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worldprecipice

Silver Supporter
May 19, 2021
14
Mississauga, Ontario
Hello fellow TFPers,

I'm new to having a pool. Initially, I engaged the services of a pool company but after I saw their technicians work, I decided to explore further and found this community. I've acquired a TF100 kit and done some tests, but I'm at a loss to what to do from here.

Here are the pool details:

Dimensions: 16 x 32 x 9' (at deepest)

Pump: Hayward C48J2N131B3
Filter: Sand
SWG: Pentair Intellichlor IC20

The pool was pretty bad in terms of leaf debris, rotten leaves - I've been cleaning it (both manually and with dolphin robot), and it looks to be getting better. Also, I've been running the pump 24 hours.

TF100 Results

pH: 7.2
TA: 130
Ca: 600
CYA: 30
Salt: 2800
FC: 0.5
CC: 0.5
TC: 1.0

I'm using the TFP Calculator - do I just follow its recommendations with respect to adding salt, liquid stabilizer for CYA, etc.

I've read that I shouldn't add everything at once - is there a specific order I should adjust things - for example pH and then CYA and then TA, etc.

Thank you.

WP.
 
worldprecipice said:
do I just follow its recommendations with respect to adding salt, liquid stabilizer for CYA, etc.
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Welcome to TFP! :wave: At times yes, but if there are any concerns for algae, that would change things. It sounds as if you have taken over a pool that had/has algae right? If so, and there is still green or cloudiness, don't add any CYA for the SWG yet. A CYA of 30 is a perfect level to start the SLAM Process to kill all algae. Your pH is at the perfect SLAM starting point as well. All you need to do is increase the FC to 12 per the FC/CYA Levels and maintain it until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. Use liquid chlorine or regular bleach to maintain that elevated FC level. Once you pass all 3 SLAM criteria, then we can help you balance all the numbers to retain crystal clear water. But look over that SLAM page link and let us know if you have any questions. Nice job with your TF-100! :goodjob:

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Thank you so much for replying.

I've reviewed the SLAM process - based on the TFP Calculator, I need to add about 5 jugs of bleach (4 gallons, 3 quarts) to reach FC of 12 from 0.5. Do I add them all now, or would I add 3 gallons tonight, measure FC tomorrow morning, and add remaining?

Thank you.

WC.
 
worldprecipice said:
Do I add them all now, or would I add 3 gallons tonight, measure FC tomorrow morning, and add remaining?
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Actually a little bit of all of the above. :) First add enough to get the FC to 12 now and retest/adjust against before bed. Then test in the morning and try to test every 2-3 hours during the day if you are home. If you work, just adjust and pick-up when you get back. At some point you'll see a pattern of how fast the FC drops between testing and learn to anticipate how often to test and about how much chlorine you will need. The overall key to the SLAM is to maintain the proper FC level as best as you can until you pass all 3 criteria.
 
An update...

I was cleaning all day today and started the SLAM at 6:30 PM. I just tested FC again at 8:30, and it's still 0.5. I'd added 5.2 jugs of bleach based on Pool Math. Should I add that much again now? Or did I test too early after adding bleach.

Thank you!

Edit: A question - when I'm adding R-0871, do I keep adding until the solution goes clear the first time? For example, in my test, after one drop it gets clear. But if I wait a couple of minutes, the pool water turns pink again. Thanks again!
 
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worldprecipice said:
started the SLAM at 6:30 PM. I just tested FC again at 8:30, and it's still 0.5.
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That's a large drop in just two hours. Yes, definitely add more chlorine to keep it at the SLAM FC level - "12" I believe it was for you? The early SLAM organic material will tear-up chlorine, so you may need to test a bit more frequently here in the beginning, then it will stabilize. So add some chlorine to an FC of 12 and test again in about 20 - 30.

As for the FC test, it will go slightly pink if you let it sit. Ignore that. Take your first reading then you can toss the sample.
 
I added another 5.2 jugs, waited 25 minutes and measured FC. It's at 5 ppm now (as of 11:00 PM).

Should I add more bleach to bring it back to 12 or test in another 40 minutes and adjust as needed? Thanks!

Edit: I turned off the SWG before beginning SLAM. When would I turn it back on? After the 3 SLAM tests pass? TIA!
 
Yes, you'll want to increase the FC as soon as you see it falling as your schedule permits. Not much you can do when you have to leave home for a while. But an FC of 12 is the bullseye until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. We generally leave the SWG off during the SLAM since it's not desgned to product that much FC and the liquid chlorine/bleach is doing all the heavy-lifting to kill the algae.
 

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As an update, I've now measured and added bleach 3 times today (6:15 AM, 8:30 AM, and 11:00 AM). In my last test, the FC was at 9.5 ppm and CC was 0.5 ppm. I don't see the pool getting clearer however, though I suspect it'll take time. I'm thinking of getting some DE and adding a little to increase my sand filter efficacy.

I wonder, should I purchase the other items to balance CYA, TA, CA, etc. later in the weekend in anticipation of getting through the 3 criteria's? Thank you.
 
It's not going to hurt to have that stuff on hand, but clearing your pool is likely going to take some time. It took some time to get fouled, it's going to take some time to get clear.

Pool Owner Patience is the key ingredient now. Keep doing what you're doing.
 
Hey WP and Welcome !!! All of the above is GREAT advice. It’s good to get a head start on the chemistry, the sooner that you get chlorine working to kill all the baddies, the better, but that being said..... your biggest priority (or sister priority) is getting the gunk out. As long as it’s there it will chew through your FC making it less potent to kill the stuff in the water itself.

Scoop, scoop and scoop some more. Vacuum what’s left and/or brush it to a general area and then scoop/vac it out. It’s tedious and you’ll stir up almost as much as you net, but it has to go.
 
Another update:

The pool is looking much clearer than ever with a nice blue color. Clarity is great but I'm having a hard time deciding what crystal clear means. I can see the robot when he's cleaning in the deep end.

In terms of FC changes, in 5 hours, the total FC goes from 12 to 8 or so. Does this mean there are still lots of organics in the water? We're having a ton of pollen, leaves, and other tree stuff falling, which we skim frequently. I wonder if this affects the results.

When would be a good time to do the overnight test? I'm thinking of continuing SLAM tomorrow, and then do the test tomorrow night. Also, maybe I will do the full gamut of CYA, pH, TA, Ca tests too.

Thank you!
 
worldprecipice said:
Clarity is great but I'm having a hard time deciding what crystal clear means. I can see the robot when he's cleaning in the deep end.
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I have been slamming my green monster for 6 weeks... clear is seeing the bottom of the pool like a magnifying glass. Several times throughout my slam I thought I knew what clear was but when it sparkles you will know it.

the hard thing is that even when it sparkles you may not be done... that is only one of the goals of the slam... still trying to get past my oclt
 
To anyone following or reading in the future, there is zero harm by holding SLAM for an extra day for insurance purposes only. It requires almost no effort with the FC holding but makes absolutely sure you got it all. :)
 
Morning update: Success!!! Overnight FC drop was 0.5 ppm, CC is 0.5 ppm and I can see the bottom clearly!

Right now FC is 11 ppm.

I reviewed the SLAM document again but don't have an idea on what my next step should be? Should I measure CYA, TA, Ca and pH and adjust to proper levels, connect back the SWG, and let the FC level naturally come down now or in the evening?

It's exciting to see progress. Thank you very much for all your help!
 

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