Closing pool water levels and more recommendations please

[AndrewO]

We will be closing the pool soon and I have read the page here on closing. As far as the pool levels, the slam, and polyquat is what I would like more help on. It took us about 8-10 weeks to get pool clean this year from not opening the prior year and cover tearing so we want to avoid that mess again.
I now feel pretty comfortable testing the water thanks to this site so I’m hoping I can get the steps on recommend pool levels, what to do in what order and more about the polyquat.
Thanks

 

[wireform]

Get all the levels right, ph included. I've never used polyquat in closing and the recommended way is to bring up to full slam then let it drop off to half and add the polquat. I find/found full slam works for me everytime with good results. The equally important ingredient is closing at 60° water and opening to the same 60°. I also like to pump off the pool once or twice during the off season keeping the water off/below the cover so the sun is never in contact with it.

 

[Homebrewale]

wireform is right in that an important step is that the water be 60F or below when closing. You don't list your specific location in NC but it may not be until November before the temperature of the water is that low unless you are in the western part of the state.

 

[AndrewO]

I’m north of Charlotte about 40 miles. I will test temperature before we close to make sure it’s not too soon.

But, for when we do- all other levels in range and then for the slam I’d need to get to 20 fc. So do I add the amount needed to get to 20 then test every so often and when we hit 10 fc add the polyquat and let it circulate for so long ?

 

[Newdude]

So do I add the amount needed to get to 20 then test every so often and when we hit 10 fc add the polyquat and let it circulate for so long ?

So Slam isn't needed without a reason. But oh so many folks slack on maintenance in the tail end of the season that many need the correction.

With zero traces of algae anywhere and a passed OCLT, you can skip the slam and go right to half slam with PQ.

Or slam because you have traces of algae or failed the OCLT. Then let FC drift down to 10 after passing slam and add PQ.

30 mins of mixing later, you're good to close.

 

[Homebrewale]

Since it may be awhile before the water temperature is 60F or below, you can soft close if you have a safety cover. What you do is install the safety cover and then continue to run your equipment until the water temperature is lower. The safety cover keeps the leaves and other debris out of the pool. Do a full close when the water reaches 60F.

 

[AndrewO]

The water temp isn’t low enough to close so we’re having to wait a while longer. I’ve been checking pool every other day lately but am running into some algae already. We probably won’t get in again as it’s to cold for us for not cold enough to close so I am trying to keep it clear until we can close. Any recommendations to keep the algae away long enough before I add the polyquat at closing?

 

[Newdude]

Any recommendations to keep the algae away long enough before I add the polyquat at closing?

It needs a SLAM Process and then the proper FC/CYA Levels until close