Choose your battles..

[lily8]

New to TFP. Started SLAM 8/26. Definitely YA. Brushed 2x daily first 2 days then 1x since. Not seeing plume of dust like first brushing. Have made calculated chlorine additions when needed. Tested 3x daily. OCLT tried last 2 nites. Failed both 1.5 & 4ppm respectively. Noticed cya down today (30) from starting 40. Lotta rain yesterday. Had to pump off approx 1 1/2". May be reason for decrease
? Please advise as almost 1 wk invested & questioning if it's wiser to wave the white flag

 

[lily8]

Forgot today's test: cya: 30
TA: 100
PH, Chl & BR all above max
FC: 12.5
Thanks

 

[Bperry]

Forgot today's test: cya: 30
TA: 100
PH, Chl & BR all above max
FC: 12.5
Thanks

Are you doing a SLAM? Make sure you follow the instructions precisely since you shouldn’t be testing anything other than FC during the SLAM.

How bad is the water? One week of SLAM isn’t not very long.

 

[lily8]

Yes slamming since 8/26. Water has been crystal clear. Just keep failing oclt. No visible algae. Only tested cya today as it affects calculation of slam target level. Thought adjustment might be needed to pass oclt.

 

[Bperry]

Yes slamming since 8/26. Water has been crystal clear. Just keep failing oclt. No visible algae. Only tested cya today as it affects calculation of slam target level. Thought adjustment might be needed to pass oclt.

Algae isn’t gone until you pass an OCLT. Keep going.

Also note: you don’t have bromine so you don’t need to test that.

 

[ajw22]

SLAM Process can have a long tail before you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Stay the course and keep it going.

 

[PoolStored]

If you can test and replace FC every 2-3 hours it will go faster.

 

[Mdragger88]

Be sure to also do all the other things too.
Check & scrub every spot algae may hide- ladders, steps (inside and out),
weir doors (& the foam), light niches, drains, overflow, auto fill, covers, water features etc.
if water can go there algae can hide there.

 

[lily8]

Thank you for all the tips. I didn't think slam would take so long as I started with clear water & only spotty algae. Have no problem testing frequently & adding chlorine if needed. It's the brushing that takes the wind out of this "elderly" chick.

 

[lily8]

One more question. At beginning of slam process on 8/26 cya was 40. Today, when tested, was 30. Stick with original test or adjust for fc level to continue slam? I was very discouraged today so no action was taken (brushing or fc maintained).

 

[Bperry]

One more question. At beginning of slam process on 8/26 cya was 40. Today, when tested, was 30. Stick with original test or adjust for fc level to continue slam? I was very discouraged today so no action was taken (brushing or fc maintained).

So you can see the dot at 40 but not 30?

 

[lily8]

Correct. I find this test a little subjective depending on your personal vision level. Any tips regarding this? I still see shadow of dot at 40 but totally disappears at 30.

 

[ajw22]

Correct. I find this test a little subjective depending on your personal vision level. Any tips regarding this? I still see shadow of dot at 40 but totally disappears at 30.

We round up so your CYA is 40.

Use a FC of 16 for your SLAM FC.

 

[proavia]

Correct. I find this test a little subjective depending on your personal vision level. Any tips regarding this? I still see shadow of dot at 40 but totally disappears at 30.

Which means your CYA is between 30 and 40 - round up to 40.
Only test FC during the SLAM Process. You already had a solid CYA of 40 to start - stick with that CYA.

Follow the SLAM Process to the letter. No shortcuts. No testing of anything not defined in the SLAM Process.

 

[lily8]

Ok. Thanks. Back at it tomorrow.

 

[PoolStored]

One more question. At beginning of slam process on 8/26 cya was 40. Today, when tested, was 30. Stick with original test or adjust for fc level to continue slam? I was very discouraged today so no action was taken (brushing or fc maintained).

Replace FC often (every two hours). Brush at least once a day. Do what you can.

 

[lily8]

Thanks for the encouragement!! I'll need it

 

[lily8]

Well I finally passed the OCLT!!!! Water is crystal clear & has been. No sign of dead or live algae. CC less than. 5. When do I start to adjust levels to normal? Tested fc today as 1. Put floater w/tabs back in pool. Should I also throw some cal hypo in? Also when should I close the pool & what do I need to add at closing? Thanks.

 

[Newdude]

When do I start to adjust levels to normal?

Now. Unless the FC is still 10+, then the Ph has to wait. The others are good to go now.

And congrats.

Put floater w/tabs back in pool.

Each tab raises your CYA by 2. Every 5 tabs needs more daily FC to sanitize at the same level.

Should I also throw some cal hypo in?

That'll jack your calcium instead.
(Although you probably have plenty of room to spare).

As an FYI, large doses can cause cloudiness for a couple days.

Also when should I close

As late as possible. You want the water temps below 60 and daily demand is so low at that point, it's really nothing to go 2 or 3 more weeks just in case it gets warm again.

what do I need to add at closing?

Two choices

1) close at half slam and add polyquat60
2) close at full slam and skip the PQ

 

[PoolStored]

Tested fc today as 1.

How did you let FC get so low?