How often should I test FC during SLAM process?

How often depends on how fast you're losing FC. If you lost all of it in an hour, then you should check again in an hour. If you're to the point where you lose 3 or so in four hours, then you can go a couple hours between checks. It just depends on where you are. Stuff settling out is very likely dead algae. you want to vacuum it up. If you leave it in the water, you'll end up one of the people posting that the pool is still cloudy after a week. You don't want that.

Straight from the SLAM Process article:

SLAM:

• Test the FC level and add enough chlorine to bring FC up to shock level (see here for correct shock level)
• Test and adjust chlorine levels as frequently as practical, but not more than once per hour, and not less than twice a day. Chlorine additions should be frequent, especially at the beginning. Algae and other organic debris will consume chlorine very rapidly at first. As things progress, you will lose less chlorine each cycle and can add chlorine less frequently.
• Brush and/or vacuum the entire pool once a day
• Backwash or clean the filter as needed
• Vacuum up debris as needed

Kelly Gordon said:

OK. That helps, Richard. Thanks. When I read the SLAM instructions, I didn't know how to interpret "as frequently as practical." It makes sense to calibrate the testing to how fast the FC is being used.

I have a Polaris vacuum that can't get to the stairs. It's running continuously right now; we still have a lot of debris in the pool from winter. Should I just brush the stairs so the accumulated junk are on the pool floor where the Polaris can get it? Or is there a better way?

Kelly

Click to expand...

That's how I deal with my steps. Don't neglect wall brushing, too. You'd think stuff would settle to the floor but it's almost like static cling.