Jandy SWCG's "optimal" water conditions: why raise CYA?

[famousdavis]

Thanks Waterbear for all your input!

I clearly don't have a handle on the chemistry that's going on in my pool. I'm a "poser" -- posing like I know something about all these chemicals when I try explaining them to my kids or my wife, but the details are still way over my head. But I'm getting there, I'm getting there.

It seems like I have a choice to make with regards to how (or to what extent) I superchlorinate my pool. I can either A) use the Boost button my SWCG, or B) go to either my nearby pool store or supermarket to buy a few jugs of liquid chlorine / bleach, and pour liquid chlorine / bleach into my pool.

The Boost / SWCG option is nice because it's dumb-easy. And since I have a variable-speed pump, I can set the pump speed to a very low setting but high enough for the flow switch in the SWCG to allow chlorine production to occur. It saves the cost of not having to buy liquid chlorine and/or bleach, and it avoids hazards that can occur with transporting and pouring those chemicals. Biggest downside, it seems, is that it may not truly achieve break-point chlorination, and it may not oxidize organics the way you'd expect. Another downside is that shortens the lifespan of the cell, so the cell would have to be replaced more quickly.

The liquid chlorine / bleach option is nice because it's very effective in superchlorinating (is that the same as "shocking"?). You can easily control how many PPMs you want in your pool by controlling the amount poured into the pool. This method extends the life of the salt cell, since I wouldn't have to Boost at all. Downsides are it costs a few bucks each week to buy the liquid chlorine / bleach, it involves trips to the local pool store or grocery on a regular basis, and it creates a chance for a spill somewhere.

Does that sound like a pretty good summation of these two options for superchlorinating?

[waterbear]

You pretty much have it down. Superchlorinating and shocking are the same. The point you are missing is that if you get your water balanced properly, get the CYA up around 80 ppm and run your FC at 5% of your CYA (for 80 ppm that would be 4 ppm FC) you will probably never need to shock the pool. Only shock if you have persistent (longer than 48 hours) combined chlorine over .5 ppm when testing with a GOOD test kit (such as the Taylor K-2006). Normally, there should be no need to shock and with the FC at 5% of the CYA you should not have algae outbreaks either (and for more algae protection and also to help stabilize pH even better the addition of 50 ppm borates to the water is highly recommended for salt pools.)

If you want to post a current set of test results I can suggest any changes you should make to the levels.

[famousdavis]

Thanks again, Waterbear.

I'll wait until the end of this week when I can post side-by-side test results from the two pool companies I've been using, plus I'll use my new K-2006 kit to give you its results, too. I'm comparing everyone's test results right now before I figure out what I'll do on an ongoing basis with regards to water testing by the pool stores (I need to do that to keep the warranty on my Diamond Brite interior). Until then, though, I'll give you some info from this weekend's readings using my K-2006.

I can tell you that the SWCG is able to boost the FC from 1.5 (yesterday morning) to 12.5 (this Monday morning) in 24 hours. And whatever trace of CC I had (during yesterday's test, the pink color for the CC test would disappear after adding just 1 drop of reagent, so I supposed the CC level was 0.5 or less), is now almost entirely gone (eg, during this morning's test, I hardly can detect any pink color at all for the CC test, but it does get very faintly more clear after adding 1 drop of reagent). Based upon my math above, I would have predicted that the FC level would have reached about 10.5 (though I rounded the liters in my pool up a little, so perhaps that accounted for some of my error. (Note: I was testing using 0.5 increments, not 0.2 increments).

Other tests from my K-2006:

TA - 80 PPM (I subsequently added 4lbs of baking soda afterwards, which should have boosted it up to about 100 PPM)
CYA - 60 PPM
pH - ranges from 7.2 to 7.8; seems happiest at 7.6. I add acid when it reaches 7.8, which lowers it to 7.2 or 7.4. This morning's reading was 7.8, so I added 4 cups of acid.

Calcium Hardness doesn't seem to be an issue -- both pool companies say I'm fine, reading between 300 and 375 depending on the week.

I am pleased that I'm getting feedback from other people who note how crystal clear our pool water is, as compared to others' pools. I attribute a lot of that to our DE filter (my buddy who supervises the City of Fort Lauderdale's public pools urged me to get a DE filter for it water-clarity benefits), but I'm sure the right pool chemicals have a lot to do with that, too. In the sunshine, the water just glistens like an aquamarine jewel. It's just gorgeous.

[waterbear]

Since you have new plaster you will have a big acid demand from the curing plaster and will go through a lot of acid for about the next year. Nature of the beast but it is very important to keep tabs on pH, TA, and CH during this time.

As I said before, the lower you put the pH the faster it will rise (and the faster you will lower TA) so you might want to rethink dropping the pH to 7.2 unless it is part of the plaster curing instructions you got from the contractor. However, SGM's Diamond Brite warranty does state that pH should be kept between 7.4-7.6. Also TA lower limit is 80 ppm on the warranty so you might want to keep it there instead of 70 ppm even though 70 ppm will give a bit better pH stability in a salt pool.
Not sure why you added baking soda to raise the TA when it was at 80 ppm. Like I said before the higher the TA the faster pH will rise and you want to slow down pH rise in your pool, particularly with curing plaster! (bringing your CYA up to 80 ppm wil also hellp as I explained).

You are lucky that your CH is not too high since that is a common problem in pools with new plaster.

Also, with a CYA of 60 ppm 12.5 ppm FC is not high enough for shocking. If you have CC of .5 greater than .5 ppm then add bleach to bring the FC up to 20 ppm. Your boost function would need closer to 48 hours to do this from what you have posted. I would not recommend that.

Also, 1.5 ppm FC is way too low and that is why you are showing CC! Your FC should be 5% of your CYA for a salt pool so for a CYa of 60 ppm your FC should be AT LEAST 3 PPM AT ALL TIMES! If you do that you will find that you do not have CC not will you be prone to algae outbreaks.

[famousdavis]

(BTW, I just subscribed to this forum thanks to your helpfulness).

I've found that whenever the pH goes to 7.2, it rises to 7.4 within the same day. So, although the pH probably was 7.2 after I added acid, it'll be 7.4 by the time I get home tonight. But I'm getting your point that shades of adjustment are better than leaps in pH adjustment; I'll re-calcualte going forward on what it takes to bring the pH down from 7.8 to 7.4, rather than 7.2.

I added the baking soda because my "optimal" range (noted by Jandy, above) is 80 - 120 PPM for TA, and since I was on the lower end of optimum, I opted to optimze my TA by bumping it an optimal middle of 100 PPM. ;-)

FC was admittedly low @ 1.5 PPM. Over the last few days of last week, I was just watching to see how my FC would fall when I ran the SWCG @ 50% for 8 hours a day. That seemed to cause it to have a net loss of about 1 PPM per day (it was 3.5 on Friday morning, 2.5 on Saturday morning, 1.5 on Sunday morning), so I know now that I'll need to bump up the salt production higher than 50%. Also, I wanted to see what my OTO kit would read, knowing it's not as accurate as the K-2006. The OTO kit is reasonably accurate (OTO showed 1.0 when my K-2006 showed 1.5; OTO showed 2.0 when my K-2006 showed 2.5; OTO showed 2.0 when my K-2006 showed 3.5). The OTO kit, however, doesn't do a good job at all at reading high levels of chlorine. As I mentioned, the K-2006 showed 12.5 FC this morning, but my OTO's yellow color this morning matched the 3.0 -- it didn't even have a bright orange color that would match the 5.0 color scale). So, it seems the OTO is good for letting me know that I have chlorine in the pool, but not so good at letting me know the upper ranges of how much chlorine. (Note: I have my elementary-aged kids do the OTO test daily).

So, in sum, it seems good to target a higher FC reading of not less than 3 PPM. Since Jandy recommends against > 4.0 PPM, while other sources say an upper range of 4 PPM is within the ideal range, I'll shoot for FC of 3 to 4 PPM. I could boost my CYA up to 80 and if I kept the FC at 4 PPM, I'd still be within the 5% of CYA.

As for shocking, I'll have to mull over that a bit to figure out what I'm willing to do. I guess weekly shocking isn't as important to do if the CC doesn't warrant it. If I just use a bleach shock maybe once a month during these warm months, maybe that's a better way to go. And I suppose I could always still hit the Boost button if I wanted, if I noticed anything less than the sparkle that I have always had in the pool so far. BTW, in a 16,000 gallon pool, how much bleach would I need? I just Googled and found a calculator that says that if my pool is 3 PPM and I want to raise it to 20 PPM, I'd need 4.5 gallons of bleach! Does that sound right? How long would we have to wait before re-entering the pool following such a shock?

One last question. I get that pool store chlorine is the same as grocery store bleach, just in a stronger concentration. Is the choice of which to use simply a financial one -- which is less costly, given how much of each liquid I'd have to add to the pool? It seems like the risk of a leaking liquid chlorine jug is greater since they're re-used over and over, and the higher concentration is more toxic, whereas the grocery store bleach is brought home, used once, then pitched into the recycle bin. It's easier for me to go to the grocery store, too, as they open early and stay open late, 7 days a week.

Thanks for your guidance, Waterbear. You've earned the site's $14 subscription fee. :-)

[waterbear]

I added the baking soda because my "optimal" range (noted by Jandy, above) is 80 - 120 PPM for TA, and since I was on the lower end of optimum, I opted to optimze my TA by bumping it an optimal middle of 100 PPM. ;-)
Except that optimal for a salt pool (or any pool using unstabilized chlorine for that matter) would be the BOTTOM of the range. Drop it back to 80 ppm.

FC was admittedly low @ 1.5 PPM. Over the last few days of last week, I was just watching to see how my FC would fall when I ran the SWCG @ 50% for 8 hours a day. That seemed to cause it to have a net loss of about 1 PPM per day (it was 3.5 on Friday morning, 2.5 on Saturday morning, 1.5 on Sunday morning), so I know now that I'll need to bump up the salt production higher than 50%. Also, I wanted to see what my OTO kit would read, knowing it's not as accurate as the K-2006. The OTO kit is reasonably accurate (OTO showed 1.0 when my K-2006 showed 1.5; OTO showed 2.0 when my K-2006 showed 2.5; OTO showed 2.0 when my K-2006 showed 3.5). The OTO kit, however, doesn't do a good job at all at reading high levels of chlorine. As I mentioned, the K-2006 showed 12.5 FC this morning, but my OTO's yellow color this morning matched the 3.0 -- it didn't even have a bright orange color that would match the 5.0 color scale). So, it seems the OTO is good for letting me know that I have chlorine in the pool, but not so good at letting me know the upper ranges of how much chlorine. (Note: I have my elementary-aged kids do the OTO test daily).

So, in sum, it seems good to target a higher FC reading of not less than 3 PPM. Since Jandy recommends against > 4.0 PPM, while other sources say an upper range of 4 PPM is within the ideal range, I'll shoot for FC of 3 to 4 PPM. I could boost my CYA up to 80 and if I kept the FC at 4 PPM, I'd still be within the 5% of CYA.
Bring the CYA up to 80 ppm and you will be able to keep the 4 ppm FC without a problem and will be able to lower your cell output. I am concerned that your unit might not be sized for your pool if running 8 hours a day at 50% is only bringing the FC to 1.5 ppm. Hopefully you have a 2 speed or multi speed pump so you can run the pump for a longer run time if needed to maintain the FC where needed. Jandy's recommendatons are based on some outdated data. If you have not done so please read the 'Best Guess Chlorine Chart' for some background.

As for shocking, I'll have to mull over that a bit to figure out what I'm willing to do.
Easy answer, your don't have to do anything! Get the CYA to 80 ppm and the FC to 4 ppm and you will not need to shock. I don't know where you go the idea that you have to shock a pool on any regular basis. Last time I shocked my pool was after returning from a 2 week vacation last July and my pool was shut off while I was gone. Because of the borates in my water my pool was only slightly cloudy and a shock to 20 ppm FC took care of it and I was swimming a day later! Normally I never shock and you should not need to either!


One last question. I get that pool store chlorine is the same as grocery store bleach, just in a stronger concentration. Is the choice of which to use simply a financial one -- which is less costly, given how much of each liquid I'd have to add to the pool? It seems like the risk of a leaking liquid chlorine jug is greater since they're re-used over and over, and the higher concentration is more toxic, whereas the grocery store bleach is brought home, used once, then pitched into the recycle bin. It's easier for me to go to the grocery store, too, as they open early and stay open late, 7 days a week.
Generally pool store chlorine is less expensive here in Florida than bleach is. The carboys usually do not leak. (I have filled enough of them up myself when I worked in the biz. NOT a fun job in the hot summer sun!) The one point to remember is that the stronger the bleach the faster it loses strength. 12.5% really is not any more 'dangerous' than 6%. You need to treat all pool and household chemicals with respect. However, we tend to think of our common household products like bleach and baking soda as 'safe' because they are familiar.
For example, did you know that baking soda is actually more toxic than cyanuric acid (CYA)?
Thanks for your guidance, Waterbear. You've earned the site's $14 subscription fee. :-)

Ironic thing is that I am a moderator on a completely different pool and spa forum! I hope Ben appreciates it!

[famousdavis]

Waterbear,

I tested with the K-2006 kit this morning. TA is 90, pH 7.4, CH 280, FC 7.0 (the pool's still coming off Sunday's shocking), CC 0.5 (I didn't re-test CYA because it uses so much reagent).

This weekend, when I have the pros re-test the water, I'll test my CYA and do what's necessary to boost up the CYA so I can keep the FC around 4 PPM.

I got the idea that you shock a pool on a regular basis because the Pinch-a-Penny test results print-out says that that's one of the ABC's for a healthy pool -- you shock it once a week. I'm intrigued that you and others don't do this, yet don't have troubles with your pool. I thought that over time the combined chlorine becomes a problem, so shocking weekly pretty much elminates any CC you have in the water? If you only shock when the CC reaches some threshold, what is that threshold?

[BigTallGuy]

I just posted this in another thread about an hour ago. Please read.

Absolutely, You need Stabilizer. Here is a bit of a testimonial. Being a real card carrying "Big Tall Dumb Guy" with a SWCG, my scatter brain told me I didn't really care too much about the CYA (stabilizer) levels. So when I replaced my pool liner last year and installed a SWCG, I added some CYA but not enough. My Chlorine levels were good with my CYA at 25 - 30 PPM, AND ALL SEEMED GOOD.

After all, my chlorine is FREE, Right? Wrong! Chlorine isn't "free" when you have to run your pump twice as long to keep the Chlorine levels up (NOT TO MENTION BURNING OUT YOUR CELL).

I had to run my system for 7 hours a day to keep from running out of chlorine at sunset. I decided to stop being so stupid and I raised my CYA to 45 ppm and I am now running my pump for 4 hours a day. The $10.00 bottle of stabilizer will save me hundreds (Plural) yes hundreds of dollars in electricity.

You can learn a lot from a BIGTALLDUMBGUY!

[famousdavis]

"You're starting to believe, but I don't think you're quite there yet."

You're right. The proof (for me) will be how this forum's methodology holds up in *my* pool, right? But everyone here has convinced me that I don't have to blindly and ignorantly follow a local pool store's advice on how to care for my pool (for which I heartily thank you!). Moreover, you've raised an interesting, viable alternative that I'm willing to try -- keep up my CYA level, keep up my FC level, watch over my CC level, and shock only when the pool needs to be shocked. Doesn't have to be once a week. Doesn't have to be once a month, even. Just when I need it.

So, I'll give it a go. My "insurance policy" against algae, though, is that I'll still add a maintenance dose of polyquat each week. The relatively low cost of doing that gives me peace-of-mind. What I need to work out now is how much time the SWCG needs to operate to keep up the FC level. Over this week and next, I should be able to nail that answer down.

[waterbear]

I just posted this in another thread about an hour ago. Please read.

I raised my CYA to 45 ppm

NOW raise it up to where it SHOULD be (around 80 ppm), drop you TA to 70 if it is higher than that, and start saving money on acid and maintenance and stop being a big tall dumb guy and become a big tall smart guy!