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    CarlD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    I'm no SWG expert but after reading hundreds of posts it is clear that SWGs require higher-than-normal CYA levels--80ppm being about the recommended level. If you have the SWG's manual, read it--it should tell you.

    If your pool is uncovered, that would explain the rise in pH--you've somehow been aerating it and that raises pH.

    A CC of .5 may actually be only .2--did you re-do the test using 25ml of water instead of 10ml? In that case, each drop of the re-agent only represents .2ppm, not .5ppm. Clearly, .2 is STILL only an indication of the maximum the CC can be.

    You MAY want to briefly raise your SWG level to kill any CC you have--0 is the best number. Or you can shock the pool with bleach or liquid chlorine. Also, you should also find that with your SWG you can keep your FC at a lower level than the "Best Guess" table indicates--because the chlorine levels are far most constant, plus the salinity is a growth inhibiter for algae.

    I hope this helps a little.
    Carl

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    Quote Originally Posted by CarlD View Post
    I'm no SWG expert but after reading hundreds of posts it is clear that SWGs require higher-than-normal CYA levels--80ppm being about the recommended level. If you have the SWG's manual, read it--it should tell you.
    Depending on the manufacturer it is usually anywhere between 50-100 ppm with 60-80 being the most common. In actual practice 80 ppm works out well unless there is a lot of sun in such places as Florida, Arizona, California, etc. Then bumping it to 100 has been found beneficial.
    If your pool is uncovered, that would explain the rise in pH--you've somehow been aerating it and that raises pH.
    SWGs areate the water by producing hydrogen gas at one of the electrodes when they are generating. This causes CO2 to outgas and the pH to rise. This is why running a very low TA helps with pH stability.
    A CC of .5 may actually be only .2--did you re-do the test using 25ml of water instead of 10ml? In that case, each drop of the re-agent only represents .2ppm, not .5ppm. Clearly, .2 is STILL only an indication of the maximum the CC can be.

    You MAY want to briefly raise your SWG level to kill any CC you have--0 is the best number. Or you can shock the pool with bleach or liquid chlorine.
    Not needed, Just turn the unit on and the CC should be gone in abourt 48 hours.
    Also, you should also find that with your SWG you can keep your FC at a lower level than the "Best Guess" table indicates--because the chlorine levels are far most constant, plus the salinity is a growth inhibiter for algae.
    With a CYA of 100 keep the FC at about 5 ppm.
    I hope this helps a little.
    Hope this clears some things up.
    Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    Evan knows this stuff for SWGs better than I do. I was close, of course, on most of the numbers but he KNOWS much more precisely what they should

    However, I DID forget that SWG pools frequently experience rising pH so you end up adding a good bit of muriatic acid to get them back down. I thought it was just due to the out-gassing of an uncovered pool with a lot of natural aeration....my bad!
    Carl

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    Thanks Carl & Evan. Just the info I needed! My previous pool and I had a nice "understanding" and we got along just fine with no problems...also an inground gunite, although with a different finish, and the same brand SWG.

    But this pool is in a totally different environment, so I'm not as confident in my approach, especially when the CYA is approaching 100 whereas my last pool ran nicely at about 60 - with SWG. From my limited experience, I think there's a sweet spot with every pool where it likes to settle, as far as readings are concerned. I knew my last pool...now I just have to get acquainted with this one.

    And, Evan, you mean this isn't the rainy season yet???!!!
    Sandy
    15,600 gallon, screened 15x30 IG plaster sport pool with 6x8 tanning area, Aquarite SWCG, Hayward cartridge filter, Polaris 280 cleaner

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    Quote Originally Posted by dawndenise View Post

    And, Evan, you mean this isn't the rainy season yet???!!!
    Wait unti Octoboer! Good new is once Hurricane season is past just about all of Florida is considered high dessert!
    Where in FL did you end up? The rains are worse in land than on the coast, IMHO.
    Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    Fort Walton Beach area...sandwiched between Pensacola and Panama City. While we're not right on the coast, we're less than 20 miles inland. Wish I could say I lived in Destin, but no such luck...great beaches though!

    Update...SWCG is back on and chlorine is holding at about 8-9. I'll try to let it drop a bit further toward your recommendation of 5, but I found out that the prior owners had a nasty attack of black algae prior to moving out. Seems that a pool company was called in and had to do a whole lot of scrubbing (with dichlor???) to get rid of it. So far, the pool is nice and clear and I plan to keep it that way!
    Last edited by dawndenise; 08-16-2009 at 02:07 AM. Reason: addition
    Sandy
    15,600 gallon, screened 15x30 IG plaster sport pool with 6x8 tanning area, Aquarite SWCG, Hayward cartridge filter, Polaris 280 cleaner

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    Default Re: Am I on the right track? New home w/pool

    If and when your pool is fully clear and clean, you should start adding Polyquat 60% as a preventative. You could add about 1/2 quart to start, then add 2oz every week and that should inhibit the black algae getting started again. Polyquat is easily recognizable by the contents: 60% poly...(something unpronounceable).... as the active ingredient. If you see something else and you DON'T see this, it ain't Polyquat 60%. Sometimes it's labled as algaecide, sometimes as Mustard Algaecide, sometimes as black algaecide. I don't care what they call it as long as it's got the 60% poly......

    Then you may be able to lower the FC safely. Beware, though: A heavy dose of Polyquat--like a half quart to a quart--will cause your FC to drop like a stone over the next 24-48 hours. Don't worry--with the SWG or shocking it will come back up. Just don't back wash for a couple of days.

    And the Poly acts as floc treatment, too.

    Good luck!
    Carl

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