AutoPilot Question (just ordered)

[jmcst25]

Hello

I just ordered an Autopilot Dig-60 - planning on installing myself.

What is the target (ideal) range of chemicals.(i.e. CYA, Salt, other if important). Currently 30K gallon IG vinyl BBB. FC 4, PH 7.2, Alk 90, CYA 30; CH 180 Temp 86). I'm hoping to add the salt and get chemicals inline ahead of recieving the shipment.

Also -- what is the best way to add the intial load of salt? (broadcast, premix in bucket, etc) Any other advise on adding salt helps.

Any install advice appreciated.

Thanks again for all your help in advance.

[Poolsean]

Other than the Cya, all other chems look good.
Get your cya to about 60 - 80 ppm. The formula is 1 lb per 5,000 gallons increases 25 ppm. For 30,000 gallons, needing to increase 30 - 50 ppm = 7 - 14 lbs of stabilizer.
I'd shoot for adding 10 lbs and retest after a week to see where you're at.

For adding the salt, I'd recommend to turn your pump on, open your bottom main drain, then add the salt in the deep end and over your main drain.
For 30,000 gallons, you'll need to add approximately 750 lbs of salt.
The granular salt dissolves quickest. The solar/water softener salt comes in pellets or flakes and take longer, but should be added the same way.
ALL AT ONCE.
After adding the salt, take your wall brush and push all the undissolved salt to the main drain. This will help accelerate the salt dissolving.
The granular salt will have sucked into the system through the main drain and dissolved fairly quickly.

Allow your pump to continue running for a full run cycle (so it's best if you add the salt at the beginning of your pump run cycle....or simply override your time clock for a day of operation.
This spreads the salt evenly throughout your pool.

Once complete, readjust your bottom main drain valve to your previous setting to draw from your skimmer too.

That's all.
(and thanks for selecting Pool Pilot)

[jmcst25]

Sean

Thanks - You are a primary reason I selected Autopilot.

For clarification - when you say ALL AT ONCE -- do you mean all 750 lbs? Or can I add in smaller increments & let it disolve. I figure I have a week before the cell arrives -- and I was going to buy salt in multiple trips from Home Depot.

Also - what is the recommended salt PPM -- what does 750 lb equate to for testing purposes.

Thanks again

Jim

[Poolsean]

You choice. I'm just saying that if you wanted to add all at the same time, that's not a problem. You can add it slowly over the next week, that's fine too.

The 750 lbs is to get the salt level to 3000 ppm, starting from 0 ppm.
As you're a BBB user, you should check your salt level first, then add only what is needed.
There is no problem with oversalting the pool though, so I'm not too concerned with telling you to add 750 lbs. Higher salt actually feels better (to me).