I just received my new test reagents and now ready for my SLAM. I’ve struggled the last couple of years with recurring alage and want to get it right this time. My question is is it a must to adjust my PH down to 7.2 beforehand ? I’m running 7.8 right now. Also should I vacuum up and brush pool beforehand? Thanks guys. I need to get this right as I have fought lots Of alage blooms the last 2 years
Getting ready to SLAM
- Thread starter Grayman43
- Start date
Hey Grayman !!!!
Yes, the PH needs to come down. Once the FC is 10 or above you'll get false high PH readings. So if you start with plenty of wiggle room, you can make it a week or two and still be in range.
Vacuuming and brushing are your 2 new best friends. Feel free to get a head start now on both. But definitely do both frequently during the SLAM.
Yes, the PH needs to come down. Once the FC is 10 or above you'll get false high PH readings. So if you start with plenty of wiggle room, you can make it a week or two and still be in range.
Vacuuming and brushing are your 2 new best friends. Feel free to get a head start now on both. But definitely do both frequently during the SLAM.
These are the things that I have learned from the forum.
The lower pH is pretty important. One, it helps make the chlorine more effective at killing algae, second it normally cannot be checked during the SLAM Process as the FC is above 10ppm. Test your pH when the FC is 10 ppm or less and adjust the pH to 7.2
The bare minimum amount of times to test and re-dose the pool during a SLAM process is 3x/day. The more often you can do it, say every 2 hours or so at first, the faster the SLAM will go. Test and adjust chlorine levels as frequently as practical, but not more than once per hour, and not less than twice a day.
Chlorine additions should be frequent, especially at the beginning. Algae and other organic debris will consume chlorine very rapidly at first. As things progress, you will lose less chlorine each cycle and can add chlorine less frequently.
Brush and vacuum the entire pool once a day.
Backwash or clean the filter as needed
The lower pH is pretty important. One, it helps make the chlorine more effective at killing algae, second it normally cannot be checked during the SLAM Process as the FC is above 10ppm. Test your pH when the FC is 10 ppm or less and adjust the pH to 7.2
The bare minimum amount of times to test and re-dose the pool during a SLAM process is 3x/day. The more often you can do it, say every 2 hours or so at first, the faster the SLAM will go. Test and adjust chlorine levels as frequently as practical, but not more than once per hour, and not less than twice a day.
Chlorine additions should be frequent, especially at the beginning. Algae and other organic debris will consume chlorine very rapidly at first. As things progress, you will lose less chlorine each cycle and can add chlorine less frequently.
Brush and vacuum the entire pool once a day.
Backwash or clean the filter as needed
Thanks guys . Added acid this afternoon to lower PH. Going to test PH later on and then start the slam. Latest test results.
pH 7.8 before adding acid
Cya 40
FC 3.5
CC 0
going to slam because I can see small parts of alage on bottom and sides. Using 10% bleach . Looks like I need to target 16 ppm of FC so I will add 3.5 jugs to start Then brush and Test and adjust . On track?
pH 7.8 before adding acid
Cya 40
FC 3.5
CC 0
going to slam because I can see small parts of alage on bottom and sides. Using 10% bleach . Looks like I need to target 16 ppm of FC so I will add 3.5 jugs to start Then brush and Test and adjust . On track?
This checks out on Pool Math Just remember, the goal is to keep the FC at 16ppm so test and reapply LC as needed. In addition to your brushing.
Yes and thanks for the reminder. Last time I screwed the pooch on the maintain part lol. I’m off tomorrow so I can Check every frequently. Thanks for the advice I’ll let everybody know the outcome .
At first, every 2 hours is best as it will chew through your FC. After a day or 2, It will hold for 4 hours, then 6..... 8.... 12. The better you Maintain, the quicker it goes. Once it’s gets blue and cloudy it’s mostly dead and you still maintain, but the battle shifts from a chemistry fight to a filter it all out fight. You still keep the FC up to not lose any ground, but the babysitting shifts focus to the filter. Backwash/rinse anytime the filter rises 25% of its psi. You got this. Keep us posted !!
Thanks. Pool in pretty clear but spots of alage keep appearing and this has been a recurring theme. That’s why I’m slamming and nope I’m not just being paranoid.
If you see it, Treat it. (SLAM) 
An ounce of prevention whoops a pound of cure and the SLaM will be much easier the sooner you start it. With regular testing (going forward) you will have an early warning system to tip you off long before something becomes a nightmare.
we see many new members stating that except for the ‘dust’, the water is clear. It is usually a struggle to convince them that algae can sit at the threshold of being seen, ready to explode into pea soup. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they blame the filter or something else and lose big time.
Keeping your FC in range will kill the beginning of any bloom and tip you off when you see the dead algae on the floor. Many times you won’t even get to that part because you would have already seen the issue from testing.
if at any time the pool loses it’s beautiful sparkle, it is no longer ‘clear’. Perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test which removes sunlight and bathers from the equation. If you lose FC overnight in the dark, then it can only be organics eating it. If you pass the OCLT, then we move onto other thoughts like pollen and farm dirt/dust. But. While we figure out those causes, you’re not worried about the algae bloom if it takes a week or two for the filter to filter out the harmless stuffs.
You’re doing great. Keep it up and keep us posted !!
An ounce of prevention whoops a pound of cure and the SLaM will be much easier the sooner you start it. With regular testing (going forward) you will have an early warning system to tip you off long before something becomes a nightmare.
we see many new members stating that except for the ‘dust’, the water is clear. It is usually a struggle to convince them that algae can sit at the threshold of being seen, ready to explode into pea soup. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they blame the filter or something else and lose big time.
Keeping your FC in range will kill the beginning of any bloom and tip you off when you see the dead algae on the floor. Many times you won’t even get to that part because you would have already seen the issue from testing.
if at any time the pool loses it’s beautiful sparkle, it is no longer ‘clear’. Perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test which removes sunlight and bathers from the equation. If you lose FC overnight in the dark, then it can only be organics eating it. If you pass the OCLT, then we move onto other thoughts like pollen and farm dirt/dust. But. While we figure out those causes, you’re not worried about the algae bloom if it takes a week or two for the filter to filter out the harmless stuffs.
You’re doing great. Keep it up and keep us posted !!
Ooooooooh. I almost forgot. Brushing !!! Lots and lots of brushing through the process. Algae grows a biofilm over itself on the walls/floor to protect it from the chlorine. Brushing removes the film, stirs some of it up into the water to be killed, and exposes the formerly protected stuff to be killed as well.
You’ll want a couple of times a day to start. As it winds down you can ease up to once or twice a day. Going forward, weekly brushing will keep the surfaces clean. The vinyl pool also gives you an early warning. If it ever feels slippery, or anything other than literally squeaky clean, That’s the biofilm/algae starting. My kids were the best detection agency out there. Ewwwww Daddy it’s slimy over here (as they did handstands or whatever). SWEET !!!! I’ll brush it later.
You’ll want a couple of times a day to start. As it winds down you can ease up to once or twice a day. Going forward, weekly brushing will keep the surfaces clean. The vinyl pool also gives you an early warning. If it ever feels slippery, or anything other than literally squeaky clean, That’s the biofilm/algae starting. My kids were the best detection agency out there. Ewwwww Daddy it’s slimy over here (as they did handstands or whatever). SWEET !!!! I’ll brush it later.
thanks . Dumb question. I just added enough bleach to raise FC from 3 to 16 per pool math. Should I test right after I added or just assume I got it to 16 and see where I’m at in a couple of hours?
Give it 20 minutes and verify you reached your target. In a couple of hours you won’t know if you aren’t at target because of the algae, the bleach lost potency, or you didn’t add enough.
test
Add
Verify results
Always
Just tested and 315 est and I’m at 17 ppm. Next test at 515. I’m pumped.
Put in the simplest of terms, let’s sum up TFP.
have reliable test results
Know where you are
Know exactly what you are adding
Know exactly what it will do
(Or what poolmath says it will do)
Verify it did what it was supposed to
Enjoy tasty beverage and pat yourself on the back
You got this.
have reliable test results
Know where you are
Know exactly what you are adding
Know exactly what it will do
(Or what poolmath says it will do
)Verify it did what it was supposed to
Enjoy tasty beverage and pat yourself on the back
You got this.
Quick update. Was not able to test FC until 615 or so. 3 hours I lost 2.5ppm from 16 to 13.5. Bumped FC back up to 16.
Today’s update.
yesterday 10 pm tested, adjusted FC from 14 back to 16. Cc zero
This am tested and adjusted from 15 to 16. Feel good where I’m at. Only issues is I see a small area of brown looking algae . I brushed it and FC is at 16. Will test in 3 hours again.
yesterday 10 pm tested, adjusted FC from 14 back to 16. Cc zero
This am tested and adjusted from 15 to 16. Feel good where I’m at. Only issues is I see a small area of brown looking algae . I brushed it and FC is at 16. Will test in 3 hours again.
Pool. Owner. Patience. It’s going easy now so keep at it and enjoy the less babysitting. If you slack you can be right back to square one or worse.
This is exactly where we lose the most folks. They get impatient and run to the pool store who gladly sells them shock, floc, or some other crock. (Registered trademark of Newdudecorp). They toast their filter and still have the original residual issues which snowball in the time off, right back to square one.
stay the course. You’re doing GREAT.
This is exactly where we lose the most folks. They get impatient and run to the pool store who gladly sells them shock, floc, or some other crock. (Registered trademark of Newdudecorp). They toast their filter and still have the original residual issues which snowball in the time off, right back to square one.
stay the course. You’re doing GREAT.
Thanks. Quick update. In five hours I went from 16 to 12 ppm. Added 140 ounces. Water is super clear. Just a small ham of free chlorine barely turns pink. Does it seem like I’m still on the right path
Yes.
Learn from your mistakes.
With clear water and as much loss as you are seeing it sounds like algae is hiding somewhere. Check all and crannies. Inside the skimmer has been an issue before, particularly the foam-y part that makes the weir door float. Pull/empty your ladder if you have one. Run any water features if you have those. Scrub steps and light niches. Anywhere you think it’s hiding in plain sight. If you look at it that way, you may find a few spots.
Backwash your filter real good too, there may be residuals hiding in there.
Give the pool a vigorous brushing.
One or all of these things will help.