When do you balance salt? Am I planning my opening properly?

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ChelleSte

ChelleSte

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
99
Southern WI
Pool Size
9400
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Intex Krystal Clear
I'm hooked back up and getting close to being fully refilled. I've netted all I can get, leaf vacuumed most the floor (there's a couple left that I'll get when algae vacuuming and brushing).

Once done filling:

Open water lines
Start pump "on" (for 24/7)
Start SWG? Or wait on this?
Check and balance PH
Check and balance CYA (sock in front of return jet)
Start SLAM

Is this right? When should I test/add salt? Do I use the SWG right away or after I'm done with SLAM?


Thank you!
 
More than likely you'll need to balance one or more items for sure. Perhaps do a SLAM Process as well. But first thing's first. Once you have the pool full and pump running, let the water mix well for an hour or two before grabbing a sample for testing. Then test all items. The CH doesn't really apply to you (vinyl) but you can check it always if you like. Post those numbers back here in an hour or two and we'll go from there.
 
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Texas Splash said:
More than likely you'll need to balance one or more items for sure. Perhaps do a SLAM Process as well. But first thing's first. Once you have the pool full and pump running, let the water mix well for an hour or two before grabbing a sample for testing. Then test all items. The CH doesn't really apply to you (vinyl) but you can check it always if you like. Post those numbers back here in an hour or two and we'll go from there.
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Thanks! Today was going to be testing and chemical day (started raining yesterday) but they're calling for gusty tstorms and downpours this afternoon and evening. I'm guessing I need to wait until after because of the large amounts of rain?
 
ChelleSte said:
I'm guessing I need to wait until after because of the large amounts of rain?
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As long as it's safe to be outside long enough to get a good water sample, you can still do the testing. But it's up too you. :)
 
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ChelleSte said:
Open water lines
Start pump "on" (for 24/7)
Start SWG? Or wait on this?
Check and balance PH
Check and balance CYA (sock in front of return jet)
Start SLAM

Is this right? When should I test/add salt? Do I use the SWG right away or after I'm done with SLAM?
Click to expand...
While I am no expert, I ran my pump on filter for 24 hours just to get what debris got in the pool since the day before when I removed the cover. I then tested my water (all tests), the CYA is a bit low, and salt was a bit low, I hung my CYA in front of the return, but will have to wait until I run to the store to get salt to turn my SWG on as the salt level is only at 2000 and needs to be over 2800 to even run it and optimum is 3400. I am not having to SLAM to open though, my water was clear when I took my cover off, and my FC is at 5 already. :)

Do you have noticeable algae? You may not need to slam, leaves and other debris are normal to need to clean.

Hope it helps and feel free to correct anything I say if I am wrong :)
 
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rweiler994 said:
While I am no expert, I ran my pump on filter for 24 hours just to get what debris got in the pool since the day before when I removed the cover. I then tested my water (all tests), the CYA is a bit low, and salt was a bit low, I hung my CYA in front of the return, but will have to wait until I run to the store to get salt to turn my SWG on as the salt level is only at 2000 and needs to be over 2800 to even run it and optimum is 3400. I am not having to SLAM to open though, my water was clear when I took my cover off, and my FC is at 5 already. :)

Do you have noticeable algae? You may not need to slam, leaves and other debris are normal to need to clean.

Hope it helps and feel free to correct anything I say if I am wrong :)
Click to expand...
I have algea and had some squirrels visitors 😭😭 so definitely need to SLAM. I'm letting my filter run too but keeping the SWG off until I test. I'm tempted to start the SLAM but not too keen on going out to stick my arm in a pool during lightening strikes 😄
 
How's your CYA ? Don't raise it to 70 until after SLAM and you'll have a lower target level until then.
 
Here's the results. She's not doing so good 🤣

FC: 0 (couldn't get it pink after loads of drops and stopped)

pH: 6.8? - bright yellow
To 7.2: took 28 drops
To 7.4: took 36 drops

TA: 15 drops a bit pink, 16 drops hot pink

CYA: 0 - never cloudy

Salt: reddish after 4 drops. From 4-7 drops didn't really change any more.
 
OK so PH is prolly off the charts low. Add from 6.8 to 7.2 per pool math. Mix well and test again. Repeat as many times as necessary. It may take a couple rounds.

For CYA add 10ppm (dangled in a sock) and squeeze it out a while later. Give it a day to mix and repeat until it reads a 30. You can do this while SLAMing. Use a SLAM target of 12 FC from the start as you'll have some CYA in there right away and will get to 30 pretty quick.

TA and salt don't matter until the SLAM is complete.

Ask away at any time and we'll help. :)
 

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ChelleSte said:
Salt: reddish after 4 drops. From 4-7 drops didn't really change any more.
Click to expand...
Are you using the Taylor K-1766 for your salt test? You should add that to your signature. If that's what you're using, you don't continue adding drops to see if you can get a deeper color, like you do with other Taylor tests. The first drop that changes the color to that burnt red-orange is the end of the test. You might see it flash the deeper color momentarily, when the drop first goes in, then revert back to the lighter color, but ignore that. It's when the color changes and stays changed. That salt test is my favorite, because it's so obvious, no guessing.
 
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Dirk said:
Are you using the Taylor K-1766 for your salt test? You should add that to your signature. If that's what you're using, you don't continue adding drops to see if you can get a deeper color, like you do with other Taylor tests. The first drop that changes the color to that burnt red-orange is the end of the test. You might see it flash the deeper color momentarily, when the drop first goes in, then revert back to the lighter color, but ignore that. It's when the color changes and stays changed. That salt test is my favorite, because it's so obvious, no guessing.
Click to expand...
Yep that's the one I'm using. I'll add it to my info, thanks :) It was kind of a milky salmon with darker bits floating in it and I thought maybe I wanted a darker red, so I kept going until it became obvious that it wasn't changing 😄
 
Is there a sweet spot for how often to test/balance during SLAM?

Do you wait for some clearness before testing CC too (to save on chemicals)?

For the OCLT, does SWG need to be off for at least 30 minutes before doing your night test? Or you just turn it off for overnight but you can test at the same time?

Thanks for all the help! Can't wait to finally see this beauty sparkling again!!
 
ChelleSte said:
Is there a sweet spot for how often to test/balance during SLAM?
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2 hours is best. 3 hours does fine too.
ChelleSte said:
Do you wait for some clearness before testing CC too (to save on chemicals)?
Click to expand...
Yup. Cloudy and or substantial FC loss means no need for CCs or OCLTs.

Look at you putting things together. (y)
ChelleSte said:
For the OCLT, does SWG need to be off for at least 30 minutes before doing your night test? Or you just turn it off for overnight but you can test at the same time?
Click to expand...
15 is fine. Just long enough to mix up the last bit that was produced.
ChelleSte said:
Thanks for all the help!
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You know we got you. I know you know. :)
 
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ChelleSte said:
It was kind of a milky salmon with darker bits floating in it
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Come on! I haven't eaten my breakfast yet!! Yikes.

When I use that test, it's like a light switch: yellowish, drop, yellowish, drop, ..... yellowish, drop, dark-reddish-brown. It's instant.
 
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Dirk said:
You can save some on test chemicals during a SLAM by "customizing" the FC test
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5 ml sample and each drop is 1 FC
10 ml sample and each drop is .5 FC
25 ml sample and each drip is .2 FC


You can start the SLAM at 5ml and move to 10 ml once the FC is holding pretty well.
 
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