1st Time SLAM

[Dan P]

Hello all. Noticed pool water was getting cloudy after heavy swim load and did the overnight test last night. Last night's test was FC3, this morning FC1 turning the SWG off. Decided to start the SLAM this morning.
After SLAM results:
FC 30, added too much bleach initially.
TA 100
PH 7.2
CYA 70
CC .5
Tested 6 hours later, FC was at 18. Added pool calculator recommended bleach to get FC to 24.
How long do I need to keep the FC at 24?

 

[Texas Splash]

Dan, keep SLAMming until:
A. CC is 0.5 or lower;
B. You pass an OCLT (ie overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less);
C. And the water is clear.

Until then, don't let that FC drop below the SLAM-recommended level (28).

Stay at it!

 

[Dan P]

Thanks for the info. Should I keep my SWG running as usual during SLAM?
Water Temp: 88, don't know if the temp affects the SLAM

 

[JVTrain]

SWG should be off. No need to use it, save the life on your salt cell and stick to the bleach. Especially during the OCLT the SWG needs to be off to get an accurate test. Temp shouldn't affect SLAM much.

 

[Dan P]

Turned SWG off. I need to add about 20 lbs of salt to the pool. Is it ok to add while SLAMming to take advantage of the SWG being off?

 

[Dan P]

Water has been clear so far. Here are some numbers.
Last test yesterday FC28, first test today FC21. I've gone through 12 gallons of bleach so far.

 

[AimeeH]

You should be fine to add the correct amount of salt while slamming. Assuming you are keeping pump running 24/7 while slamming. Keep your FC at slam level for your CYA until all three tests are passed. Test as often as you can and keep bringing it back up to that with bleach.

 

[Azgirl71]

It should not hurt to add salt, but remember bleach adds salt too so I would wait.

 

[AimeeH]

Bleach adds a very negligible amount of salt to the pool. 1000 oz of 8.25% bleach in a 13000 gallon pool would raise salt by about 84ppm according to pool math. If the SWG needs salt, depending on the SWG it probably needs several hundred to 1000's ppm added to bring it up to where it needs to be.

I wouldn't hesitate to add salt if the SWG needs it. Use pool math to make your decision.

 

[Dan P]

Just did a test, 3 hour interval. 8:30am FC 21 added 135oz of bleach per pool calculator. Test at 11:30am FC31. Why did it shoot up past the target of FC28?

 

[Azgirl71]

Do you have the correct gallons and % bleach entered in pool math.

 

[Fungi]

Make sure your water sample container is clean, not just rinsed, but scrubbed totally clean. Take your chlorine test asap after retrieving your sample. I had been using a small water sample container that wasn't cleaned properly and had it's own chlorine demand. This caused the chlorine to read lower than it really was and was worse the longer it sat before taking the readings...

 

[Dan P]

Numbers entered correctly, will clean sample bottle on next check.

 

[Patrick_B]

Water testing protocol in a professional environment dictates rinsing all sampling and testware three times with sample prior to sample gathering and testing. Doing that helps too. It takes very little sample to rinse testwares for proper rinsing just FYI.

 

[Dan P]

After 4 hours, lost 4ppm FC. From 31-27 and added bleach according to calculator. Is 4ppm loss common, SWG off?

 

[Texas Splash]

I don't think that's unreasonable given the fact that the chlorine is working not only against contaminants in the water, but also being effected by the sun. Regardless, keep at it until you pass the three SLAM requirements. Takes some patience, but you will be glad when it's over.

 

[Dan P]

Took off the light fixture and cleaned around it today, didn't notice any algae. I took a look at the plastic hand held on my sheer descent and saw algae behind the silicone holding it to the plaster. I took them off and scrubbed the wall to get rid of any residue. Been SLAMming since Wednesday night and have still been losing way to much chlorine overnight.
8:30am FC 23
12:30pm FC 26

 

[Azgirl71]

When you test overnight loss make sure you test after sun is down ans as the sun is just starting to come up for loss.

 

[Dan P]

Getting frustrated. Pool has remained clear and have maintained CC .5 but haven't passed the overnight test. I noticed the steps at the lower entrance were a little slimy on the corners and brushed them. I have been brushing once sometimes twice a day since starting SLAM. Between the steps being slimy and not being able to pass the overnight test is starting to take its toll. Need advice please.
Last test results:
FC 27.5
CC.5
CYA 70

 

[Azgirl71]

All you can really do is keep brushing the steps. You could do a dilution of bleach water and try brushing them with that.