Cannot get FC up, pool water foaming

[BigDaddyJeepin]

This should be in your signature...as your Filter. The wowreed is just the cartridge.

Signature updated.

 

[BigDaddyJeepin]

Sounds like you are using Pool Essentials 10% chlorinating liquid from Walmart.

Yes, that is what I am using.

have you ever tested 15 minutes after dosing to see how close you are getting?

I have not, but I will try that tomorrow. I never thought about that unfortunately

Are you confident in your pool volume of 10,000 gallons?

I am 90% confident in a pool volume of 10,000 gallons (I had been 100% before you asked), but if I remember correctly that was based on the information in the system at the local Pinch-a-Penny that the previous homeowners (who had the pool built) used. The previous homeowners gave us all of the paperwork and invoices from the pool builders and I will dig through that tomorrow again to see if the actual gallons are listed anywhere, I also have the original drawings I believe.

Recommend you log and save your test results in PoolMath, not just your chemical additions.

I will start doing that, I just realized you didn't need the premium subscription to log test results , which I don't have yet. I have been keeping a manual log of the FC and CC since I started the SLAM process.

Log only the tests you do at any particular time.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this, like if I only test the chlorine, only log that?

If you can, replace your 0-160 psi pressure gauge with a liquid filled one that reads 0-30 psi.

I just replaced the old one with that gauge, I got a little overzealous in ordering when I was going to start the SLAM process and noticed my old one started never changing pressure, and when I ordered didn't realize I got one that went up to 160 psi. I will get a new one ordered, changing it again will be good practice. (Picture of old one vs new one attached)

Thank you for your assistance!

 

[proavia]

I have not, but I will try that tomorrow. I never thought about that unfortunately

Yeah - important you get to SLAM level. The chlorine could be old (check the date code on the bottle) or the pool volume off a bit.

I will start doing that, I just realized you didn't need the premium subscription to log test results , which I don't have yet. I have been keeping a manual log of the FC and CC since I started the SLAM process.

Premium subscription will allow unlimited logging of results. Free version only allows saving of most recent. As long as you have a written log to refer to if needed it's fine - although the saving the logs with the app may be easier.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this, like if I only test the chlorine, only log that?

Yes

I will get a new one ordered

Cool - will make monitoring the pressure easier for you.

Stay the course, the process works!

 

[BigDaddyJeepin]

My apologies for being so absent, it has been a crazy and hectic last couple of weeks; that's life right?

I am coming back with an update, we have continued with the SLAM process, we have gone through a lot of bleach, but we can now see the bottom of the pool! It is still cloudy and the bottom is not clearly visible, but we can see it!

@PoolStored, @proavia thank you very much for your help and suggestions and patience! We have replaced our pressure gauge with a 0-30 psi gauge, replaced our leaky pressure release valve, replaced our leaky filter o-ring, and installed a new filter cartridge from Pleatco (going to keep the other one to rotate out as needed).

A little over 2 hours ago we added the required bleach per pool math, and when testing it now it is still at the required SLAM level of 20 FC (tested twice to make sure) with a reading of 1 CC . The filter also hasn't raised in pressure. I assume these are all good signs, especially the 20 FC and 1 CC.

Any suggestions and information is greatly appreciated! Thank you again!

 

[proavia]

Nice gauge!

Continue the SLAM Process.
You are close to entering the POP (Pool Owner Patience) phase - waiting for the water to get clear.

 

[BigDaddyJeepin]

Nice gauge!

Continue the SLAM Process.
You are close to entering the POP (Pool Owner Patience) phase - waiting for the water to get clear.

Thank you! It is much easier to read that's for sure!

I do have a question maybe you can answer, why during this SLAM process do I need to have my SWG switched off? When in the orocess can I turn it back on? When the SLAM process is over? Thank you!

 

[proavia]

Wait until the SLAM Process is fully complete before turning the SWG on..

SWG is good at maintaining chlorine under normal conditions. It isn't good at increasing chlorine a lot or keeping up with FC demand during a SLAM. Additionally, it is better to have the SWG off during the SLAM Process so the pool owner can keep better track of FC usage. Also, with the SWG on during the SLAM, many forget to turn it completely off for the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and then think they pass the OCLT cause they think they didn't lose any FC overnight - when in fact, the SWG was on, producing and adding chlorine.

 

[BigDaddyJeepin]

Wait until the SLAM Process is fully complete before turning the SWG on..

SWG is good at maintaining chlorine under normal conditions. It isn't good at increasing chlorine a lot or keeping up with FC demand during a SLAM. Additionally, it is better to have the SWG off during the SLAM Process so the pool owner can keep better track of FC usage. Also, with the SWG on during the SLAM, many forget to turn it completely off for the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and then think they pass the OCLT cause they think they didn't lose any FC overnight - when in fact, the SWG was on, producing and adding chlorine.

Thank you very much for the insight and answer! I will stick with leaving it off. Thank you again!