SLAM Assistance Needed

[dielseman]

Hi there,

I had a big algae bloom due to getting a water feature fixed and overflow from the water feature into the pool.

I'm now in day 4 of the slam process and the water is still very hazy. Aside from running the pool pump 24/7, I have been testing chemicals daily, vacuuming with the robot, brushing, and skimming.

Chemicals:
FC: 5
PH: 7.2
CYA: 50
TA: 100

Overnight FC loss was about 3 PPM.

What are the thoughts? Do I just need to keep running the pump 24/7? Alternatively, I run the filter daily for 8 hours. Is the only way to clear this up by running the pump continuously?

Thank you,

 

[Texas Splash]

The most significant item I see is that your FC is way too low, and not following the basic principle of the SLAM Process. According to the FC/CYA Levels, with a CYA of 50, your SLAM FC should be "20". That's the FC you need to maintain as much as possible while you do all the other tasks on the SLAM Process page. Very critical.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Are you using Liquid Chlorine to chlorinate during the SLAM process? How often have you tested and added it per day while SLAMMING?

Maddie

 

[GrandizerGo]

SLAM level for 50 CYA is 20 ppm FC. Regular maintenance is 6-8 ppm FC. What is your CC testing at? How are you dosing chlorine?

 

[dielseman]

The most significant item I see is that your FC is way too low, and not following the basic principle of the SLAM Process. According to the FC/CYA Levels, with a CYA of 50, your SLAM FC should be "20". That's the FC you need to maintain as much as possible while you do all the other tasks on the SLAM Process page. Very critical.

I'm using liquid chlorine and adding 32 ounces at a time of 10% Hypo. I've already added 2 gallons since starting. Do I need to increase the to 20 PPM? I must've missed that.

 

[dielseman]

Are you using Liquid Chlorine to chlorinate during the SLAM process? How often have you tested and added it per day while SLAMMING?

Maddie

Morning and night.

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I need to increase the to 20 PPM?

Yes. You need to maintain that elevated FC level of 20 as much as possible until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. Liquid chlorine would be best for this as it could take a while and cal-hypo will drive your CH higher and higher.

 

[dielseman]

SLAM level for 50 CYA is 20 ppm FC. Regular maintenance is 6-8 ppm FC. What is your CC testing at? How are you dosing chlorine?

Days 1-2 I was adding in morning and night. Days 3-4 just morning. How much should I be adding? I think that is where I'm getting confused. Also, do I need to keep the pump running 24/7?

 

[dielseman]

Yes. You need to maintain that elevated FC level of 20 as much as possible until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. Liquid chlorine would be best for this as it could take a while and cal-hypo will drive your CH higher and higher.

So I plug in target FC on pool math as 20. It says, I need to add 138 oz of 10% bleach. Is that correct? And is it best to do this all at once? Or wait until night?

 

[borjis]

You need to brush the entire pool every day. At least once daily. Twice is better. Scrape off the biofilm protecting it.

 

[bigevilgrape]

So I plug in target FC on pool math as 20. It says, I need to add 138 oz of 10% bleach. Is that correct? And is it best to do this all at once? Or wait until night?

Yes to running the Pump 24/7 until you pass all the criteria. You should add chlorine as needed to keep it at SLAM level for your CYA. Keeping the chlorine up in that high zone is whats going to kill the alge. Test, add chlorine brush repeat.

 

[dielseman]

Yes to running the Pump 24/7 until you pass all the criteria. You should add chlorine as needed to keep it at SLAM level for your CYA. Keeping the chlorine up in that high zone is whats going to kill the alge. Test, add chlorine brush repeat.

Does it matter if I add the chlorine now or during the night?

 

[mknauss]

Does it matter if I add the chlorine now or during the night?

Now. The M in SLAM is maintain. Raise your FC to SLAM level and maintain it by testing FC and adding more liquid chlorine to get back to SLAM level. At least twice a day. Preferably more often than that.

 

[dielseman]

I added 138 ounces of bleach to this to 20 PPM and have the pump running. Brushed as well.

Thank you

 

[mknauss]

I added 138 ounces of bleach to this to 20 PPM and have the pump running. Brushed as well.

Thank you

Great. Test the FC in a few hours and add liquid chlorine to raise back to SLAM level FC. Keep going until you meet the three criteria described in the SLAM Process

 

[dielseman]

Great. Test the FC in a few hours and add liquid chlorine to raise back to SLAM level FC. Keep going until you meet the three criteria described in the SLAM Process

Thanks! Should I also be running the pump for the water feature or just the pool pump?

 

[mknauss]

What kind of water feature? All systems should be circulated with SLAM level FC water.

 

[dielseman]

What kind of water feature? All systems should be circulated with SLAM level FC water.

Waterfall. So booster pump for spa should also be running?

 

[mknauss]

So just the spa spillover? Does it spillover with the filter pump? Your signature does not show a spa, etc.

 

[dielseman]

So just the spa spillover? Does it spillover with the filter pump? Your signature does not show a spa, etc.

Yes the spa is spillover. I fixed the signature. Thanks!