SWG & PH level....

[Looony2nz]

Think we found the reason our SWG wasn't producing chlorine???? (help me if I'm wrong here) (new pool, new plaster finish).....the PH was too high. It would be 8 and we'd lower it, but not enough and it would get back to 8 really fast, and I guess....??? it won't produce chlorine if the PH is too high???? does that make sense????
Ya think thats my answer?

[PatL34]

That is quite correct. SWGs or SWCs work best at 7.2 - 7.6 pH.

With a new pool and plaster finish you will be brushing the walls every day, vacuuming to waste, and adding Muriatic acid to keep the pH down.

Keep the CYA at about 50 - 60 ppm, and just persevere. Once the Cl starts to stay steady, you should be close to the end of curing.

There is a thread on SWG operation in this forum. Check it out.

Hope this helps.

Pat

[KurtV]

loony,
As your SWG is not producing any chlorine (and never has if I understand your situation correctly), I don't think high pH is the cause. It might limit the ability of the SWG to produce chlorine but I don't think it will preclude it from completely.

Did the builder's tech come out yesterday as scheduled?

[Looony2nz]

yes, he did come out, was even on the phone with Goldline at the same time. Seems Goldline was trying to blame the whole thing on water chemistry, but our guy wasn't totally convinced it was totally that. SO...he has us add acid to bring down the PH (a bunch), and more stabilizer I believe as well , even tho the level was "acceptable" . When he left the chlorine was way hi at 10 I think (not sure if he added more chlorine) and said he will be back in a week to check.
If some of this sounds off, its because I wasn't home, my husband was, and i'm trying to piece together some of the conversation in my head, but anyway we'll have more of an idea in a week if the SWG is making any chlorine now. the pool guy said don't touch anything, you'll be fine till I get back. SO for now we're waiting.....
thanks.......AND yes it seems that we weren't adding enough acid weekly. We were only adding a quarter gallon when we've figured out we need more like 3/4 gallon aweek for now.
We'll see.....

[Looony2nz]

[QUOTE=PatL34]
There is a thread on SWG operation in this forum. Check it out.


.....IN, this section?obviously? I'll have to go back further.
thanks

[PatL34]

I can assure you that when the pH is at 8, chlorine production is at an absolute minimum. What little that is produced is immediately used up before it can get into the main body of the pool.

The only way to find out if there is any Cl production, is to sample from one of the return jets. I use a 3/4" flexible hose pushed into the return, and the other end into a sample bottle, under water.

The cell could start scaling up making things worse, as it is a new pool.

The 10 ppm more than likely came from the liquid chlorine added. Until a complete water analysis is posted, everything is speculation at this point.

Keep on adding the acid to maintain the pH from 7.2 - 7.6, brush, brush, brush, and vacuum to waste. This will take time, so persistence is needed here. Hang in there.

Pat

[Looony2nz]

sorry, I gave incorrect info before when I said what the tech did when he came out. All he did was add acid to bring the PH down......VOILA.....THE Chlorine is now 10. (not from adding chlorine) Yes, too high, but with all the sun / heat we are having here, it will come down and we brought the output on the SWG down a hair.
The tech also added stabilizer.....he said don't touch anything until I come back (he'll be back Wed.) I think the problem was the PH was too high and the unit wasn't producing chlorine as someone mentioned.
We weren't adding enough acid weekly....only like 1/4 gall. Wasn't enough. We think that 3/4 gallon will do it....but not touching it now till he comes back to check.