SLAM Process question

[hensler74]

So I have started my second SLAM of my pool ownership, did one around this time last year as well. The reason is I noticed my FC dropping significantly over the last week or so so I did an OCLT and was lost 1.5 ppm during that test and had a CC of 0.5 so I knew there was something starting to brew as the pool is crystal clear.
My question because I do not remember from last year and read the guidelines again and was not real sure. After I take my readings each time and add the suggested liquid chlorine do I need to test again after 30 minutes or so to make sure I am at slam level from the add or just assume since I added the suggested amount I am good and test again at my next scheduled time to test.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PoolStored]

You do not need to test after 30 minutes. If you want to do one to satisfy your curiosity, go for it.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If you had a swamp I would say test 30 minutes later. It doesn't sound like you do. Test one to two hours later and then maintain FC at slam level as you did last year.

 

[hensler74]

You do not need to test after 30 minutes. If you want to do one to satisfy your curiosity, go for it.

If you had a swamp I would say test 30 minutes later. It doesn't sound like you do. Test one to two hours later and then maintain FC at slam level as you did last year.

Thank you both for the quick replies. I believe it is just like last year but hoping I caught it quick enough due to my learning from last year on this site.
I just added the suggested amount about 30 minutes ago and will just wake up before sunrise to do my next test. I believe this was my process last year as well and it worked just fine.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Should be quick. Did you allow your FC to drop too low?

 

[hensler74]

Should be quick. Did you allow your FC to drop too low?

Yes because I got a little relaxed on my testing the last couple of weeks from being lazy.
I also kind of wonder if my SWG is working properly or not because it has been set at 100% for at least a month or long and running 9 hours a day.
Could just be the great Texas summer and me relaxing my testing has come to bite me in the rear. Gonna see what happens after the slam and me getting back into a testing routine how things go.

 

[PoolStored]

it has been set at 100% for at least a month or long and running 9 hours a day.

That would make 5.6FC. Is there a reason you keep your CYA at 40?

 

[hensler74]

That would make 5.6FC. Is there a reason you keep your CYA at 40?

That is another thing I got relaxed on as well. I was doing so good early on in the season that I thought I could back off a little. Kicking myself in the rear for this right now as well. If I would have just kept my routine of being over cautious I probably would not be where I am today doing my slam.
Lesson learned. Once I complete the slam I will get cya back up as well as all other levels and then just go back to be overly cautious and testing daily, weekly and monthly as I should have been doing.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

All right. Just get it done...good luck!

 

[hensler74]

@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta and @PoolStored because I am in TX and are summers are nice and warm I have to put water in at least once a week sometimes I do twice a week just to keep it at the correct levels. In doing this how often should I check my CYA? I need to go back to my logs to verify but I think I was doing it but clearly probably not enough since it was at 40 when I tested for my slam.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

CYA does not evaporate so adding water after evaporation does not decrease CYA levels. CYA does decrease overtime, particularly when water temperatures are high. You can expect to lose 5 to 10 ppm per month during the summer months. My water temps hover between 80 and 90° and I check my cya levels every couple weeks during the swim season.

 

[hensler74]

CYA does not evaporate so adding water after evaporation does not decrease CYA levels. CYA does decrease overtime, particularly when water temperatures are high. You can expect to lose 5 to 10 ppm per month during the summer months. My water temps hover between 80 and 90° and I check my cya levels every couple weeks during the swim season.

Ok my water temp during the summer stays around 84-91 for the most part. Guess I will start to test the CYA biweekly during the swim season. It is good to know that the evaporation does not really affect the CYA but the pool water temp does. I am sure I have probably read that on here somewhere before but I have read so much on this site I forget more than I remember.

 

[PoolStored]

Make it easy on yourself. FC and pH daily. Full test results with coffee on Saturday (or whatever day) weekly.

Basic Pool Care Schedule

This basic pool care schedule can guide you in creating your own pool care routine. Regular pool maintenance will keep your water sparkling!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[hensler74]

So I passed the 3 criteria to ending my slam this morning and am continuing the slam today for extra measure.
My question is if I pass another OLCT in the morning when do I want to start to bring up my CYA? After the chlorine falls back to recommended level or go ahead and start getting it up instantly?
I will check FC and CC in the morning around 6:30 but will not truly be able to test CYA until I get home around 5 pm. My thought is check the CYA when I get home and add needed stabilizer then. Is this the best route?

Tagged @PoolStored and @Rancho Cost-a-Lotta because you both helped out the most in the original post.

 

[PoolStored]

My question is if I pass another OLCT in the morning when do I want to start to bring up my CYA?

Any time.

After the chlorine falls back to recommended level or go ahead and start getting it up instantly?

Go ahead. Use the sock method. When the sock is in the water, raise your FC to the appropriate level for your target CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

I will check FC and CC in the morning around 6:30 but will not truly be able to test CYA until I get home around 5 pm. My thought is check the CYA when I get home and add needed stabilizer then. Is this the best route?

That would be fine.

 

[hensler74]

Any time.

Go ahead. Use the sock method. When the sock is in the water, raise your FC to the appropriate level for your target CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

That would be fine.

Thanks again for replying so quickly. Your help has been greatly appreciated.

 

[hensler74]

Hopefully these will be my last questions for a while. Got home today and add stabilizer after checking all my levels. Added 53 ounces via the sock method in the skimmers.
1. Can I check CYA again tomorrow or wait till Saturday?
2. When should I turn my SWG back on? Screenshot of last couple of readings last night, this morning and when I got home from work today. This is just so my readings are easily accessible for you.
3. Since you see my readings left me know if there is anything else I should work on. My TA is out of range but I cannot check PH again till FC is below 10 so hopefully adding acid at some point for PH will help lower TA. My CSI is alarming to me but I am guessing that is because of the SLAM.

 

[PoolStored]

1. Can I check CYA again tomorrow or wait till Saturday?

I check CYA weekly in from June 15 to Aug 15. Every two weeks in shoulder months.

2. When should I turn my SWG back on? Screenshot of last couple of readings last night, this morning and when I got home from work today. This is just so my readings are easily accessible for you.

When your FC gets to about 7-8, I'd turn it back on. Remember to maintain your FC for your CYA level...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

3. Since you see my readings left me know if there is anything else I should work on. My TA is out of range but I cannot check PH again till FC is below 10 so hopefully adding acid at some point for PH will help lower TA. My CSI is alarming to me but I am guessing that is because of the SLAM.

Everything looks fine. Use muriatic acid to lower pH after you are able to test again. A negative CSI will avoid scale, and keep your SWG plates clean. You should shoot for -.3 to 0.
I believe your CSI is so negative because pH (in pool math) is low. Wait to make any CSI adjustments until you get a new pH test result.

 

[hensler74]

I check CYA weekly in from June 15 to Aug 15. Every two weeks in shoulder months.

Sorry I should have been more clear. I want to check it again just to make sure I am where I need to be, but checking weekly would definitely doe this for me.

When your FC gets to about 7-8, I'd turn it back on. Remember to maintain your FC for your CYA level...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Perfect I will check daily and make sure to turn back on as soon as I get to this range.

Everything looks fine. Use muriatic acid to lower pH after you are able to test again. A negative CSI will avoid scale, and keep your SWG plates clean. You should shoot for -.3 to 0.
I believe your CSI is so negative because pH (in pool math) is low. Wait to make any CSI adjustments until you get a new pH test result.

Thanks for that info as this makes me feel better.
Again thank you for all your help. I plan on being more diligent on daily, weekly and monthly checks so I don’t get here again anytime soon or ever hopefully.