The saltwater chlorinator needs a sufficient flow of water for effective operation. A dirty skimmer basket, clogged or dirty filter, and a clogged pump strainer, can cause insufficient water flow for the chlorinator to produce less chlorine.
The easiest way to ascertain if the chlorinator is working is to make sure the cell is clean by checking the needle or production lights. Ensure there is enough salt in the pool. On the chlorinator box there should be a light or dial that indicates it is working.
A very low water level in the canister indicates the presence of air. Restarting the pump with the lid removed and allowing the canister to fill with water and purge the air may restore flow through the system. After the canister fills with water, the lid should be reinstalled.
If the tablets are not dissolving, and you get a strong smell of chlorine when you open the chlorinator, you probably have a bad check valve in the chlorinator. It is not allowing any water to move through the chlorinator, and any water that is there simply sits there and builds up a yellowish chlorine gas.
Your salt levels will vary depending on the type of chlorinator you have. If you're using the Water TechniX Salt water chlorinator then you should try to aim for a salt level of around 3,000 to 4,000 ppm.
The unit can clog with scale, but it won't if you regularly clean it. Clogs can also occur in the control valve when you vacuum the pool, and airlocks can develop inside the cartridge. Clogs and airlocks restrict water flow, and the pool chlorine levels will fall.
Small 20g chlorine tablets will dissolve slowly over a period of 3-7 days depending on water flow, water temperature and hot tub usage.
Typically, a 3-inch pool chlorine tablet is designed to chlorinate from 7,500 to 10,000 gallons of water per week, meaning it'll take seven days to dissolve.
Properly stored chlorine tablets should last three to five years. The storage site should be cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as in a basement.
Highly excessive salinity levels (over 6,000 ppm) will cause corrosion damage to metallic equipment, such as ladders and handrails. This is true because salt doesn't wear out, break down or evaporate; Turn the pump on and run until you reach the desired water level.
Overall, you need to run your saltwater generator and pool pump for at least 8 hours daily. Not running either of these long enough means not enough chlorine to sanitize the water. Remember, the pool pump needs to be running simultaneously with the chlorine generator for the salt cell to produce chlorine.
Saltwater Chlorinators use an electrolytic cell to sanitise your swimming pool. By adding a small amount of salt (sodium chloride) to your pool water, the cell converts the chloride contained in the saltwater into chlorine. This is an extremely efficient and cost-effective method of sanitising your pool.
The cold water, anything below 65°, has an impact on the ability of the chemicals to dissolve properly. I would recommend using liquid chlorine if you have to shock in lower temperatures. You can dissolve granular shock in warm water. Perhaps it will work if you completely dissolve it before adding it to the pool.
Chlorine pucks also allow you to manually control how much chlorine is in your pool's water. It is usually 1 chlorine puck for every 5,000 gallons of water.
Tablets will last approximately 5-7 days depending upon temperature and amount of water flow.
In most cases, you're best off with 3-inch chlorine tablets, as one single tablet can treat up to 5,000 gallons of water. On the other hand, 1-inch tablets contain far less chlorine (about half as much as 3-inch tablets), so they're better suited for smaller indoor pools and spas.
It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals. You should wait 2-4 hours (or one full cycle through the filter) to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool. It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.
Add one tablet for every 5,000 gallons of water and always round up. For example, if your pool has 21,000 gallons of water, add five tablets per week. If it has 8,000 gallons, use two tablets.
Distilled white vinegar or muriatic acid (diluted) also works. Rinse the chlorinator with a hose and return it. Adjust the water chemistry to the required levels. Run the chlorinator and retest the water after a day (you should notice the chlorine has increased.
Make a cleaning mixture of 1/10 parts Hydrochloric Acid to water (always add Hydrochloric acid to water). Turn the filtration system off. Remove Salt Cell from the housing. Add the Salt Cell to the cleaning mixture making sure there is little to no contact with the terminals.
2700-3400 ppm is the idea recommended levels. However, the reading can go up to 4000 ppm before the Hi Salt light appears. The unit will still produce chlorine until the reading goes above 4000 ppm and the GENERATING light usually will go off.
The pump and filter system should be allowed to run for at least 24 hours after the superchlorination process has been initiated.
It is essential to keep your chlorine levels between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million to maintain a clean and well-balanced swim environment. To keep your pool running optimally, you will need an automatic pool chlorinator to make your life a little easier.
How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.