Greetings from California

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Greetings, fellow denizen of the inland east bay. Man, it's been cold lately, coldest I think in the 10 years I've lived here. Overnight low was 28-30 and my pool water was at 48 today, also the lowest I've ever seen. Glad my freeze protection kicked in to save my pumps!

 

[Newdude]

I got an FAS-DPD test and realized that my combined chlorine was high, and thus didn't need to do an overnight chlorine level test, so I just started a SLAM according to the TFP calculator.

Have you deep dived the SLAM Process yet ? It's a 'process' so have another read or 3 if you already did. Follow it to a T, the more effort you put in M(aintaining) the FC level, the quicker it goes, no matter how bad of a battle.

*also, case and point for the accurate test component that immediately alerted you to an issue.

*also also, kudos to you for listening to it.

 

[ChrisA76]

Greetings, fellow denizen of the inland east bay. Man, it's been cold lately, coldest I think in the 10 years I've lived here. Overnight low was 28-30 and my pool water was at 48 today, also the lowest I've ever seen. Glad my freeze protection kicked in to save my pumps!

Hello! Yep, same temps for me. What is your freeze protection? Is there a minimum temp I should have my water at while running my pumps?

 

[ChrisA76]

Have you deep dived the SLAM Process yet ? It's a 'process' so have another read or 3 if you already did. Follow it to a T, the more effort you put in M(aintaining) the FC level, the quicker it goes, no matter how bad of a battle.

Yes! I listened to the video and read about the process and realize that I'll have to keep the FC level high until the 3 criterion are met. I am going to be testing again and maintaining after dinner.

*also, case and point for the accurate test component that immediately alerted you to an issue.

*also also, kudos to you for listening to it.

Truth be told, my combined chlorine was just under 0.4, and my water is clear and I don't appear to be losing chlorine fast (my pool is covered). But given that I might have never fully removed the algae from weeks ago and 0.4 is close enough to 0.5 and above the Leslie recommended max of 0.2, I decided to go for it. It's not that much in chlorine to learn this process.

Thanks for all your help

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Hello! Yep, same temps for me. What is your freeze protection? Is there a minimum temp I should have my water at while running my pumps?

My Pentair EasyTouch automation system provides freeze protection via an air temperature sensor. I believe it kicks in at 38F but I don't have the manual nearby. I have it set to run slowly at 800 rpm just to move water.

We don't know what equipment you have. Create a signature for this forum and it will be easier for folks to advise you.

 

[Newdude]

Truth be told, my combined chlorine was just under 0.4,

OK for 1, switch to 10ml pool samples and each drop is 1/2 FC. There is zero need to go by 1/5ths. The # before the decimal is the important one. At no level is a .6 going to save you over a .5. If the # is a 2 before the decimal, both the possible .X values are no good.

For 2, the test variance and/or normal sanitization may give you a .5. So we use 1CC as the red flag.

There's no harm if you jumped the gun. If so, the SLAM is over the first OCLT when it passes and has (already) clear water.

But I like the way you think. Trust me I have either coached or read the coaching of a truckton of folks and the rookies make every excuse in the book why they don't need to SLAM. The pros SLAM first and then chuckle when 12 hours later they realize they didn't need to. Well done !!!!!

 

[PoolStored]

Truth be told, my combined chlorine was just under 0.4, and my water is clear and I don't appear to be losing chlorine fast (my pool is covered). But given that I might have never fully removed the algae from weeks ago and 0.4 is close enough to 0.5 and above the Leslie recommended max of 0.2, I decided to go for it. It's not that much in chlorine to learn this process.

Two pieces of advice.
1) I do the .5CC test RARELY and the .2CC test never. With the .5CC test my result is always .5. It is not a concern to have .5CC on a normal basis.
2) Clear water includes no visible dead or alive algae.
Ok, three....
Do you have a ladder that are tubes? Remove it and scrub inside. Removable lights? Remove and scrub behind. Weirs in your skimmers? Remove the doors and clean the door and foam.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Backtracking here on something you said-

My salt level is at 2400 about and I have an Pentair IC-40 which needs about 3200 ppm salt.

Don't add any salt until you check your salt level with a salt level test (K-1766) because just assuming the device reading could cause you to really oversalt your pool!! The device works entirely differently than a true salt test to give readings.

 

[ChrisA76]

Don't add any salt until you check your salt level with a salt level test (K-1766) because just assuming the device reading could cause you to really oversalt your pool!! The device works entirely differently than a true salt test to give readings.

Thanks but I didn’t meant to suggest I was planning on adding salt yet. I was simply answer about the details of my SWG system and the fact that I’m current not generating. I’ll definitely get a proper salt reading before I add and as I add.

 

[PoolStored]

I’ll definitely get a proper salt reading before I add and as I add.

Here are your choices, same test...you can get the taylor anywhere, but many have had issues with outdated reagents on Amazon (including me). TFTest will stand behind it.

Taylor K-1766 Salt Test Kit

tftestkits.net

TF Salt Bundle

tftestkits.net

 

[ChrisA76]

For 2, the test variance and/or normal sanitization may give you a .5. So we use 1CC as the red flag.

Good to know. I actually had it tested at Leslie’s for this 0.4 CC reading. But going forward I’ll take your advice.

There's no harm if you jumped the gun. If so, the SLAM is over the first OCLT when it passes and has (already) clear water.

But I like the way you think. Trust me I have either coached or read the coaching of a truckton of folks and the rookies make every excuse in the book why they don't need to SLAM. The pros SLAM first and then chuckle when 12 hours later they realize they didn't need to. Well done !!!!!

Yeah just seemed logical. It seemed not too expensive to do a SLAM and will rules out any possibility of issues.

 

[Newdude]

I actually had it tested at Leslie’s for this 0.4 CC reading

We have seen pool stores be off so frequently, that we don't put any stock in their testing. Even if they were right this time, next time is it's own low probability event.

 

[ChrisA76]

We have seen pool stores be off so frequently, that we don't put any stock in their testing. Even if they were right this time, next time is it's own low probability event.

I believe it. I even ran my own A\B test for different stores and saw what you’re talking about. I’ll follow your advice on doing my own FAS\DPD with 0.5 increments.