Slam Plan & Prep Questions

[rcortesim]

Warmer months ahead, so planning to really clean up the pool and get ready family swimming. Though the water is clear, I've noticed green algae forming on walls over the past couple of months. I scrub the walls after adding the suggested amounts of acid and chlorine (as per Pool Math app), but this just clouds the water for a few hours. Then, the algae is again on the walls in a couple of days.

I got a bit frustrated and hit it hard with chlorine yesterday, so my FC is high today and yes, I still had to scrub the walls. A screenshot of today's test numbers is attached. Usually my FC runs between 7 - 7.5. I know my Calcium Hardness and CYA are high, for which I'll have to drain about 40% of my water.

So, here are a series of questions, as I prep to SLAM:

1. Prior to the SLAM, will using a vacuum help reduce the algae that I keep pushing around?
What exactly is this vacuum? I have a crawler, but that is a very small footprint.
Am I looking for a brush that I connect to the skimmer?
What is a good durable brand?

2. I've read that vacuuming to waste removes a lot of water. As I am planning to drain about 40% of water, would it kill two birds with one stone to do this with the vacuum, or should I still get a submersible water pump?
If I do need a pump, I've seen this one recommended in this forum, particularly for its long electric cord.

https://www.amazon.com/Lanchez-Stainless-Submersible-Automatic-Basement/dp/B0BRCW31W8?th=1

If there are others that are better, I'd be interested to know about them.

3. After refilling pool water, I'll SLAM and look forward to not just clean water, but crystal clean water.

Oh, and lastly, I just did a re-measurement of my volume. I had Pool Math configured for a 16k pool, when it is actually 23k (including spa). Yeah, I know. I've been under-treating the water balance for about 4 months. I had lowered it because of a miscalculation in a formula I found online. My pool is somewhat kidney shaped, so the proper formula is:
0.45 × (Width A + Width B) × Length C × Average Depth × 7.48 = US Gals

Thanks for the wealth of information contained in these pages!

 

[HermanTX]

With a CYA of 60, the SLAM FC level should be 24ppm. This needs to be maintained by testing every 4-5 hrs and topping up FC back to the SLAM level.
Thanks for posting your test results.
Your CH is high but is manageable. .

If you vacuum to waste then that will lower CYA and CH. Do you have a main drain? Ensure that is the only suction as you will drain below the skimmers.
Lowering the CYA will then lower your FC level for SLAM.

Removing as much algae by vacuum or by scooping it out is helpful.

Please read the document
SLAM Process

 

[rcortesim]

With a CYA of 60, the SLAM FC level should be 24ppm. This needs to be maintained by testing every 4-5 hrs and topping up FC back to the SLAM level.
Thanks for posting your test results.
Your CH is high but is manageable. .

If you vacuum to waste then that will lower CYA and CH. Do you have a main drain? Ensure that is the only suction as you will drain below the skimmers.
Lowering the CYA will then lower your FC level for SLAM.

Removing as much algae by vacuum or by scooping it out is helpful.

Please read the document
SLAM Process

Thanks for your response. I have already read the SLAM process, and will continue to review it as I near the day that I begin that process.

As far as vacuum to waste, if there are specific brands that are preferred, it would greatly help me to know. I haven't done that before, so I'm not certain what to buy and what the components are.

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks for your response. I have already read the SLAM process, and will continue to review it as I near the day that I begin that process.

As far as vacuum to waste, if there are specific brands that are preferred, it would greatly help me to know. I haven't done that before, so I'm not certain what to buy and what the components are.

Did the previous owner or the PB not leave a manual vacuum? It is a hose, a vacuum head and a pole that attaches to a vacuum head.

https://lesliespool.com/professional-grade-concrete-pool-vacuum-head/409625.html?src=PRESEASON&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=CREA_PMAX_%280%29_LPM_%281%29_GGL_%282%29_US_%285%29_LIA_%287%29_NBG_%289%29_D300_%2815%29_Retail&utm_id=22225369358&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22229213026&gbraid=0AAAAAD-lCpHdAsZEzP2-LtkDBOd0MpWht&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ubABhDIARIsAHMighazn1UrBI2yDNMKTOKuBm7uIN7EcafmWCLkRPeXd_mdNRv8pZeE2qcaAs8wEALw_wcB

 

[rcortesim]

Did the previous owner or the PB not leave a manual vacuum? It is a hose, a vacuum head and a pole that attaches to a vacuum head.

https://lesliespool.com/professional-grade-concrete-pool-vacuum-head/409625.html?src=PRESEASON&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=CREA_PMAX_%280%29_LPM_%281%29_GGL_%282%29_US_%285%29_LIA_%287%29_NBG_%289%29_D300_%2815%29_Retail&utm_id=22225369358&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22229213026&gbraid=0AAAAAD-lCpHdAsZEzP2-LtkDBOd0MpWht&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ubABhDIARIsAHMighazn1UrBI2yDNMKTOKuBm7uIN7EcafmWCLkRPeXd_mdNRv8pZeE2qcaAs8wEALw_wcB

No, I've seen previous pool guys use these, but never have had one.
Do I connect it to the skimmer?
There are two holes under my skimmer basket. Choose either one?
What if I connect it to the side wall suction that my crawler uses?
My filter does not have a waste setting. How do I vacuum to waste without that setting? See attached image.

 

[HermanTX]

Do I connect it to the skimmer?
There are two holes under my skimmer basket. Choose either one?

Usually the hose goes into the skimmer hole. Put in the hole that has suction.

However, since you have a suction side vacuum then you can connect the hose to that port if it fits or take the current vacuum head off the existing hose. Then connect the manual head to the existing hose. Then use a pole to push the vacuum around.

You have a DE filter, when you backwash, it goes to waste. Just put it on that setup.

What push/pull bashwash valve do you have?