First time using Slam

[Benderb36]

I decided to add some Diatomaceous earth to help my sand filter clear my pool up. I added about less than half of a red solo cup. Pressure went up about 1 psi which from what i read is where you want to be. After about 2 hours the pressure goes up about 7-10 psi. Is that normal? When I backwash the water is dirty for maybe 15 seconds than clear. Am I doing this correctly and I just need to keep doing this until it clears up?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes - normal.
You must replenish after each backwash as it gets washed away. Only add pool grade de when you know you’ll be around to backwash when needed.
Are you trying to clear a cloudy pool?
Are you doing the
SLAM Process ?

 

[Benderb36]

Yes trying to clear a cloudy pool. I did have an algae when i opened it and got the water clear but then the water slowly turned cloudy again. I'm going to have to start the SLAM tonight. I have the k-2006 and a hardware store next door that sells liquid chlorine. This will be my first time doing the SLAM so I'll post my readings tonight/tomorrow morning.

Thank you!

 

[Mdragger88]

May want to hold off on the de until you start passing
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test or you’ll just be constantly backwashing

 

[Benderb36]

I'll do that, thanks for the info!

 

[Benderb36]

Hello, I'm trying the SLAM for the first time and figured I would post my current readings then post my readings in the morning. Pool is currently cloudy with a green tint not terrible. I've attached pictures.

Currently my readings are.

TA : 110
PH : 7.8
CH : 250
CY : 40
FC : 12
CC : 0
I did add 153oz of liquid chlorine tonight after I did my test.

Can I increase my CH and lower my TA while doing a SLAM?

Thank you!

 

[mknauss]

Good start. I hope you read through SLAM Process

Once you start the SLAM, only test FC. Do not bother with other parameters until the SLAM criteria is met.

You have a vinyl pool. There is no need to add calcium

 

[Benderb36]

Just completed testing

TA - 110
PH - 7.8
CH - 250
CY - 40
FC - 13
CC - 0

Added 115oz of Liquid Chlorine to get me back to my target of 16. Pool is still cloudy but looks to have less green tint. (Kind of hard to tell at 5:30am) I plan on going home at lunch to test again.

Should I be running my pump at full speed during the SLAM? I have been running it at 3200 from 4pm-11pm then dropping it to 2800 from 11pm-4pm.

I do have a question about backwashing, my pressure is around 8-9psi when i have my pump running at 2800, what is the ideal psi to backwash? Or, do i just backwash everyday since I'm Slamming?

My IC40 went bad and is being replaced (luckily it was covered by warranty) I've been doing some reading about which salt cell to get and I'm wondering if I should upgrade to an IC-60 if I can. Not sure if I can since I'm getting a warranty replacement.

Thank you!

 

[Mdragger88]

Have patience- completing a slam can take a week or more depending upon what you’re starting with - just stick with the process.
SLAM ON

 

[Benderb36]

Appreciate the reply. I have another thread started to track my readings during the SLAM! Hardware store has a sale on Chlorine so that's a plus haha.

 

[mknauss]

Once again, no need to test anything other than FC during the SLAM process.

What VS pump do you have. Only need is to circulate. Likely you can run the pump at a much lower rpm. Mine runs at 1600 rpm.

Backwash when your filter pressure rises by 25% over the clean filter pressure. Sounds like the 2800 rpm is a good place to measure that.

You would be better served by an IC60.

 

[Benderb36]

I have a Pentair VS Pump. My way of thinking is it will filter more the higher the speed. Is that the case or does it not make much of a difference?

 

[mknauss]

What Pentair VS pump? There are many. Please put more detail in your signature.

Again, you want the water circulating. The filtering is better at lower speeds.

 

[Benderb36]

Tested on my lunch break

FC - 11.5
CC - 0

Added 173 oz of Chlorine

Brushed as much as I could in my 30 min.

Water is looking a little better, saw green dust while brushing.

Lowered my pump rpm to 2000, Filter is at 12psi, will backwash when i get home.

 

[Benderb36]

I did notice when i did my FC test, after I was done adding the chlorine i went back to put my test kit away and the test went from clear back to pink. Is that normal?

 

[mknauss]

Once you are done with a test, dispose of the test sample. If it sits it will turn pink again.

 

[Benderb36]

Latest tests

6/20 10pm Check - After light pool use

FC - 10.5

Added 221oz of chlorine

Brushed and backwashed.

Pool still cloudy but pool looking more blue. Can make out the main drain in the deep end but still very cloudy. Shallow end is getting better.

6/21 5:00am Check

FC - 14

Added 77oz of chlorine

Hard to tell how clear due to darkness.

Sticking to the plan, hope to see some better results by the end of the weekend. I'll be able to brush, vacuum, and test more often.

 

[Benderb36]

Progress pictures

 

[Benderb36]

Finished my SLAM. Took me about 2 weeks but was well worth it. Pool has never looked this good. Appreciate all the advice and help from everyone! Wife is very happy