SLAMING our pool with no test kit

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

Hi guys. I need your advice. We have some algae growing in our pool. We have an in line chlorinator and so, we increased the chlorine tablets to help get rid of it, but it hasn't and now the water isn't too clear. Our CYA levels are also pretty high (93).

So we decided to SLAM, but we don't have a test kit (bought one, soonest it will come is on Wednesday; for reference today is Saturday). We have been testing our water with Leslie's. Our recent FC level is 2.1, TAC 2.9, pH 7.7. Our phosphate levels are also pretty high at 1554.

So I used the pool math calculator and just put in 7 gallons of liquid chlorine 10% (we have approx. 22,000 gallons of water). I was going to test the water through Leslies until our test kit arrives, and top it off with chlorine as necessary.

Couple of questions:
1) Should we be concerned that our pool equipment will be damaged?
2) Anything else I can do other than brushing/vacuuming daily, to ensure SLAM success?
3) How long does SLAM process typically take?
4) Any other helpful suggestions or feedback?

Thanks so much!

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
1) Should we be concerned that our pool equipment will be damaged?

See next answer...

thumpaulina said:
2) Anything else I can do other than brushing/vacuuming daily, to ensure SLAM success?

STOP. You cannot slam until you have a proper test kit. Yes, you can damage equipment and hurt people. You DO NOT KNOW your CYA. We have helped numerous pool owners that used pool store testing, only to find out their ACTUAL CYA was 50% off. If your CYA is actually 40, 32 FC is not safe for people or equipment.

I would wait until your test kit gets here to start slam.

You may add 5ppm PER DAY of liquid chlorine starting tomorrow afternoon.

thumpaulina said:
3) How long does SLAM process typically take?

Totally pool specific...can be 2 days can be 2 weeks.

thumpaulina said:
4) Any other helpful suggestions or feedback?

Be patient. You can do more harm charging ahead.

Sincerely,
PoolStored

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

No one is swimming in the pool throughout this process. I already added the 7 gallons

We have the Leslie's test strip. Is that a bit reliable?

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
We have the Leslie's test strip. Is that a bit reliable?

Those are worse...throw them out. I know you want this fixed...NOW!!! We've all been there, done that. It just takes patience to follow the process. You gotta have a test kit...

Take a few of these, follow the instructions on the label. When your test kit gets here we will help you fix this...PROOF...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

proavia · Jun 3, 2023

Test strips and pool store testing is unreliable.
Heed the advice provided by @PoolStored .
Wait for your test kit to arrive.
In the mean time, add 5ppm of chlorine daily.

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
I already added the 7 gallons

It will get consumed.

Tomorrow afternoon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you may add 5ppm of liquid chlorine. Nothing else until the kit arrives.

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

I already added the 7 gallons though (welp). So what should I do then? Should I top off with tap water?

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

PoolStored said:
See next answer...

STOP. You cannot slam until you have a proper test kit. Yes, you can damage equipment and hurt people. You DO NOT KNOW your CYA. We have helped numerous pool owners that used pool store testing, only to find out their ACTUAL CYA was 50% off. If your CYA is actually 40, 32 FC is not safe for people or equipment.

I would wait until your test kit gets here to start slam.

You may add 5ppm PER DAY of liquid chlorine starting tomorrow afternoon.

Totally pool specific...can be 2 days can be 2 weeks.

Be patient. You can do more harm charging ahead.

Sincerely,
PoolStored

I already added the 7 gallons of chlorine prior to posting this question though (help!)

What can I do now?

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

PoolStored said:
It will get consumed.

Tomorrow afternoon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you may add 5ppm of liquid chlorine. Nothing else until the kit arrives.

Thanks! I forgot that it will get consumed.

Should we still brush and vacuum daily? Do you recommend to test the water from leslies or just forgo that?

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
I already added the 7 gallons though (welp). So what should I do then? Should I top off with tap water?

There is nothing you can or should do. It will likely get consumed over the next 24 hours.

The point is that we don't want to do any harm. The way we do that is with proper testing, knowing what we are adding and why. Your pool will be fine.

Deep breath, all is good. We will help you fix the green. Scroll through this and think of future days...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
Thanks! I forgot that it will get consumed.

Should we still brush and vacuum daily? Do you recommend to test the water from leslies or just forgo that?

And how do I compute how much 10% liquid chlorine to add to equate to 5ppm? (22,000 gallon pool)

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
Should we still brush and vacuum daily?

Sure! What kind of filter do you have? Clean/backwash it. Note filter pressure. When it rises 25% over clean pressure, clean it again. Brush.

thumpaulina said:
Do you recommend to test the water from leslies or just forgo that?

My name is PoolStored. Ask a silly question, get a ????
Don't go back. We got you.

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
And how do I compute how much 10% liquid chlorine to add to equate to 5ppm? (22,000 gallon pool)

OUTSTANDING QUESTION!!!!

Download this and configure your pool...use the "effects of adding" function. Link-->PoolMath

Use pool math, post your own answer to the question. Do it now and I'll confirm your answer...

thumpaulina · Jun 3, 2023

PoolStored said:
Sure! What kind of filter do you have? Clean/backwash it. Note filter pressure. When it rises 25% over clean pressure, clean it again. Brush.

My name is PoolStored. Ask a silly question, get a ????
Don't go back. We got you.

Aww thanks! That's so nice

My husband actually has been doing the perfect weekly from leslie's. Hopefully after this algae clears up, I'll be able to convice him to trust y'all.

When should we worry about the phosphate levels?

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
When should we worry about the phosphate levels?

With TFP? Never.

PoolStored · Jun 3, 2023

thumpaulina said:
My husband actually has been doing the perfect weekly from leslie's. Hopefully after this algae clears up, I'll be able to convice him to trust y'all.

Show him this thread...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

PoolStored · Jun 4, 2023

thumpaulina said:
My husband actually has been doing the perfect weekly from leslie's. Hopefully after this algae clears up, I'll be able to convice him to trust y'all.

It's just a very dilute phosphate remover, Lanthanum Chloride (lacl3) Hydrate 2.86%

https://lesl.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/Pool%20Perfect%20+%20PhosFree%20MSDS

As long as you maintain adequate FC for your CYA, you won't get algae no matter how high your phosphates, so you don't need it.

Read this. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

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