CYA before SLAM?

lharris

Member
Jun 2, 2024
11
st louis, mo
Hello-
I’m dealing with a blue but cloudy pool. I’m fairly sure we had some algae overwinter in the pool due to poor care last year (new baby).
I plan to SLAM but my CYA is 0 right now.
My question is do I need to get CYA up to 30 before SLAM or do I start SLAM to assess for an ammonia issue first?
I’m worried about SLAM levels damaging liner or pool equip without CYA but don’t have the time, energy, or money to waste chemicals.
TIA!
 
Yes, sorry!
18k gallon, vinyl liner, sand filter
TC - 3
FC - 1
PH - 7.2
CYA - 0
Alk - 80
Very high hardness.

Pool water is blue but so cloudy I can’t see the bottom. Vacuumed to waste after opening and overfilling. Looking to SLAM, but unsure of I should add CYA before doing so.
 
Thank you. What test kit did you use? From your data, you have a CC of 2. Are you sure of that?
 
You cannot safely and accurately perform a SLAM with that kit.

You need one of these to perform a SLAM. Link-->Test Kits Compared

We recommend you add 3ppm of Liquid Chlorine a day until the kit arrives. Nothing else. This will stunt the algae growth.

When it arrives, post up numbers and we'll get our SLAM on...

As to your original question, yes, you want at least 30ppm of CYA in the pool when you SLAM. Without an accurate test, do not add CYA to the pool until you get your test kit, it can make the situation much more difficult and expensive.
 
You cannot safely and accurately perform a SLAM with that kit.

You need one of these to perform a SLAM. Link-->Test Kits Compared

We recommend you add 3ppm of Liquid Chlorine a day until the kit arrives. Nothing else. This will stunt the algae growth.

When it arrives, post up numbers and we'll get our SLAM on...

As to your original question, yes, you want at least 30ppm of CYA in the pool when you SLAM. Without an accurate test, do not add CYA to the pool until you get your test kit, it can make the situation much more difficult and expensive.
Got it. I ordered the TF100 kit with the SLAM add on.
I will post my numbers when the kit comes in and maintain 3ppm TC until then. Thank you!
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Looks like it's been holding some chlorine.
With ammonia and your low FC levels, the FC would be totally gone quickly.

But if it makes you feel better, add 10ppm of chlorine (pump running) and test in 30 minutes.
If you have more than 5 ppm left, your good to SLAM - after hanging the CYA in a sock in front of a return.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88
Ok, sock of cya is hanging and we are SLAMing.
My questions now are:
1. How long do I wait before retesting cya?
2. When doing the fas/ dpd test the solution will go clear and then tinge pink after 5 or so seconds. Do I take this into account and continue or do I end the test when it initially goes clear?
3. Since I’m adding cya, do I continue with 10ppm SLAM or do I need to aim higher since I’m actively adding stabilizer?

Thank you so much for all the help!
 
1. How long do I wait before retesting cya?
Ignore it until you are done with SLAM
2. When doing the fas/ dpd test the solution will go clear and then tinge pink after 5 or so seconds. Do I take this into account and continue or do I end the test when it initially goes clear?
Ignore it. Clear, you are done.
3. Since I’m adding cya, do I continue with 10ppm SLAM or do I need to aim higher since I’m actively adding stabilizer?
Slam with the target CYA that you added.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lharris

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.