Raising chlorine levels with an Intex SWCG

[Androski4]

Hi there, I have an intex ultra frame 22"x 52" round pool and a Krystal clear sand filter pump 14" & saltwater system( model cs 15110). The pool has been up for about 3 weeks. I followed the start up directions in the saltwater system manual, added 2.2 pounds cyanuric acid & 260 pounds of salt. My test strip results show that the chlorine levels are too low. Last week, I added 3 gallons of regular bleach to help raise that, but chlorine levels are still low. I'm running the SWCG for 10 hours every day.
My test strip results for this morning show...total hardness-100 ppm, total chlorine-1 ppm, free chlorine-1 ppm, ph-8.4, alkalinity-180ppm, stabilizer- 60 ppm.
Suggestions, please?

[PoolDoc]

membership updated.

1. Do not depend on the SWCG, until you have everything stabilized. Small pool SWCG are usually only adequate to maintain chlorine, when everything is up, running and working well.

2. Get a kit. Strips do NOT count. You can use one brand of strips for salt, but ONLY that brand. See the link in my signature.

3. Replace your cartridges with better ones. It's not actually necessary yet, but you'll save money over the summer AND have an easier time maintaining a clearer pool. Links below.

4. Get your pH down, ASAP. Use muriatic acid. Link in my signature.

5. Chlorinate with bleach for now. You don't have to turn off the SWCG, but don't depend on it.

6. If you have access to a Sams Club, buy their 24# bagged shock -- it's undiluted dichlor, and will (a) raise chlorine, (b) tend to lower pH, and (c) add stabilizer.

7. Read the Best Guess page -- you MUST understand that, to get good results from your small SWCG. Link in my signature.

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+ The OEM cartridges in Intex / Summer Escapes / etc. filters are not high quality. The Intex manuals recommend replacing them completely every 2 weeks. A BETTER option is to replace them permanently with 2 - 3 Unicel cartridges, and rotating them through a cleaning solution. Properly maintained, the Unicel cartridges will last all season AND will filter better. So even though they cost more per cartridge, they cost less per season! Learn to maintain them, by reading this post, Cleaning-your-Cartridge-Filter-wiithout-Damaging-It!

But, purchasing them is tricky. Amazon does not consistently stock them, and some of the 3rd party sellers are charging high prices and/or high shipping. So, check the Amazon link, but watch out for the prices and shipping costs.

It would be nice if you could just buy them elsewhere, but many of the online pool stores are listing Pleatco or other Asian made low quality filters, as "Unicel C-4607 type" or "fits Unicel C-4607". So shop carefully!

Here are the Amazon links:

Unicel C-4607 Replacement Filter Cartridge (Easy Set Size A or C) @ Amazon
Unicel C-5315 Replacement Filter Cartridge for 15 Square Foot Intex B Filter @ Amazon

[Androski4]

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I got some muriatic acid and added about 1/4 gallon per your instructions. My filter is a sand filter, so I don't need to order the upgraded cartridges.

I have the SWCG pump running on its boost/shock cycle (4 times the normal run time, so 40 hours straight). Will get a bag of the shock from Sam's club later this week. Thanks again for the help!

When should I test the water again...now that I've added these things? I'm assuming that I should give them time to circulate before I test again. Is two hours too quick?

[PoolDoc]

22' diameter pool? I'd probably allow 4 hours to get full mixing.