Water is clearing up day by day! When do I stop keeping chlorine at SLAM levels?

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achenx75

Well-known member
Jun 4, 2022
67
Central New Jersey
I've been struggling with my pool for a while now but after draining a boatload of water to lower CYA (this was after trying to SLAM at 110 CYA lol), I'm seeing improvements each day I wake up and each day I get home from work. Honestly exciting and something I look forward to checking twice a day lol.

Yesterday I could start seeing the deep end. This morning, I could see the deep end more clearly, being able to make out pockets of dead algae I missed. I checked this morning and FC levels are at 15ppm. I've been targeting 16ppm (Pool is a bit below 40 CYA but I've been treating SLAM as 40) so since the pool is clearing up, I didn't bother adding anymore. My question is since the pool is clearing up so well, when do I stop targeting the 16ppm target? Right now, I check 2-3 times a day. And do I need to wait for the pool to become crystal clear to begin the OCLT test? I was considering doing it tonight.

Thanks everyone!
 
And don't add any more CYA during your SLAM. The amount of chlorine that you need for
the SLAM is directly tied to the CYA number. Higher CYA means it will take more chlorine
for the process. Stay with the CYA you have until you are absolutely finished with SLAM
and then evaluate where you are and add only if necessary. Keep going!
 
It's also very wise to SLAM for an extra day or two to be certain.

I don't recall pictures of your pool from your previous post, but it's also prudent to check lights, stairs, ladders, etc for hidden algae. Take everything out that you can and make certain it's all clean and clear to prevent reoccurrence. SLAM is something you want to do 100% once, not 95% three times.
 
Texas Splash said:
When you pass all 3 SLAM criteria: Crystal clear water, CCs no more than 0.5, and pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Hang in there.
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Ok got it. I didn't perform a sun-down to sun-up OCLT test but FC seems to change only a little in the mornings. CC is around 0.5 I think because adding 5 drops of (I think) R-003 barely turns my test water pink.

Only thing now is to have the water get more clear.
 
Lilypad said:
And don't add any more CYA during your SLAM. The amount of chlorine that you need for
the SLAM is directly tied to the CYA number. Higher CYA means it will take more chlorine
for the process. Stay with the CYA you have until you are absolutely finished with SLAM
and then evaluate where you are and add only if necessary. Keep going!
Click to expand...
Yup, old owner used chlorine tabs like crazy and spiked CYA level to 110. I'm honestly scared of raising the CYA levels now because draining and filling felt like it was costing me money lol.
 
reggiehammond said:
It's also very wise to SLAM for an extra day or two to be certain.

I don't recall pictures of your pool from your previous post, but it's also prudent to check lights, stairs, ladders, etc for hidden algae. Take everything out that you can and make certain it's all clean and clear to prevent reoccurrence. SLAM is something you want to do 100% once, not 95% three times.
Click to expand...
I'll post my pool results once I'm done SLAMing but no ladders or anything because I was just opening the pool and no lights. Just vinyl, skimmer, and return jets. I'll do another thorough scrubbing today.
 
achenx75 said:
I'm honestly scared of raising the CYA levels now
Click to expand...
I went through two 2/3 drains with my pool years ago. I understand how you feel! However, knowing exactly what is in your pool, and the effect of adding chemicals to it, will give you great confidence managing your pool. Just takes some
practice and keep asking us questions. Everything becomes so easy after you get the hang of it!
 
Lilypad said:
I went through two 2/3 drains with my pool years ago. I understand how you feel! However, knowing exactly what is in your pool, and the effect of adding chemicals to it, will give you great confidence managing your pool. Just takes some
practice and keep asking us questions. Everything becomes so easy after you get the hang of it!
Click to expand...
So true! I did 2 drains replacing probably 75% of the total water and somehow it went from 110 to 40 CYA. (Could be that for one drain, I put the pump on the shallow end and the garden hose in the deep end)
But when I tested and saw my CYA was 40ish, I was so overjoyed. It felt like to have normal levels lol. And TFP has been nothing but helpful and positive to a noobie like me. Thank you so much!
 
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