Hughes Way
Long Beach, CA 90810

[Rosie700]

I found the problem, there was grass in the part of the hose that attached to the skimmer!! I guess I will have to take that off everyday and clean it out too. Now it is working well. I have it on boost overnight and will see what the numbers are in the AM.

[PoolDoc]

Glad you found the obstruction!

[Rosie700]

Thanks for sticking with this nubie and not laughing at me!! Here are my reading so far. I still have some work to do to get them where they need to be.


Date Chlorine PH 7.5-7.8 Alkalinity hardness cyanuric acid CYA
6/9/2012 0 7.8 300 400 water stayed clear add shock
6/10/2012 0.5 7.8 330 400 NA Added 9oz of CYA after reading add shock
6/11/2012 3 7.5 300 370 less then 30 Added 9oz of CYA after reading
6/12/2012 3 7.5 280 390 35 12 hours boost over night before readings

[PoolDoc]

Need to lower your pH level, fairly quickly. Those TA + CH levels are going to cause scale to appear on the SWCG plates, and I doubt the Intex units have a self-cleaning cycle.

Read the muriatic acid page linked in my sig, then get a gallon of muriatic acid, and then begin dosing, maybe a cup or two at a time -- do NOT measure -- pour and guess-timate. Wait till the pump has run at least 2 hours, retest, and re-dose as needed. Keep the pH in the 6.8 - 7.0 range. It may take a number of days for the TA to drop.

[Rosie700]

#7 - Your basic dose is 1/4 of a 1 gallon bottle per 10,000 gallons of pool water

I will be getting it today. after reading you post on Muriatic acid, it says to use the amount above. My pool is 3284 according to the book. How much should I add?? Thanks for your help!

[PoolDoc]

How much should I add?? Thanks for your help!

A 'guess-timated' cup. Add, allow the pump to circulate for 1 -2 hours, retest.

[Rosie700]

Thanks, I have gotten the CL and PH a lot better now. any other suggestions for me??? PS Thanks soooooooo very much for your help.

Date Chlorine PH Alkalinity hardness cyanuric acid
6/9/2012 0 7.8 300 400 water stayed clear add shock
6/10/2012 0.5 7.8 330 400 NA Added 9oz of CYA after reading add shock
6/11/2012 3 7.5 300 370 less then 30 Added 9oz of CYA after reading
6/12/2012 3 7.5 280 390 35 12 hours boost over night before readings
6/12/2012 1 7.5 NA NA NA 2 hours after adding 12.0 oz of liquid Muriatic acid
6/13/2012 1 7.2 270 350 NA next moring after adding 18.4 total oz of MA
6/13/2012 5 7.2 NA NA NA reading 1 hours after added 8oz of shock

[SafetyBob]

I initially had the same problem with my SWCG system from Intex too. Even covered and skimming all the grass, tree junk or whatever before I do cover it for the night, I find that as soon I do uncover the pool say a day or two later, I generally have enough crud in the return cover to take it off and clean it. With your small pump, this will be the most critical factor for you. Great job of figuring that out!!

Get that Taylor 2006C......it will afford you exacting test results so you can dial that pool in exactly where you want it.

Bob E.