SLAM for 13 days, when to stop?

[Nillawafers]

Hey all. I started with a green pool. It's currently sparkling and clear enough to see if a quarter is heads or tails. I have not done an OCLT, because I have been waiting for the algae to clear up from the bottom.

While it has gotten drastically better since the beginning, I am still vacuuming daily. Am I correct in understanding I need to wait until there is no algae falling out of circulation in order to do a OCLT and drop my level?

Don't know if my sig shows but I have a 3500 gallon vinyl pool. I use the Taylor 2006C, with the dpd test. I've been using 5ml instead of 10 to save reagent while I'm slamming.

Just want to get to the point where I am certain all algae is dead. Thx.

I use the app so should be able to see test results for last few days attached to my account.

 

[mknauss]

The debris should end if the algae is completely gone. Be sure to check any folds in your liner, etc.

I would say do an OCLT. It will give you a data point.

 

[Nillawafers]

The debris should end if the algae is completely gone. Be sure to check any folds in your liner, etc.

I would say do an OCLT. It will give you a data point.

Yeah, I think that may be a part I need to actually get into the pool and address, haha. The overlap that circles the perimeter is really hard to get with a brush. What a pain.

Last test was with 5ml, should I retest with 10 to do the OCLT?

 

[mknauss]

Last test was with 5ml, should I retest with 10 to do the OCLT?

Yes. Using 5 ml sample volumes injects a lot of error. I would suggest switching to 10 ml for awhile to be sure your data is good.

 

[Nillawafers]

Yes. Using 5 ml sample volumes injects a lot of error. I would suggest switching to 10 ml for awhile to be sure your data is good.

Soooo.... I never did an OCLT. I am in nursing school and finals week hit hard. I kept it at 20 and never let it dip below four. Still got lots of algae.

I did brush and there was some under the lip. I was hoping that was the solution. But the algae continued to accumulate.

Is it pollen perhaps? Here is what was stuck in the filter bag after vacuuming.
Algae? Pollen?

Obviously I actually need to do an OCLT now that I have the time an energy. I'll be doing that tonight.

 

[Nillawafers]

OCLT was 0 loss. 0.5 ppm CC. Do I continue shocking? Still stuff at the bottom of the pool.

 

[mknauss]

OCLT was 0 loss. 0.5 ppm CC. Do I continue shocking? Still stuff at the bottom of the pool.

Crystal Clear water is the first criteria to a successful SLAM. By stuff, is it material that if you get close with a broom or vacuum it poofs away? That is typically dead algae. It is best to maintain SLAM levels until you are able to vac that up and it not return.

 

[Nillawafers]

Crystal Clear water is the first criteria to a successful SLAM. By stuff, is it material that if you get close with a broom or vacuum it poofs away? That is typically dead algae. It is best to maintain SLAM levels until you are able to vac that up and it not return.

Is it typical to slam for almost an entire month and not have it go away?

It does poof away, but also is kinda weird looking, it gets caught in my vacuums filter too, dunno if it's a mixture of two things maybe. I linked a picture a few posts above.

A month long slam is running through my time and resources. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[mknauss]

It is up to you to continue. We just provide guidance based on past experiences. You are welcome to let the FC lower to target range and maintain it there. You will know in a few days if you have algae again.

If your vac picks up the material, that is good sign. Most dead algae is very fine and above ground pool systems have difficulty capturing it.

 

[Nillawafers]

Hmm. OK. Thanks for the advice. I think I will let it drop and see what happens to the water clarity.

Hopefully it is pollen, but also upsetting that it's always gonna be at the bottom of my pool if so!