SLAM duration - how long does it take to kill algae?

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langerking

langerking

0
Jul 12, 2013
104
Clermont, Florida (that's near Disney World)
My pool has been sparkling clear for almost a full year and it still is. I discovered a tiny amount of visible algae on the white endcaps on my ladder and some around the stair way opening. I also removed my light and found small amounts of algae there.

As a precaution I started SLAMMING. I have no measurable CYA at the moment, it is <20. Therefore my Shock FC level is only 10. I started the SLAM at 2pm yesterday and this morning at 6:40a.m I passed the OFCL. My loss was only 0.6 since 9:40p.m. the previous night.

QUESTION: is it necessary to keep on SLAMMING because it has only been about 18 hours since the start and only about 15 since my pool has been at Shock level? I feel like I should hold it at least until tomorrow morning to make sure all algae has been killed.
 
I'd keep the SLAM going another day. Like the others said brush everything really good. Do another OCLT tonight. I didn't see a CC test result. What are the CC's. Your done SLAMing when your water is crystal clear, CC's of 0.5 or less, you pass the OCLT.
You can start adding CYA now or wait till the SLAM is over. I would take the CYA level to 30 then 40. Take it up in steps. ?
 
Your pool is clear, you passed OCLT but wat is your CC? SLAM until you pass all three

Is all of the visible algae gone? If not, see the next question.

Did you brush the visible algae? Algae can be protected from the chlorine by a biofilm that brushing breaks down. If it's there, brush it and continue SLAM.
 
Divin Dave said:
Since you got it in the first place, Sounds like you might need to refresh on a couple of pool school references.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/134-recommended-levels
Click to expand...


I think I got it because I let my CYA get very low and my FC was fluctuating a lot between chlorine treatments (which I only have time to do once a day before work). I was assuming that the CYA would not drop like it did. I measured it frequently for about the first 8 months after starting the BBB method. It never dropped unless I drained and filled huge amounts of water (like at least 6 inches in my pool). Somehow it went from the low 40s to sub 20 in about 3 months and I admit I didn't monitor it thinking it just doesn't move anyway. But we have had a very rainy late spring and summer here in Florida, I had been vacuuming to waste rather frequently and wasn't really tracking the amount of water being replaced.


Just to be clear, my CC is 0. I wouldn't have said I passed the OCLT unless I meet all 3 requirements.
 

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langerking said:
Just to be clear, my CC is 0. I wouldn't have said I passed the OCLT unless I meet all 3 requirements.
Click to expand...
I don't want to sound harsh/negative but you are confusing a SLAM & OCLT. There is only one requirement to pass OCLT. There are three requirements for the SLAM. I think this was what was confusing folks.

I wish I had your problems - my CYA is going down painfully slowly with backwashing.

It would help with answers if you could add your location to your profile.
 
tim5055 said:
I don't want to sound harsh/negative but you are confusing a SLAM & OCLT. There is only one requirement to pass OCLT. There are three requirements for the SLAM. I think this was what was confusing folks.

I wish I had your problems - my CYA is going down painfully slowly with backwashing.

It would help with answers if you could add your location to your profile.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean Tim, my CYA was around 300 early last July when I discovered this website and this amazing program with all the great support of members. It took me over 2 months to get it down into the 40s. That's why I was so surprised when I measured what looked like ZERO CYA. I did a double take, tested over and over again. I might break out a new bottle of R-0013 real soon

Oh, that makes sense now. I was interpreting things incorrectly, that the OCLT meant passing the 3 requirements. But, yeah, I passed all 3 last night. But I am finding it very hard to maintain the Shock level today, at 2:20 when I got home it had dropped to 7.5 (from 10.6 at 10:40). I added a quart of bleach
4:12 pm 8.0 - added 2 quarts
5:55 pm 9.5 - added 2 quarts hoping that this keeps me over 10 until sundown, I'll measure again at 7:00 pm.

I went to the store to buy stabilizer but they didn't have any (Lowe's), my pool store had closed already. I really thought that I was going to be able to get my CYA up with the Trichlor pucks I have been using since I discovered my low CYA problem.
 
langerking said:
I Went to the store to buy stabilizer but they didn't have any (Lowe's), my pool store had closed already. I really thought that I was going to be able to get my CYA up with the Trichlor pucks I have been using since I discovered my low CYA problem.
Click to expand...

Walmart has it too.
 

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