CYA drop during SLAM

Chelsay724

Active member
Aug 3, 2023
38
Odessa Tx
My first CYA test was a couple days ago, before I started the SLAM process. The first result I got was 45, but I tested tonight and got 40. Should I adjust my FC level or just continue to maintain the original recommended level of FC? I'm very new to all if this, so I'm not sure if my tests were accurate or if it's a bit of user error. I'm using TF-100 kit.
 
I would let it mix for a while- if it was only a few inches it won’t have that much impact.
You don’t have to vac to waste during slam you can just vac to filter unless it’s alot of debris.
Also, if you must vac to waste try to brush everything to one area so you can get done quickly without losing so much water.
 
I would let it mix for a while- if it was only a few inches it won’t have that much impact.
You don’t have to vac to waste during slam you can just vac to filter unless it’s alot of debris.
Also, if you must vac to waste try to brush everything to one area so you can get done quickly without losing so much water.
Like a day or two? It was at 6 inches of water.
There's been a thin layer of dead algae that I've been vacuuming to the filter daily, but within hours it's back again. I started thinking that maybe it too small for the filter and going back into the pool. So I thought I'd try vacuuming to waste to test my theory. I haven't made it out to the pool yet this morning, so fingers crossed lol.
 
Several hours if you have been running the pump -
What is the normal water level of your pool in inches?
 
Well.. I think it helped because there's not near as much as there was yesterday, but I still see a few patches of dead algae. It seems like I push a lot of it around when vacuuming, so I always end up missing some. I try to move slow with the vacuum. Do you have any tips to help vacuum it up more effectively?
 
You’re never gonna get it all but getting the bulk out should help reduce strain on the filter.
Keep with slam level as often as you can.

If you had sand in the filter instead of the poly ball things I would suggest adding a little DE to the filter to help catch the smaller particles & then vac to filter but not sure how that would work with the balls, might make a mess.
 

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You’re never gonna get it all but getting the bulk out should help reduce strain on the filter.
Keep with slam level as often as you can.

If you had sand in the filter instead of the poly ball things I would suggest adding a little DE to the filter to help catch the smaller particles & then vac to filter but not sure how that would work with the balls, might make a mess.
I'm a little confused. Do I need to continue slamming until the dead algae is gone? If so, and I'll never get it all out, what do I do? Seems like a never ending process 😭
 
SLAM Process - reread the SLAM process. There are three clear criteria for knowing you're finished.

If you still see algae, there's no way to know if that's old or new. But is indicative that you're not finished.
Sand filters are by far the slowest.
 
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I'm a little confused. Do I need to continue slamming until the dead algae is gone? If so, and I'll never get it all out, what do I do? Seems like a never ending process 😭
Yes - & you will - don’t worry!
There should be less & less each day.
I can’t stress enough that the poly balls may be inhibiting your ability to clear the pool. Many people find that they fill up with gunk that doesn’t all come out when they backwash & thus they become a very ineffective filter media.
The chlorine kills the stuff- the filter needs to be able to remove it.
 
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SLAM Process - reread the SLAM process. There are three clear criteria for knowing you're finished.

If you still see algae, there's no way to know if that's old or new. But is indicative that you're not finished.
Sand filters are by far the slowest.
I've read it so many times, I practically have it memorized 😂 jk. I was just a bit thrown off when she said I'll never get it all out but yet I have to in order to complete the slam process. Tomorrow makes 4 weeks since I started to slam. Everyday has been spent religiously brushing, vacuuming and maintaining chlorine levels. I'm beginning to feel discouraged and I think I'm driving my husband and mom crazy with the constant pool work. On the brightside, I'm tanner than I've ever been lol.
 
Yes - & you will - don’t worry!
There should be less & less each day.
I can’t stress enough that the poly balls may be inhibiting your ability to clear the pool. Many people find that they fill up with gunk that doesn’t all come out when they backwash & thus they become a very ineffective filter media.
The chlorine kills the stuff- the filter needs to be able to remove it.
Thank you! You've been so helpful through this whole process!
I realize the balls are not the best. The problem is that I'm maintaining my mom's pool and she can be a little stubborn about things. I'm going to try to convince her to switch at some point. I just have to get the timing right. She's always followed the pool stores advice, so I'm not sure she believes what I'm doing is really working or she thinks that I'm making it more difficult than it needs to be. She doesn't really understand what I'm doing to the pool or what SLAMing is.
The balls definitely do get dirty fast and need to be washed every week or two. I've read conflicting things about backwashing them and that you can suck the balls into the pump and cause damage. So I've opted not to do that and just wash them frequently. Which is a major pain.
 
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