First time poster here. I've read the SLAM page and the green to clear page. I just ordered the TF-100 test kit.
Every opening, I am welcomed by an extremely green pool. But for the past four years, I've been able to clear it up relatively quickly. I started opening the pool this year about three weeks ago but before I was able to get it completely clean, I was interrupted with the birth of my second son. So good news for me, but the algae was left to grow for a good week and a half before I was able to get back to it.
I've been sorta SLAMing it up till now, but am ready to hit it full force until it's clean. A couple questions though as I wait for my test kit:
1) What's the cheapest option for chlorine? My local pool shop sells 2.5 gallon jugs for about $15. Is that good?
2) Getting frustrated with how long it was taking initially, I added a whole bottle of Floc (http://www.intheswim.com/p/super-floc-clarifier); thinking it would be easier to just vacuum everything to waste from the bottom. My problem is I wasn't able to see to the bottom to even vacuum it out and I was interrupted for family reasons. Did I screw myself here? How is this going to affect the SLAM process?
3) At what point does draining / refilling the pool become the more economical option? I have about a 20K gallon pool. I'm on a well, so I'd have to get water truck. Even if I drained it by half and then refilled, would that help? At least cut down on some of the volume I need to filter out.
4) How often should I expect to be cleaning my filter? The last two times, I reach full pressure after only 4-6 hours. I completely disassemble the filter and put back together. No partial backwashing.
Every opening, I am welcomed by an extremely green pool. But for the past four years, I've been able to clear it up relatively quickly. I started opening the pool this year about three weeks ago but before I was able to get it completely clean, I was interrupted with the birth of my second son. So good news for me, but the algae was left to grow for a good week and a half before I was able to get back to it.
I've been sorta SLAMing it up till now, but am ready to hit it full force until it's clean. A couple questions though as I wait for my test kit:
1) What's the cheapest option for chlorine? My local pool shop sells 2.5 gallon jugs for about $15. Is that good?
2) Getting frustrated with how long it was taking initially, I added a whole bottle of Floc (http://www.intheswim.com/p/super-floc-clarifier); thinking it would be easier to just vacuum everything to waste from the bottom. My problem is I wasn't able to see to the bottom to even vacuum it out and I was interrupted for family reasons. Did I screw myself here? How is this going to affect the SLAM process?
3) At what point does draining / refilling the pool become the more economical option? I have about a 20K gallon pool. I'm on a well, so I'd have to get water truck. Even if I drained it by half and then refilled, would that help? At least cut down on some of the volume I need to filter out.
4) How often should I expect to be cleaning my filter? The last two times, I reach full pressure after only 4-6 hours. I completely disassemble the filter and put back together. No partial backwashing.