When can I start my SWG? Heater?

[JonnyG]

The pool builder said to wait 4 weeks to start my SWG. I have a new 30,000 gal shotcrete pool with white plaster. I have been scrubbing the plaster for two weeks and running the filter 24/7 for about 8 days. The pool water is clear (has been since I added the water) and there is very litle sediment in the pool (I have vacuumed twice to get out the dust that has blown into the pool). Pool chemistry is good but still waiting on Ben's kit to confirm everything. The filter is running very clean - about 1 or 2 psi up from its starting point.

So do I really need to wait 4 weeks to start my SWG? Should it be 4 weeks from the time the water went in the pool? or 4 weeks from the time the filter started running?

Same question for my heater - when can i run that?

Thanks all fo ryour advice

John

[EricF]

Maybe others know better, but I started my SWCG within a week of opening the pool. Yes the calcium levels were high from the plaster, but this did not visually cause increased scaling on the cell. The heater (I have the same model as you) I did not use right away because it was not necessary, but I would have used it also after a week of balanced water.

I also have a hint that might save you some money on heater repairs. The electronic circuit board in the control panel on my heater corroded after 1 season. The cost to replace just the panel is over $500! This is about 1/3 the cost of the entire heater! Luckily, mine was replaced under warranty. What I am doing this year is when the heater is not being used, and after closing for winter, I remove the panel and store it in a cool, dry place. The connectors on the back are plastic plugs that can only be reattached in the right place, so they are fairly idiot proof (which is good for me).

I hope this will make the panel last much longer.

Good luck.

33k gunite rectangle
Aquarite SWCG
Laars LX400 natural gas heater
Triton II sand filter

[duraleigh]

Jonny,

Have you put any Cl in your pool? A complete set of test results would be very helpful.

I would reconfirm from the builder what he wants you to do and why and I would follow his guidelines to ensure your warranty.

[JonnyG]

Thanks for the info! Good info on the circuit board. My numbers for the pool are very good - I am at work but heres my recollection

TC=FC= 2-3 ppm
CYA = 20 ppm
PH = 7.6
ALK = 140
CA=don't have test kit yet but was "good" according to pool store
No metals detected (I have sequestering agent in the water)

The pool has been stable at these levels for about 1 week. I am using the BBB method (most Bleach & muratic acid so far).

Thanks
John

[duraleigh]

Hi, John,

Good numbers...thanks.

You might double check with the SWG manufacturer. I think most of them like CYA around 80.

Call that builder and see if his reasons for waiting make sense.....you may be good to go now.

[EricF]

Just checked the aquarite manual- It recommends 10-14 days after plastering before adding salt. As I said, my builder added it after 1 week and have not seen any bad effects (yet, its been 3 seasons). Maybe the builder is just being cautious. If you are maintaining the Cl without the generator easily, there is no problem in waiting.

Eric F

[JonnyG]

You want me to ask the same pool builder (well really one of his employees) that told me the Nature2 they added to my pool equipment was like a big "Brita" filter and would remove metals from the water? When in actually I came to find out that it "adds" metal to the water

I am sure the builder's people are just doing what think is right without really understanding any of the details or background. The people I am able to deal with seem fairly non-technical.

In all fairness, I called and actually spoke to somone at the pool builder who seemed knowledgeable and she actually told me the truth that the Nature2 adds metal to the water. The pool company I am dealing with is too big for me to trust anyone that I can actually speak to.

Anyway, I am going to start the system up over the weekend. Worse case is I get a little less life out of the cells. This goes for the heater also. Gonna start running that before it gets too hot to make real difference - lol

Thanks much for the help!

John