In the slam process…,

[Tori1]

I have been performing a slam since last week. Thursday evening I performed OCLT and passed.

Yesterday I continued the slam process however we used the pool yesterday for about 2 hrs. Also one of my older kids peed in the pool! After he got out I continued to slam. Tested last night around 8pm, add chlorine to slam level. Then retested around 9pm. I do have a vs speed pump which I have on 2100rpm. I would think that would be enough time for circulation of chlorine right?

I also added about an 1 “ of water during the day and let it circulate and tested again added chlorine to slam level. Water level was just at the mark on skimmer faceplate.

Cya didnt change from adding water. Its still at 40

I have not backwashed the filter yet which I will do today. Running pump on 2200 doesnt change the pressure really at all. Should I increase the rpms during the slam?

If I know we are going to swim and I am performing a slam do I do anything different before and after swimming? Or make sure chlorine levels are slam level before and after.

Have to say I was pretty disappointed not passing OCLT last night. My husband thinks I am crazy constantly check the chemistry levels 3 to 4 times day.

Please let me know if I should be doing anything else.

 

[mknauss]

Sounds like you are on track. Nothing special during the SLAM. Just test your FC a few times per day and add more liquid chlorine. Pump rpm can be whatever it takes to skim the surface. That relates to good circulation.

 

[Tori1]

Great. Thank you for your response.

 

[Tori1]

Still having some algae? issue as pool is not holding chlorine over night. I did pass oclt one night then failed the next.

Could any of these have contributed to failing oclt the next night?

-Fabric pool float from last year (stored in basement until just recently).
-Used the pool for the first time for a couple hrs
-Added some water (about 1”), backwashed filter
-Son peed in pool

I was checking every 4 hrs or so depending on the time I have abailable.

I have been brushing pool at least once a day. Around returns, skimmer face plate, step trim (where I would usually find some), light face plate, etc. I am not able to check drain cover (although pool contractor will be out this week to check stain the drain cover and pool light) as the water pressure in 8ft of water negatively impacts my ear. Hopefully PC will be able to confirm if any thing is in there.

I feel like my fc is getting eaten up quickly. Everything is logged. I didnt have the app right when I started. Also bought the subscription the other day so I am able to log notes in the app as well.

Water is super clear
Pool is in the sun from 9am until around 6:30pm
Water temp today is 84
sock in skimmer basket ( do get lots of gnats, some pollen, frogs every day or so)
This morning there was a slight chlorine smell . Due to chlorine eating the organics.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[mknauss]

Are you seeing any dead algae or debris on the pool floor in the morning?

Be sure the pool is uncovered for a minimum during the day so the sun shines on the pool surface. This eliminates the CC (what you called chlorine smell).

 

[Tori1]

I have been seeing what looks like dirt on the pool steps. As for in the pool no. Although It is a fairly dark liner with a mosaic pattern so I guess there is the possibility. I will turn pump off today so I can see the bottom better.

We dont have a cover pool is exposed until we close it in early October.

My concern is liner is new and I am going chlorine quickly. I lost 3ppm fc lastnight.

Could the purple color on the drain cover have something to do with?

I am at the point where I dont want anyone to swim in the pool until I get this figured out.

 

[mknauss]

Could the purple color on the drain cover have something to do with?

Not sure I understand that.

 

[Tori1]

This is what is in the filter sock most mornings. Algae? Or pollen? The other two pics are debris on the steps. I thought it was some kind of pollen?

What are your thoughts?

 

[Tori1]

Last week I noticed our drain cover has purple on it. Chem reactions to something in the water? Could that have something to do with our fc?

 

[mknauss]

Purple in pool water is copper cyanurate. It is from high copper and CYA levels.

 

[Tori1]

Purple in pool water is copper cyanurate. It is from high copper and CYA levels.

Define high cya? Ours has not been above 40. New water this year. Cya added only through trichlor pucks. Pulled them about two weeks ago at which point our cya was 40ppm.

I have not tested for metals. But def plausible.

 

[mknauss]

When did the purple show up? Could have been previous years. Heavy trichlor puck use, Especially those with 'blue' in the name.

 

[Tori1]

The purple showed up a few week or do ago? The liner is new the water is new. Its filled in late feb early march. No cya to start with this year.

I have used only tricolor pucks from pools stores. Non of them “blue” in the name. I can take pictures of the containers when I get home. But again this is new water. Last year. Yes our cya acid was high.

What are your thoughts on skimmer basket and step pictures?

 

[mknauss]

Purple must be from something else.

Looks like debris of some kind. Hard to say from a picture.

 

[Tori1]

Ok. Thanks.

When I left this morning around 8:30 my free chlorine was 16ppm. I didnt get home until 2ish. My fc was at 11.5ppm. Is that considered a normal or typical drop in fc?

 

[bobloblaw42]

In a SLAM, there is no typical drop in FC. You're dealing with an environment that is transitioning from high chlorine usage to normal. So its inherently not normal. We take valid tests and react accordingly (topping back up to SLAM level).

 

[Tori1]

Understood. Thank you

 

[Tori1]

Question… would a small amount of algae like a dime size effect the fc?

My son took the light out. There was some brown sludge on electrical cord and on the light. Would that have been dead algae (No i did not wipe it on a white cloth, which I should have.)? And then a dime sized amount on the gasket which was green.

Then a dime sized amount dried behind skimmer face plate.

Hoping that resolves my issue. If not I am going to have to stop as the high chlorine is discoloring my skimmer faceplate, returns and my drain cover which all are grey as well as affecting the gasket on the light. Not to mention I am so concerned about it messing up my liner which is new.

I appreciate your feed back and your time. Thank you.

 

[PoolStored]

Question… would a small amount of algae like a dime size effect the fc?

Yep. Did you remove the main drain cover and scrub there? Did you remove the ladder and clean inside the tubes? Scrub the skimmer, remove the weir doors and check for algae?

SLAM level FC is safe for people, equipment and liner.

 

[Tori1]

Not yet as not familiar with the drain cover. Do you just take the 2 screws out? Was afraid to mess it up.

Also not sure how to pop weir door off? Suggestions?

No ladders just the white fiberglass steps.

I appreciate you help with this.