Phosphates

[ethany]

Opening late this year is costing me a fortune. I opened about 3 weeks ago. Between that and not following the proper way of SLAMing ( stopping too soon).

I have another question ......I realize you have to get cya in the water ASAP when you first open. But we also need to backwash quite often. I guess what I’m asking is how not to waste too much money......LOL

 

[ping]

The pool will hopefully have some CYA left over from the winter. If the CYA is 0 upon opening then you might have some issues to deal with. The ideal CYA level to complete a SLAM is 20-30 range as it will take less chlorine to reach SLAM levels and still be protected from the sun.

 

[ethany]

I’m almost ready to give up on slamming and buying phosphate remover. I went through 20 gallons plus in the last couple days with no end in sight. I never had an issue like this in the 15 yrs I owned this pool. The water is crystal clear yet I’m still losing chlorine.

With my cya of 80 I’m spending a fortune on bleach. I never used a Phosphate remover before but I’m getting pretty desperate.

 

[ping]

Stay the course, phosphate remover removes phosphate not algae.

You have only been SLAMming for 3 days, make sure the FC stays at or above the target FC level for the SLAM.

If you want to use less bleach then do a partial drain to lower the CYA.

 

[Richard320]

I’m almost ready to give up on slamming and buying phosphate remover. I went through 20 gallons plus in the last couple days with no end in sight. I never had an issue like this in the 15 yrs I owned this pool. The water is crystal clear yet I’m still losing chlorine.

With my cya of 80 I’m spending a fortune on bleach. I never used a Phosphate remover before but I’m getting pretty desperate.

Better read the directions for Phos-free before you pour it in. Especially the part that says

Important: Algae must be treated prior to testing and lowering phosphates. Chlorine must be under 5ppm before testing phosphates.

Phosfree | Backyard Water Care | Natural Chemistry​

 

[ethany]

I dropped my cya down to 50. Hopefully I’m done slamming soon. Almost two weeks now

 

[domct203]

I dropped my cya down to 50. Hopefully I’m done slamming soon. Almost two weeks now

Following this thread, you’ve been SLAMming for 7-8 days, how does the water look?

What is your daily FC loss?

How often are you testing and dosing during the day?

Are you brushing daily?

 

[ethany]

I’m losing 6-7 ppm per day since dropping to 50. I been dosing at sunrise n at 5:00 pm. I’m working 6 days a week now so it’s hard to do more often.

The water loooks great. That’s the frustrating part. Also I guess I’m frustrated because I never had an issue like this. I’ve slammed in the past and by the time the water was looking this good I was done.

 

[ethany]

Is it ok to use my robot cleaner while slamming?

 

[domct203]

Sure, you can use the cleaner.

What is preventing you from ending the SLAM? CC greater than 0.5ppm? Can’t pass an OCLT? It sounds like the water is now clear.

 

[ethany]

Sure, you can use the cleaner.

What is preventing you from ending the SLAM? CC greater than 0.5ppm? Can’t pass an OCLT? It sounds like the water is now clear.

I can’t pass OCLT

 

[mknauss]

Now that your CYA is lower and you can SLAM at a lower FC, you may find you can pass the OCLT. The FAS-DPD testing at very elevated concentrations of FC will have error (just from sample size and reagent drop size each time at the least) such that it can easily be off 1 ppm when testing.

 

[ethany]

Lost 7 ppm over night

 

[Leebo]

If it were me I’d take a step back as it sounds like something is off here. A few quick questions,

1. What test kit are you using?
2. Can you post a photo of your pool?
3. Can you post a complete set of test results?

 

[ethany]

If it were me I’d take a step back as it sounds like something is off here. A few quick questions,

1. What test kit are you using?
2. Can you post a photo of your pool?
3. Can you post a complete set of test results?

FC-22
Cc-.5
Ph-over 8 (I assume it’s high since I been slamming for some time)
TA-also High
Ch-250
Cya-50

I’m using a Taylor K-2006 kit

 

[Catanzaro]

I think I’ll call it the “OCGT”, or Overnight Chlorine Generation Test” LOL

I like it!

- - - Updated - - -

Lost 7 ppm over night

Three items come to mind.

1) Are you 100% certain of the size of your pool?
2) Have you checked the Julian date on the bleach? Were did you purchase it, and where is it stored?
3) The most important question. Who is testing your water? If you are, please advise of the test kit and how old the reagents are?

Something is definitely off for your water to look clear and loose 7 ppm overnight. This means you are loosing more during the day.

Question: how much bleach are you adding, and when are you adding it?

Sorry, to long to read through the entire contents.

 

[ethany]

Ok for those following this post.......I’m finally done slamming. It’s been a real head scratcher this year. The big lesson I learned was to get cya in the water but keep it around 50 til slamming is complete. And stay the coarse......