Target ph or CYA first

[pjt]

I am planning to add back bleach until i really see the bottom

Maintain SLAM FC until you meet ALL of the exit criteria. No shortcuts. Water should be crystal clear before exiting the SLAM.

 

[hirenkg]

Any CYA measurement between multiples of 10 are rounded up to the next higher multiple.
CYA reading between 30 and 40 is rounded up to 40.
SLAM Process level for CYA 40 is FC of 16.

Yes, It’s holding good at 16. Today water level was low so I have filled in water. And will need to get more liquid chlorine.

 

[duraleigh]

I noticed bit of algae coming back today on stair case and little inside the pool with FC of 8.5 ppm, So, I am planning to add back bleach until i really see the bottom, both at near and far end.

I guess my CC should be 0 for a week and under SLAM to justify myself it's done.

CYA - 35, pH - 7.2 CC - 0.5

The SLAM article is VERY specific about the factors required to be finished. Follow the SLAM article to the letter......you are NOT done,

 

[hirenkg]

Today I checked CYA and it increased from 31 to 40. I did add 1.5 inch of water today as I loose roughly half inch each day, and two pucks on Sunday thinking that will help clear up cloudy water.

What could have caused such an increase in CYA?

Yesterday's Reading - FC - 15 CC 0.5 pH - 7.4 TA -70
Today's Readings - FC- 10.5 CC - 1.0, pH - 7.2, TA - 60, CYA - 40

 

[proavia]

Today I checked CYA and it increased from 31 to 40

31 and 40 are exactly the same for TFP purposes.
If CYA measures over 30 and 40 or less, your CYA is 40. Don't try to read between the lines on the test tubes.
For CYA, always round up.

The pH test is invalid anytime the FC is above 10.

 

[hirenkg]

Calculate how much MA needed to bring your pH to 7.2, add that and then wait for the ph to rise again to 7.8 -then repeat that again, and keep doing that cycle until your TA is at most 100

Pool Water is starting to get clear. Though I feel it will be still few days to see the deep end. I see the mention about pH to bring up to 7.2

My current pH is 7.7, does that mean i should try to lower pH to 7.2. I may have to use pH down, as I still have lot of it left.

 

[mknauss]

If you are still in the SLAM process, no need to test anything but FC. Once you pass all three criteria, then adjust the other parameters.

The pH test is not valid if your FC is above 10 ppm.

 

[Sunny Blues]

Pool Water is starting to get clear. Though I feel it will be still few days to see the deep end. I see the mention about pH to bring up to 7.2

My current pH is 7.7, does that mean i should try to lower pH to 7.2. I may have to use pH down, as I still have lot of it left.

No that advice was because your first post said your TA was 200. But throughout the thread it appears it was actually lower or you successfully lowered it? So if your alkalinity is actually around 60-80 right now, you’re fine and your pH is fine and you don’t need to lower it. No need to bring it down.

BUT … if your water is “starting to get clear” but you still can’t see the deep end, it means you’re not done with the SLAM. You really need to maintain slam levels every day until you are perfectly clear. While you are at slam levels any test for pH is unreliable. Get the water perfectly clear and then let the chlorine settle to the target range for your CYA level, and then retest your pH for an accurate reading. If it is between 7.4 and 8.0 your fine, and your lower alkalinity level of 60-80 will help it to fluctuate (rise) less often.

 

[hirenkg]

Now I have passed all the three criteria's and able to visibly see the deep end.

CYA - 25, CC - 0.5, FC - 9

Please recommend a pool robot as my 6 year old Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robots stops after running for half hour. Not sure if that's okay. I guess will need to get a new one. Any recommendations would be appreciated

Also, What should be my ideal CYA, pH and Alkalinity be , especially as i am planning to go on vacation for two week in mid June. I will have service guy come once for maintenance, and plan to add pucks/powdered shocks.

 

[pjt]

able to visibly see the deep end

The water needs to be better than just seeing the deep end. Is the water crystal clear? If not, maintain the SLAM.

Here's the clarity you should see:

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

What should be my ideal CYA, pH and Alkalinity be

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[hirenkg]

Really good to see the deep end finally, and was a worthwhile journey with SLAM process here with TFP. Does this mean i am finally done with the process?

Should I target this numbers post SLAM? CYA - 50(by adding pucks), pH - 7.2, TA - 60, CC - 0. Or just not make any change from my current levels to ensure least maintenance. i found the phosphates was at 250 levels this week.

Thank you once again to help me with this journey.

 

[PoolStored]

Did you pass all the SLAM criteria?

CYA 30-60 is fine. Let pH rise to 7.8. With TA 60, if you try to force pH below about 7.8, you will continue to reduce TA. Let pH sit between 7.8 and 8.0 with TA 60. Phosphates don't matter, ignore them. If you don't have a phosphate drop test at home, stay FAR away from pool store testing.

 

[hirenkg]

Yes. I passed SLAM Criteria. My current levels are pH -7.8, TA - 60, CYA - 40.

That's why I was asking what should my next step be, and Is it okay now to use 1 puck every 3 weeks as regular maintenance?

 

[PoolStored]

Is it okay now to use Cal-Hypo shock and pucks cautiously as regular maintenance?

Sure, as long as you know it adds calcium. And calcium can only be removed by replacing water. At high levels of calcium, even a vinyl pool can scale (fairly rare).

 

[pjt]

That's why I was asking what should my next step be

Your pH and TA look great, and CYA 40 is fine for your climate. It's critical now to abide by the FC/CYA chart. For CYA 40, your target FC is 5-7. Aim towards 7 and consider 5 your FC floor.

Is it okay now to use 1 puck every 3 weeks as regular maintenance?

What kind of puck? (Trichlor or cal hypo?)

 

[hirenkg]

What kind of puck? (Trichlor or cal hypo?)

Trichlor pucks. It says 2 pucks will increase CYA to 7ppm for 10k pool.

 

[pjt]

Trichlor pucks. It says 2 pucks will increase CYA to 7ppm for 10k pool.

Be smart about puck usage. Don't let your CYA get much above 50.