Need Help!
- Thread starter Charity1981
- Start date
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- Tags
- algae green pool yellow dust
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
One of the best ways to tell is put the chlorine in that poolmath tells you to, to raise your FC Level to SLAM and test at 15-30 minutes later. If the second test is at slam level, then the pool volume is right/close enough.
In the end, it doesn't matter for the slam. You can fine tune size later. I *thought* I had a 36,000 gallon pool when I did my slam. I have come to learn it is a 31,000 gallon pool. Just keep the FC at the slam level.
In the end, it doesn't matter for the slam. You can fine tune size later. I *thought* I had a 36,000 gallon pool when I did my slam. I have come to learn it is a 31,000 gallon pool. Just keep the FC at the slam level.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Also, don't give up. We are all impatient. My slam took 5 days. Some have reported multi-week slams. I was very frustrated after 2 days.
If you need encouragement, read this thread --> TFP Clear - Let's see PICs!
If you need encouragement, read this thread --> TFP Clear - Let's see PICs!
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If you treat for more gallons (which usually happens) and have less gallons, You have extra chlorinated water. If anything it probably helped you
But measure to know how many gallons you need to treat both now and going forward.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
You are not doing anything wrong. It is a process, took 3-4 days for mine to clear. I didn't think it was working either.
I'm not sure if you are using sand filter or some other type of filter. Sand Filter slams take longer than other filters. Likely cartridges will also take longer (even when you are diligent with maintaining FC).
@mknauss may have a very valid point. That your filter is undersized (can't remove it quickly), or ineffective (can't remove it at all). You may have to clean the filter once a day, you may have to clean it once every two hours...all depends on how quickly they get dirty. Having a properly sized and equipped filter will make the slam easier and quicker. Likely should be on your upgrade list (I don't know what you have).
I'm not sure if you are using sand filter or some other type of filter. Sand Filter slams take longer than other filters. Likely cartridges will also take longer (even when you are diligent with maintaining FC).
@mknauss may have a very valid point. That your filter is undersized (can't remove it quickly), or ineffective (can't remove it at all). You may have to clean the filter once a day, you may have to clean it once every two hours...all depends on how quickly they get dirty. Having a properly sized and equipped filter will make the slam easier and quicker. Likely should be on your upgrade list (I don't know what you have).
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I want to take a moment to point out the helpful advice you’re getting from @PoolStored. He came in brand new and new to pools in June. 6 weeks tops. But had to SLAM and look at him now. Is there always more to learn ? Sure. But he’s got quite the firm grip already. (Poolstored…… Bravo !!!)
But the best part of the SLAM is the trial by fire education you are getting on chemistry. It’s school of hard knocks, don’t get me wrong, but it’s an accelerated course that would have taken much longer if you were learning at your liesure. And you’re killing it !!! Straight As and tons of extra credit hitting it as hard as you have.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
@Newdude Thanks. Trying to give something back for all the help.
Book you might enjoy --> Ultra Learning
I did first test on Saturday and we let my FC come down to 10 to test ph, then started the slam. Believe on Monday
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
So, I've re-read this entire thread. I'm inclined to agree with @mknauss. You are making progress, but you don't have the filter capacity to filter the detritis from the pool. Your signature indicates you have Sand Pump (thanks for the link), but currently using filter pump. What exactly is a "filter pump?" A different cartridge filter?
How much time are you spending with the vacuum you purchased brushing and vacuuming? Without a skimmer and some way to get all the detritus out, it may take an extended period of time.
Likely not in your budget, but even a 16" filter and 2000-2400 GPH pump would give you better service,
Are you monitoring the pressure on the pump? Does it ever rise? How often do you backwash?
One other thought, do you have a ladder? Have you scrubbed it? You might take it out when you are not using it and scrub it with 10:1 water/bleach. Pour bleach in any holes to get it inside. My issue that I didn't realize is the algae in my ladder. It extended my SLAM 3 days until I realized it was harboring my algae.
In retrospect, I think my dolphin helped tremendously. When I removed it to clean during this first two days I would have a ball of green ick in the bag (it is an older DX3 with a filter bag instead of a filter like newer models). I have two skimmers, but no vacuum.
How much time are you spending with the vacuum you purchased brushing and vacuuming? Without a skimmer and some way to get all the detritus out, it may take an extended period of time.
Likely not in your budget, but even a 16" filter and 2000-2400 GPH pump would give you better service,
Are you monitoring the pressure on the pump? Does it ever rise? How often do you backwash?
One other thought, do you have a ladder? Have you scrubbed it? You might take it out when you are not using it and scrub it with 10:1 water/bleach. Pour bleach in any holes to get it inside. My issue that I didn't realize is the algae in my ladder. It extended my SLAM 3 days until I realized it was harboring my algae.
In retrospect, I think my dolphin helped tremendously. When I removed it to clean during this first two days I would have a ball of green ick in the bag (it is an older DX3 with a filter bag instead of a filter like newer models). I have two skimmers, but no vacuum.
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I'm not trying to say you're are testing wrongly. I'm just going by the CYA # you posted yesterday. If that was a mistake, I'm sorry that I'm sticking my nose in. It appears that 30 or 40 CYA doesn't really make a difference. 12 or 16 FC must be just fine for either of those. I am going to bow out now.
Currently using sand pump. We switched back to the pump it came with in hopes it would work better. But it wasn’t strong enough when he hooked up the vac to it so we had to change back. Hope that makes sense.
I spent about 6 hours off and on in the pool today. Vacuuming took me around 3. I went extremely slow. When I was done with cleaning, it did lift the ladder to look for algae but was unable to remove rubber from the base to get into the holes of it. We got busy so that’s on my list for tomorrow. I did backwash twice today while cleaning but I am not familiar with pumps hardly at all and my husband hardly has any free time right now with work and coaching. I don’t know what the pressure should be. I know it was raised at some point today to maybe 10? I’ll have to look at it in the morning.
Oh I know. I shouldn’t have posted those results in there lol. Wasn’t thinking. It’s all new for me
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Ok, so assuming that replacing the filter/pump isn't an option, here is my recommendation:
1) Read the manual on the Pump/Filter --> Manual on Filter/Pump page 14. the following is a reprint from the instructions.
2) When you have the time, do the procedure on page 14.
a) Stop the pump.
b) Move the handle to "Backwash."
c) Turn on the pump and run until the water is clear (not perfect, say 80% clearer than the cloudiest you see). Might be 30 seconds to 3 minutes +/-
d) Turn off pump.
e) Turn the handle to "Rinse." Run again until you see it run a bit clear (80% better), likely no longer than 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
f) Turn off the pump.
g) turn the handle to "Filter"
h) turn on the pump
i) NOTE THE PRESSURE.
j) When the filter pressure is 15 PSI higher than reading from i), do this procedure again.
k) replace water as needed.
Follow this procedure and you will clean the filter as often as necessary. Any more backwashing is unnecessary. Let the filter do the job!
This process is the best you can do with the filter you have. Keep the SLAM up.
1) Read the manual on the Pump/Filter --> Manual on Filter/Pump page 14. the following is a reprint from the instructions.
2) When you have the time, do the procedure on page 14.
a) Stop the pump.
b) Move the handle to "Backwash."
c) Turn on the pump and run until the water is clear (not perfect, say 80% clearer than the cloudiest you see). Might be 30 seconds to 3 minutes +/-
d) Turn off pump.
e) Turn the handle to "Rinse." Run again until you see it run a bit clear (80% better), likely no longer than 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
f) Turn off the pump.
g) turn the handle to "Filter"
h) turn on the pump
i) NOTE THE PRESSURE.
j) When the filter pressure is 15 PSI higher than reading from i), do this procedure again.
k) replace water as needed.
Follow this procedure and you will clean the filter as often as necessary. Any more backwashing is unnecessary. Let the filter do the job!
This process is the best you can do with the filter you have. Keep the SLAM up.
Thank you. I will definitely do it in the morning!
We have no problem replacing filter/pump but would like to wait until next spring. I appreciate all of the advice.
Okay so last night FC was 11.5. This morn is 10.5
That would mean I passed the overnight test, correct?
That would mean I passed the overnight test, correct?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,986
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Yep! One criteria down!
Now you need to get it clear and have your CC <.5.
Good job!!!
Keep Slamming and Filtering!
Now you need to get it clear and have your CC <.5.
Good job!!!
Keep Slamming and Filtering!
Even if you failed the CCs and clarity test that’s GREAT news as it means the FC had less to kill. Now. Prepare yourself mentally because sometimes brushing stirs and exposes more algae and you end up doing ‘worse’ tomorrow or a couple days from now. Don’t get bummed about it. It’s still progress.