What is the ideal PH and TA when starting a SLAM when you intend on adding Dichlor to the pool to increase the CYA until it gets to 30? CYA appears to be 0, PH appears to be 7.2 and TA appears to be 50-60. I thought I would use Dichlor in the beginning until I’ve added enough to increase CYA to 30 so chlorine will hold faster. I don’t have any powdered CYA so I would prefer to use the Dichlor that I already have unless there is a reason not to use it. I have a feeling that the CYA isn’t actually 0 like the test shows since the pool is holding chlorine pretty well so I intend on testing after adding the first 2 pounds so I don’t accidentally overshoot the CYA. I know that Dichlor decreases PH so I’m wanting to know if I need to increase PH higher than 7.2 and increase TA higher than 50-60 before using it. I also need to know how long I need to wait to retest the CYA after adding the first dose of Dichlor so I don’t accidentally overshoot the CYA.
Ideal PH and TA before starting a SLAM
- Thread starter lilac1
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,646
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The pH and TA you show is great. Do not use dichlor, it is very acidic and will crash both the pH and TA. If you need to raise CYA, use granular stabilizer.
Pool math says that granular stabilizer will lower PH by about the same amount though. Why do you recommend not using it? Does it lower TA more than Granular CYA? If so, could I just increase the PH and TA with some washing soda before starting the SLAM? I can go buy some granular CYA if needed but I’d really like to use the Dichlor that I already have unless there is a good reason not to use it. I have a feeling that the CYA is actually closer to 10 since chlorine isn’t dissipating that quickly so I may not need to use much Dichlor to get CYA to 30.
If your kit isn't expired and testing correctly then the CYA is per test results. Don't go judging the water clarity cuz you can have algae even in clear water. As per Marty ^^^^ granular stabilizer is what should be used because you want it now and not over some longer time frame. Your slam will not work if the chlorine gets consumed by UV rater then the organics in the water.