Calcium Hypochloride SLAM?

[kdsawyer]

I’ve been fighting lingering algae most of the summer. After the pool store recommended 10% algaecide, 2 weeks later I saw more algae. They then recommended the 90 day algaecide with 11ish% copper. After a few days of vacuuming, and swimming, I cleaned up some gray/white sediment (I assume dead algae), but directly underneath it was stained a yellow that I could not scrub off.

I’ll admit, I was not maintaining proper levels of chlorine consistently at the beginning of the summer (first year owning a pool). But I have been since recently reading your content and warming up to it.

I decided to try the SLAM process. I started yesterday.

Here are my specs:
25,000 gallons
Concrete bottom/fiberglass walls
CYA 35
pH 7.4
TA 80
CH 260
85 degree water
FC 2 PPM
Older pool, cartridge filter, heated, and seems to have low circulation.
I could see pretty clearly to 9’ bottom drain
I vacuumed the floor, cleaned/replaced the filter, then added 47 oz of Calcium Hypo 78%. After adding, I brushed all surfaces. It definitely got cloudy and still is this morning.

Here are my questions:
1. I already read about how CaHypo raises CH. If using this now for the SLAM, is there a difference in swim ability/safety when SLAMing with CaHypo instead? (I do plan to go buy Pool Essentials Chlorinating Liquid today and switch over to it). Vapors? Getting in eyes? Skin irritation?

2. The pool store said CaHypo is a better product for concrete pools. True?? I could just use it when not doing SLAM.

2. My test strip maxes out at 10 ppm FC and my K-2005 makes it a bit difficult since the higher the PPM the higher the range of color the window is. (1-2 vs 10-20).so I bought a higher range set that will come tomorrow hoping I can get closer to an accurate 12 PPM. Any other recommendations on accurate high level FC readings?

Thanks so much for you help!!
-Sawyer

 

[Bperry]

I’ve been fighting lingering algae most of the summer. After the pool store recommended 10% algaecide, 2 weeks later I saw more algae. They then recommended the 90 day algaecide with 11ish% copper. After a few days of vacuuming, and swimming, I cleaned up some gray/white sediment (I assume dead algae), but directly underneath it was stained a yellow that I could not scrub off.

I’ll admit, I was not maintaining proper levels of chlorine consistently at the beginning of the summer (first year owning a pool). But I have been since recently reading your content and warming up to it.

I decided to try the SLAM process. I started yesterday.

Here are my specs:
25,000 gallons
Concrete bottom/fiberglass walls
CYA 35
pH 7.4
TA 80
CH 260
85 degree water
FC 2 PPM
Older pool, cartridge filter, heated, and seems to have low circulation.
I could see pretty clearly to 9’ bottom drain
I vacuumed the floor, cleaned/replaced the filter, then added 47 oz of Calcium Hypo 78%. After adding, I brushed all surfaces. It definitely got cloudy and still is this morning.

Here are my questions:
1. I already read about how CaHypo raises CH. If using this now for the SLAM, is there a difference in swim ability/safety when SLAMing with CaHypo instead? (I do plan to go buy Pool Essentials Chlorinating Liquid today and switch over to it). Vapors? Getting in eyes? Skin irritation?

2. The pool store said CaHypo is a better product for concrete pools. True?? I could just use it when not doing SLAM.

2. My test strip maxes out at 10 ppm FC and my K-2005 makes it a bit difficult since the higher the PPM the higher the range of color the window is. (1-2 vs 10-20).so I bought a higher range set that will come tomorrow hoping I can get closer to an accurate 12 PPM. Any other recommendations on accurate high level FC readings?

Thanks so much for you help!!
-Sawyer

The answer is no to all three. You need liquid chlorine and a recommended test kit (strips and pool store are not accurate) Cal hypo can tend to cause cloudyness when using it for a SLAM.

 

[kdsawyer]

Thanks for the advice. I went to get the liquid chlorine at Walmart and they already clearanced it and were out of stock. Is there anything inferior with using 7.75% liquid Bleach? If so, I can run to the pool shop instead to get liquid chlorine.

 

[Donldson]

Welcome to TFP, from a pool owner down near BG.

Menards in Oregon, Holland, and north Toledo are each showing about 2000 gallons of 12% liquid chlorine still in stock.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks for the advice. I went to get the liquid chlorine at Walmart and they already clearanced it and were out of stock. Is there anything inferior with using 7.75% liquid Bleach? If so, I can run to the pool shop instead to get liquid chlorine.

Its fine as long as its not clorox and is plain, unscented, no fragrances or fabric softeners. A pool store or hardware store probably has some as well.

 

[kdsawyer]

Thanks. I had used about 6 gallons of Clorox plain and un-scented until I read your reply. In other threads in TFP, I did not catch any major objections to Clorox. But I did come across a website that said to avoid it because excessive bleach can be toxic irritating skin and respiratory, cause pool scaling, and cloudiness. Is all that true?

What was your reason for avoiding Clorox as vs other forms of bleach? Those listed above or other.

I’m off to Menards to get the liquid chlorinator like @Mdragger88 mentioend.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks. I had used about 6 gallons of Clorox plain and un-scented until I read your reply. In other threads in TFP, I did not catch any major objections to Clorox. But I did come across a website that said to avoid it because excessive bleach can be toxic irritating skin and respiratory, cause pool scaling, and cloudiness. Is all that true?

What was your reason for avoiding Clorox as vs other forms of bleach? Those listed above or other.

I’m off to Menards to get the liquid chlorinator like @Mdragger88 mentioend.

Clorox almoat universally has “cloromax” technology which is basically soap. If you manage to find some, that’s just sodium hypochlorite then it’s fine to use

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks. I had used about 6 gallons of Clorox plain and un-scented until I read your reply. In other threads in TFP, I did not catch any major objections to Clorox. But I did come across a website that said to avoid it because excessive bleach can be toxic irritating skin and respiratory, cause pool scaling, and cloudiness. Is all that true?

I suppose it could possibly be partially true - depends on what excessive means. Maintaining fc up to slam level for your cya with it is fine. Sodium hypochlorite/liquid chlorine/plain bleach doesn’t cause scale or cloudiness.

What was your reason for avoiding Clorox as vs other forms of bleach? Those listed above or other.

Cloromax (polymers in clorox) and the ingredients in bleaches with “fabric protection” or splashless additives can cause trouble like cloudiness and bubbles.

I’m off to Menards to get the liquid chlorinator like @Mdragger88 mentioend.