CC not lowering after almost week of SLAMing

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sayneigh

Member
May 21, 2021
7
Oxford/PA
PoolRegiment.jpg

4th season with this pool. Past 3 years I would open, SLAM for 2 days and CC would go down to 0. This year I am on day 6 and my CC wont go below 0.6. Pool pump I've been running about 16 hours/day. Overnight FC loss has been around 1.5. Water is clear. Slight hint of chlorine smell. Closed the pool with a CYA of 90 and opened with 50. Tested water for ammonia with aquarium kit and came back between 0.0 and 0.25. Probably closer to .10ppm.



Will I ever get that last 0.6 of CC out? How long to keep SLAMing? Any other chemicals to try and get rid of CC? Any insight would be appreciated.
 
Welcome to TFP! :wave: Good to see an accurate testing history. :goodjob: You're using liquid chlorine/regular bleach correct? No Clorox bleach, or anything scented or splashless? Overall, it appears the SLAM Process needs to continue. While you had relatively quick openings in year's past, many owners note that one "odd year" where all the wheels come off for some reason. No real explanation. But between the elevated CC and overnight loss, there is still something brewing. A few items to consider would be:

- Test as much as needed to maintain the FC level (doesn't seem to be a problem for you).
- Be sure the FC is at the proper FC level based on the CYA per the FC/CYA Chart. Also seems good as long as the CYA is actually 50 and not higher.
- Inspect, inspect, inspect. Algae is a sneaky and can hide anywhere. Things like behind a light, liner folds, in the skimmer, or under a main drain cover. If you have a ladder or steps in the water they should be out of possible. Those are always algae homes.
- Circulation; be sure the chlorinated water is moving well in all areas
- Finally, brush all surface areas to break-up any organic biofilm. Vacuum as needed and backwash/clean filter when pressure increases by 25%.
 
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Thanks for the reply.

Yup. Regular chlorine. No scents. Made for pool use.
I do have my ladder in. I did clean it once, but I will take it out and clean it again. I'll leave it out to avoid any more variables. I'll be sure to brush everything I can again.

Is there a limit to when you should stop SLAMing and take another course of action? Let's say I do this for another week and I am still at the same test levels. Is there a point where you are just beating your head against a wall?
 
sayneigh said:
Is there a limit to when you should stop SLAMing and take another course of action? Let's say I do this for another week and I am still at the same test levels. Is there a point where you are just beating your head against a wall?
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In very rare cases there may some other anomaly that almost defies standard pool care but it's just that - rare. In 99.9% of the cases we see, there was either a small bit of undetected algae somewhere, the CYA and/or FC testing was off, or we learned later about an unusual product added to the water that impacted results. I would stay the course. One day perhaps double check the CYA to ensure you're FC is high enough. Exposed algae simply can't survive in water with a properly elevated chlorine level.

full
 
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I've included an updated schedule. I ordered some standard 50ppm CYA solution from the TF store and saw my CYA is more like 40 than 50. I also ordered all the other standard solution just to double check chemicals and everything seems to be good. I stopped SLAMing on the 29th. I've been maintaining good FC levels, but I have a question about the CC. It's under the requirement of .5 to stop slamming, but will it ever get to zero? I've never had a year like this so I am unsure. If it stays around .3 to .4 at what level should I SLAM again? Thanks for any help.


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How are you getting 0.3, 0.55, 0.35, etc? None of those results for CC are possible.

There is no need to test FC/CC with 25 ml of water. Use 10 ml, one scoop of R0870, and each drop of R0871 to clear is 0.5 ppm FC.

Your CC, if 0.5 or less, using a 10 ml water sample, is not significant. Try cleaning your test vial with bleach. The CC tested may go away.
 
I'm using a 10ml sample. Those numbers are just shade of pink as I see them. Like if its darker pink and I know its going to take a full drop to change color it would be a .5 If its a very light shade and would probably only take half a drop I'd say its .25. It's just for my own sanity. Every once in a while ill confirm with a 25ml sample to see how my eyeing of shades is doing.
 

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Nope. All is well. Water is good. I was just trying to learn some things about water chemistry and what could be in there to make it stay at a very low level. I haven't really dug deep into this topic and saw there was some pretty informed people on here that knew a lot about water. Just trying to learn some stuff.
 
sayneigh said:
Nope. All is well. Water is good. I was just trying to learn some things about water chemistry and what could be in there to make it stay at a very low level. I haven't really dug deep into this topic and saw there was some pretty informed people on here that knew a lot about water. Just trying to learn some stuff.
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Got it. I have read that leaks can cause algae problems. But I'm sure you would also have noticed a bigger water bill.
 
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