Hi TFP gurus! I am mid-SLAM and I have questions!
1. Vacuuming to waste. Several posts I've read said to vacuum to waste to get rid of the dead algae and other debris. My vacuum is integrated to the pool and runs into the filter. If I *can* vacuum to waste, I don't know how. I usually just leave my vacuum in the pool all the time, and it runs when the pump is on high or medium. Then I clean out the filter basket at the pump weekly or more often if needed. Is there something different I should be doing here?
2. Related: I see people talk about needing to backwash the filter in the midst of a SLAM. Since I have a cartridge filter, I don't backwash. My pressure is not climbing...do I need to break down the filter and clean the cartridges during or after the SLAM?
3. This is really more of a chem geek question. I looked in that forum area and couldn't find the answer but I'm sure this has been answered before. What is the science behind the shock level of chlorine during a SLAM? I see that SLAM level of FC is about 40% of CYA, but I am wondering why. For this SLAM, I am reading my CYA at 60. If I misread my CYA test, and my CYA is really 70, then I am short on chlorine. Will the SLAM still work, and just take longer? How did the level of 40% get settled on?
Thanks so much for the help. I've included a couple of pictures of my pool...it's very clear, but I lost 3.5 FC overnight, so I know I'm not done yet.
1. Vacuuming to waste. Several posts I've read said to vacuum to waste to get rid of the dead algae and other debris. My vacuum is integrated to the pool and runs into the filter. If I *can* vacuum to waste, I don't know how. I usually just leave my vacuum in the pool all the time, and it runs when the pump is on high or medium. Then I clean out the filter basket at the pump weekly or more often if needed. Is there something different I should be doing here?
2. Related: I see people talk about needing to backwash the filter in the midst of a SLAM. Since I have a cartridge filter, I don't backwash. My pressure is not climbing...do I need to break down the filter and clean the cartridges during or after the SLAM?
3. This is really more of a chem geek question. I looked in that forum area and couldn't find the answer but I'm sure this has been answered before. What is the science behind the shock level of chlorine during a SLAM? I see that SLAM level of FC is about 40% of CYA, but I am wondering why. For this SLAM, I am reading my CYA at 60. If I misread my CYA test, and my CYA is really 70, then I am short on chlorine. Will the SLAM still work, and just take longer? How did the level of 40% get settled on?
Thanks so much for the help. I've included a couple of pictures of my pool...it's very clear, but I lost 3.5 FC overnight, so I know I'm not done yet.