switching to saltwater

[mrsmatthews]

I what to see it anyone can help me out. We used the 3inch tabs last year. I like to switch to a saltwater. Like to know if I need to do anything difference. When me get ready to open the pool for the summer. we have a 24 feet round 52 deep.

[kelemvor]

Basically your SWCG becomes your chlorine source. You still need to test regularly and adjust the swcg's output accordingly. You'll also need to pay careful attention to pH since SWCG will make it rise as the device operates. Of course you'll need to maintain your salt and cyanuric acid (cya) level at the manufacturers recommended value. You can do that with aquacheck salt test strips or a Taylor k-1766 kit for the salt. I check my salt only every few weeks. Salt doesn't get used up, you'll only lose it due to splashout or leaks. I have splashy teenagers so I have to add salt a few times a year. Many people don't.

Just keep in mind that going SWCG doesn't mean you can forget about your pool. You still have to monitor your other levels and adjust accordingly. SWCG probably won't be saving you much money if any, but it means sanitizer becomes much less of a chore to stay on top of. I guess that makes it sound like I don't like swcg, but I love mine. If I go out of town for a week or two it hasn't been a problem for me. I go out and test my clear pool and make adjustments when I get home.

Staying on top of that pH for me is the greatest concern. High pH can lead to scaling which is merely unsightly in the pool but it can become a big problem in your plumbing and especially your heater (if you have one).

As far as opening your pool goes, I would open normally. Get everything right before you add the new SWCG - then do the switch. SWCG is good for maintaining your chlorine levels and preventing the need to shock, but if you were to need to shock you would still do it with liquid chlorine or bleach (sodium hypochlorite) same as always.

[mrsmatthews]

thanks you help.

[CarlD]

I'm in the process of switching to SWCG as well. I have the plumbing done. I just now need to hook up the electrical and mount the panel...and add salt to my pool. I have a Taylor test kit and it reads 600ppm. So I've got 400# of salt in my truck to add.

It's not a cost savings. The salt cost alone is about a season's worth of chlorine. It's the convenience because I cannot test the water everyday.

[BigTallGuy]

Congrats Carl, I hope you enjoy the SWCG. How's it going so far? I agree completely, it is a bit of a money pit to be honest, but I wouldn't trade it for any other method. Once you get through the learning curve, it is simply wonderful.

[JimK]

I'm in the process of switching to SWCG as well. I have the plumbing done. I just now need to hook up the electrical and mount the panel...and add salt to my pool. I have a Taylor test kit and it reads 600ppm. So I've got 400# of salt in my truck to add.

It's not a cost savings. The salt cost alone is about a season's worth of chlorine. It's the convenience because I cannot test the water everyday.

I agree all things considered (cost of unit, cells, etc) it's not likely you would save much, if any, over more traditional methods. However, cost of salt isn't a big deal. While you may have to add several hundred pounds initially, after that its just a matter of maintaining the level. And as mentioned, salt is only lost when you lose water due to splash out, back washing to waste, lowering the water level due to excessive rain, etc.

[CarlD]

No way the math works out to save me money versus daily checking and using LC. The initial cost of the SWCG would buy me 10 years of chlorine--15 if I had had someone else install it. Plus a new cell every 5 years costs about the same as 5 years of LC, so it's NOT a cost savings in any way, shape or form.

But, I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks at a time this summer and I won't always have someone to add half a gallon of LC every two days, so this gives me a MUCH easier to maintain pool when I cannot give it daily attention.
While my water is great (FC: 12.5, pH: 7.3, T/A:70, CH: 150, CYA: 70) I still have to work out the optimal settings..otherwise it's going great!