New 40k gallon Saltwater pool/jacuzzi owner

[CarlD]

(Sigh!) Yes, you should be able to EASILY change your cell. If you don't have cutoff valves on either side of it, you'll need to plug the return first and, if you have a sand filter, turn it to "CLOSED". In other words, you don't want to have a flood. BTW, 4-5 years of life for a cell is normal, so that's reasonable.

As for the lights, I can only guess. He may WELL need to replace the whole fixture--if it's leaking.

You should start reading here about pool maintenance. Go to our sister site Poolsolutions.com and read!
Also you should get a good test kit. We recommend the Taylor Technologies K-2006 and K-2006C (same, just larger amounts of test chemicals). Your pool service will hate us!

[PoolDoc]

. . . membership updated.

Matt, I checked the address you registered with in Google Maps (I do this to exclude bogus registrations and spammers). See if Google has your house correct. If that IS your pool, unless the Google photo is WAY distorted, your is not close to 40,000 gallons. Measure the length, average width, and the depth 3' from the wall at both ends . . . and I'll help you come up with an approximate volume.

[CarlD]

Matt,
Just did a DUMB thing that you should avoid: When changing the SWCG cell, only hand-tighten the new cell in, don't use a wrench.

Today, I did just that and cracked the top union ring (facepalm). Luckily, Autopilot (my SWCG brand) has seen this many, many times and rather than having to replace a $500 cell, they make a replacement repair kit for roughly $20....but now I have to wait for it to be shipped...

[PoolDoc]

Arg-g-ghh!

[CarlD]

I did say a number of unprintables! LUCKILY the repair kit is a split ring and hose clamp. Still....

[Matt -- HB Cali]

Matt,
Just did a DUMB thing that you should avoid: When changing the SWCG cell, only hand-tighten the new cell in, don't use a wrench.

Today, I did just that and cracked the top union ring (facepalm). Luckily, Autopilot (my SWCG brand) has seen this many, many times and rather than having to replace a $500 cell, they make a replacement repair kit for roughly $20....but now I have to wait for it to be shipped...

Thanks for the tip Carl. Luckily I don't think I own a wrench that large so that shouldn't be too much of a problem for me.

-Matt

[CarlD]

Thanks for the tip Carl. Luckily I don't think I own a wrench that large so that shouldn't be too much of a problem for me.

-Matt

In 12 years I never broke one, and today I broke 2! One on the cell, and another ball-valve union. Luckily for the second, I had a duplicate one and could even reuse the O-ring. Water pump slip-joint pliers can work on them, and there's a Channel Lock Oil filter/PVC pliers that's great--but that's what I was using. The Schedule 80 rated ball valve unions are tougher.

[JimK]

In 12 years I never broke one, and today I broke 2! One on the cell, and another ball-valve union. Luckily for the second, I had a duplicate one and could even reuse the O-ring. Water pump slip-joint pliers can work on them, and there's a Channel Lock Oil filter/PVC pliers that's great--but that's what I was using. The Schedule 80 rated ball valve unions are tougher.

Now you have me scared! I've always used channel locks to tighten the cell just little more than I can with my hands without any problems. Let's hope this season my luck doesn't run out (I plan to open the pool in a couple weeks).

[CarlD]

Well, the repair kit came the next day (thanks to Salt Pool Guys) and went right on nicely! We were leaving the next day and the next morning the salt level was high enough to leave it running...in the Bahamas at the moment for a week and we have a really Really, REALLY large zero-maintenance tidal salt water swimming pool here...

[Matt -- HB Cali]

. . . membership updated.

Matt, I checked the address you registered with in Google Maps (I do this to exclude bogus registrations and spammers). See if Google has your house correct. If that IS your pool, unless the Google photo is WAY distorted, your is not close to 40,000 gallons. Measure the length, average width, and the depth 3' from the wall at both ends . . . and I'll help you come up with an approximate volume.

Hi Ben,

Yes, google maps has it correct. I was told by the pool guy that it's around 40k gallons, which is why it requires a T-CELL 15. I'll see if I can take measurements like you suggested later tonight. I would like to know for my self the approximate size of the pool. Maybe I only need a 5 and can save some more money there, who knows. How do I add the jacuzzi into the measurement since it pours right into the pool? It's not too big of a jacuzzi but should comfortably fit 6-8 adults.

Thanks,

-Matt