How often and how much chlorine do y’all have to add to SWG pool?

[howdy!]

Just curious…
How often do you add chlorine to your pools in the summer months with SWG?

Just did my test today. I typically do them once a week, but might need to consider 2x a week. FC levels was 0. Need to add 1.5 gallons of bleach or so. Also, looks like my pool builder left the SWG a little rich and we are high on our salt levels when testing with my TF salt test kit. I dialed it back a little bit tonight. First time the pH has gotten up there, too.
P
Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

How often do you add chlorine to your pools in the summer months with SWG?

Never.
What SWCG do you have? At what % generation and run time do you use?

 

[pjt]

Chlorine levels were 0

looks like my pool builder left the SWG a little rich
I dialed it back a little bit tonight.

Those two statements are contradictory. Why are you reducing your SWG output when you have no chlorine?

How are you testing?

 

[howdy!]

Pump runs from 12am-8am daily.
SWG was set to 75% but had low numbers. It was bumped it up to 90% and now a little to high, might need around 80%. Not sure if it’s better to run the pump longer at a lower % or shorter at a high SWG %.

I did some searches here to see if y’all still added chlorine to salt pools and was under the impression that you do. Might be wrong? Still trying to learn all this. Y’all have been a great help!

 

[howdy!]

It’s a Hayward turbo cell. T cell 940

 

[howdy!]

How are you testing?

Using the TF test kit. Typically I test in the morning. But didn’t today, but did this last test at 8:30pm

 

[mknauss]

You need to run the SWCG at 100% for at least 12 hours per day. That will add 3.7 ppm FC to your pool.

 

[Jimrahbe]

looks like my pool builder left the SWG a little rich and we are high on our salt. I dialed it back a little bit tonight.

Howdy,

You do understand that the SWCG makes chlorine and not salt. Right???

Are you running your pump from noon to 8 am, or from midnight to 8 am?

At 100% your cell only makes .29 ppm of chlorine per hour. So, 8 hours will only give you a 2.32 ppm increase in your FC. Most pools use 2 to 4 ppm of FC per day.

As long as the flow switch is closed, chlorine production is not changed by the speed of the pump.

You should NEVER have to add chlorine to your saltwater pool unless something is wrong.

We'd be glad to get you pointed in the right direction.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[howdy!]

Sorry..misspoke. Yes, I have learned about SWG and how they work and how much everyone here raves about them. That’s why I had one installed. Just wasn’t sure why my FC was so low.

Pump runs from 12am-8am.

I’ll change it tonight to run from 10pm-8am. Making run time 12 hours and change the % back up to 100%.

But if I’m already at a high salt level (3,800), how do I need to adjust that to get more around 3000-3200?

Also, do y’all prefer to run a single long cycle 8-12 hours at once or break it up 4-8 hours 2x a day?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Howdy,

The SWCG does not make salt!!! If has nothing to do with the amount of salt in the pool water. If you want less salt, you will have to drain some water.

I suggest you just leave it at 3800 as it will come down over time on its own.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Agree, leave it at 3,800 and it will come down over time with splashing, backwashing, etc.

While I do not add liquid chlorine on a regular basis, I did purchase 2 gallons at the start of swim season just to have on hand. I've used a little over 1 gallon after heavy bather loads, friends with kids, etc. this year. Not really needed, but I like dosing the chlorine on those high demand events and letting my SWCG handle the normal bather loads.

In our area, your SWCG will shut off due to cold water, typically around Dec to March. During those times I will use liquid chlorine or tabs in a floater (only if my CYA is on the low end of normal).

 

[pjt]

I’ll change it tonight to run from 10pm-8am.

That's only 10 hours.

do y’all prefer to run a single long cycle 8-12 hours at once or break it up 4-8 hours 2x a day?

What pump do you have? Please add details to your signature. Use other posters' signatures as an inspiration. A quality VSP at low speed can be operated constantly for a few dollars a month.

 

[gingrbredman]

How often do you add chlorine to your pools in the summer months with SWG?

I only had to add it once, and for the same reason as @JJ_Tex. I had my SWCG set on the low side of chlorine output, right about the time peak season was coming, and had a big party. Full sun for days, a lot of swimmers, and chlorine came down more than I wanted, so dosed a little bit with liquid, and bumped up my percentage to peak season numbers, and off to the races. Normally, most owners of a salt water pool will not need to add liquid chlorine. SWCG's are great for maintaining a constant chlorine output, but not good when you need a quick boost.

But if I’m already at a high salt level (3,800), how do I need to adjust that to get more around 3000-3200?

This

The SWCG does not make salt!!! If has nothing to do with the amount of salt in the pool water. If you want less salt, you will have to drain some water.

There seems to be a little confusion on the salt vs. chlorine, but to be sure it is understood.... The SWCG cell takes the salt that is in your water, and converts some of it to chlorine, and that chlorine eventually turns back into salt. This process repeats all day long so your system is using the salt in the water and chlorine is being produced. This happens as long as the water is moving enough through the cell. If your cell needs 12 hours at 100% to keep up, run it that long.

The overall amount of salt in the water can not be "controlled" or "adjusted" by any piece of equipment, and doesn't lower unless it is splashing out, or drained somehow. The production of chlorine from salt does not reduce the amount of salt in the water.

While 3,800 is on the higher side, by no means is it out of control and agree with everyone above who suggest leaving it alone. Adjusting the output percentage of your SWCG and run time is the focus.

 

[howdy!]

What pump do you have? Please add details to your signature. Use other posters' signatures as an inspiration. A quality VSP at low speed can be operated constantly for a few dollars a month.

Done.
I have a Hayward Tristan VS 950

 

[proavia]

Done.
I have a Hayward Tristan VS 950

Pump specs, along with other equipmemt specs still not showing in signature.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature