SLAM Question re: Next Steps [Just Looking For Additional Opinions]

[RSLR]

Hello! Long-time lurker (thank you for all the help). I have a quick question to confirm what I'm thinking:

I've been dealing with green? mustard? algae for the last week or so - I can't get it knocked out.

I have a Taylor K-2006 test kit. Salt water pool. Vinyl liner. ~22,000 gallons.

I *just* tested my water again -->

Current readings:

ph: 7.6
CYA: 80
TA: 120
FC: .5 ppm
CC: 2 ppm

Given that my CYA is a bit high for SLAM, I'm assuming I need to drop the water level in my pool a bit and refill with untreated water. I believe I have to lower both my CYA + ph a bit before slamming.

Is that correct? Drop CYA / drop 7.6 (a bit) and then proceed with SLAM?

For reference - I've attached a photo of the pool.

Thank you so much for any/all help, comments, suggestions. Based on this site alone, I've had a generally Trouble Free Pool until as of late (went on vacation / power went out for a day while I was gone / storm came through / etc).

 

[mknauss]

You can attempt to follow the SLAM Process at your current CYA. It will take more liquid chlorine, but that may be more economical than draining water, etc.

 

[RSLR]

You can attempt to follow the SLAM Process at your current CYA. It will take more liquid chlorine, but that may be more economical than draining water, etc.

Thank you. And as a follow-up question: My current FC level is .5 ppm. Based on my CYA of 80, it looks like I'll need to bring my FC up to 31 ppm. That's correct, right?

 

[mknauss]

That is correct.

 

[RSLR]

That is correct.

Tuesday PM check-in:

Current readings:

ph: 7.5
CYA: 50
TA: 100
FC: 15 ppm
CC: 15 ppm

I've been SLAM'ing since Saturday PM (and brushing and testing and brushing and testing and backwashing and vacuuming). Just took a reading - the pool has really started to turn around and I've mostly just been addressing dead algae / cloudiness over the last 24 hours.

Just to check in / get a verification:

I'll measure again in the AM but I think I'm 'ok' to go into maintenance mode and let the CC continue to drift downward while keeping an eye on things.

I welcome (and truly appreciate) any/all advice. My main issue now has been addressing the cloudiness.

Thank you!

 

[Donldson]

FC: 15 ppm
CC: 15 ppm

Did you mistype this? If not, then something is extremely wrong.

 

[RSLR]

Did you mistype this? If not, then something is extremely wrong.

No . . . but I surely mis-measured something in testing?

No idea at this point TBH.

 

[Donldson]

A CC of 15 is incredibly high. You got this from your FAS-DPD test in your k-2006, right?

What all chemicals have you added to your water over the past couple of days?

 

[RSLR]

A CC of 15 is incredibly high. You got this from your FAS-DPD test in your k-2006, right?

What all chemicals have you added to your water over the past couple of days?

Correct. Taylor K2006.

The only chemicals I have added since Saturday: Liquid Chlorine (+ salt after low sodium test) + tap water to fill what I've lost when vacuuming to waste or backwash/rinsing.

 

[Donldson]

Well, then it's most definitely not time to go in to any "maintenance mode".

As per the SLAM Process guidelines there are 3 criteria that must be met to declare victory:

• CC is 0.5 or lower;
• You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
• And the water is clear.

At this time you are zero for three. You're right in the thick of this and that CC reading shows there's still a lot of something in the water that needs cleared out. Generally a CC reading that high indicates some ammonia compound. Have you used any algaecides or similar products in the recent past?

 

[RSLR]

Well, then it's most definitely not time to go in to any "maintenance mode".

As per the SLAM Process guidelines there are 3 criteria that must be met to declare victory:

• CC is 0.5 or lower;
• You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
• And the water is clear.

At this time you are zero for three. You're right in the thick of this and that CC reading shows there's still a lot of something in the water that needs cleared out. Generally a CC reading that high indicates some ammonia compound. Have you used any algaecides or similar products in the recent past?

Algaecide was added last week. (I already realize that was not a good decision best on all of the continued time I spent reading through forums on TFP.)

 

[Donldson]

Algaecide was added last week.

Now we're getting somewhere. What specific algaecide was it? Brand and product name. A picture of the bottle would also be helpful. And how much was added?

 

[RSLR]

32 oz of GLB Strikeout added over the course of a few days.

I already realize the error of my ways - - - I just don't (yet) realize just how erroneous I was. (I was aware of the addition / problems of adding copper so I have a CU Lator insert in both skimmers)

 

[Donldson]

I'm not interested in admonishing you for your mistake, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of your unusual readings.

And it looks like we have reached it. Strike Out isn't just a copper algaecide, it also contains ethanolamine and triethanolamine. These are ammonia compounds and almost certainly the source of your CC problem. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do except keep the SLAM going until you burn through it (as well as pass the other two criteria).

CUlator is also not really a useful way of removing copper. One of those products that is built on a real thing but in the way it's packaged for consumers it doesn't really work. As long as that's all the Strike Out you've added and you aren't noticing any staining of hair, finger nails, or your liner, then I'd just leave it go unless that changes.

 

[RSLR]

I'm not interested in admonishing you for your mistake, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of your unusual readings.

Thank you. I truly appreciate your help.

These are ammonia compounds and almost certainly the source of your CC problem. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do except keep the SLAM going until you burn through it (as well as pass the other two criteria).

My CYA is now at 50 - based on that reading my FC needs to be at 20 (Currently: 15 ppm). So I'll bump it up tonight. (~124 oz @ 10% concentration / liquid)

Regarding the ammonia/copper situation: What can I / should I do to address other than continuing to SLAM?

 

[RSLR]

Did you mistype this? If not, then something is extremely wrong.

Turns out, I did, in fact mistype this. I stared (and stared) at the number last night and realized I was confusing TOTAL CHLORINE for COMBINED CHLORINE.


Thank you for taking the time to call attention to my numbers . . . I did a lot (a lot) of headscratching last night + testing at home multiple times today.

 

[IceShadow]

Either way - you should continue the SLAM until the cloudiness is gone too.

 

[RSLR]

Either way - you should continue the SLAM until the cloudiness is gone too.

Yup. Thank you!