*HELP* First time SLAM / Newbie pool owner SLAM confusion

[saltygunz]

Hi everyone, bought a house with a pool, never had one before. About to start SLAM tomorrow, bought everything i need.

Tested the water and everything is non existent. water is green.
0 FC
6.8 Ph
0 CYA

Spent most of the day topping up the pool since it was low, to reach the skimmer so i can start the pump.

Will start SLAM tomorrow early morning.
My question is do i add CYA first, wait then add Ph to raise it to 7.2 and after that add Liquid Chlorine? Thats whats confusing me. CYA- Ph and then chlorine? And if so how long should i wait in between? After adding the chlorine, start vacuuming right away? Or wait?

No clue what im doing, but i have read alot here and learning ..

Thank you all.

 

[Bperry]

Hi everyone, bought a house with a pool, never had one before. About to start SLAM tomorrow, bought everything i need.

Tested the water and everything is non existent. water is green.
0 FC
6.8 Ph
0 CYA

Spent most of the day topping up the pool since it was low, to reach the skimmer so i can start the pump.

Will start SLAM tomorrow early morning.
My question is do i add CYA first, wait then add Ph to raise it to 7.2 and after that add Liquid Chlorine? Thats whats confusing me. CYA- Ph and then chlorine? And if so how long should i wait in between? After adding the chlorine, start vacuuming right away? Or wait?

No clue what im doing, but i have read alot here and learning ..

Thank you all.

Welcome! You need a test kit in order to perform a SLAM, do you have one of these?

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[saltygunz]

Yes , I went ahead and got the Taylor K-2006C test kit due to the faster shipping

 

[Bperry]

Yes , I went ahead and got the Taylor K-2006C test kit due to the faster shipping

Then you’re good to add 30ppm stabilzer in a sock hanging in front of a pool return and add liquid chlorine up to SLAM level right after.

youll nees to test the TA in order for the pH to be adjusted. If TA is high then your pH has probably already risen to 7. If TA is under 50 then you should raise it to 50-60ppm.

 

[saltygunz]

Then you’re good to add 30ppm stabilzer in a sock hanging in front of a pool return and add liquid chlorine up to SLAM level right after.

youll nees to test the TA in order for the pH to be adjusted. If TA is high then your pH has probably already risen to 7. If TA is under 50 then you should raise it to 50-60ppm.

Ok so, add Stablizer, add chlorine right after, and dont worry about pH till i get a TA reading? I thought the SLAM required pH level to be adjusted prior to beginning? It says reading wont be accurate during the SLAM

 

[Bperry]

Ok so, add Stablizer, add chlorine right after, and dont worry about pH till i get a TA reading? I thought the SLAM required pH level to be adjusted prior to beginning? It says reading wont be accurate during the SLAM

Test the TA now, assuming you have the taylor kit on hand. Once you have that, you can adjust the pH if needed but if the TA is high like it usually is then your pH probably isnt 6.8 anymore anyway.

 

[saltygunz]

Test the TA now, assuming you have the taylor kit on hand. Once you have that, you can adjust the pH if needed but if the TA is high like it usually is then your pH probably isnt 6.8 anymore anyway.

Got it thank you, ill add the chemicals and test, i will post results when i have them.

 

[saltygunz]

Test the TA now, assuming you have the taylor kit on hand. Once you have that, you can adjust the pH if needed but if the TA is high like it usually is then your pH probably isnt 6.8 anymore anyway.

Tested TA, a bit confused, water turn pink / light red at 1 drop so that makes it 10- gets darker red at 14- so 140?

 

[PoolStored]

Drop drops until the color does not change again. Subtract that last drop. That is your TA.

 

[saltygunz]

Ok so im at 100 TA In that case at the start of the slam and pH at 6.8.

Added chlorine and CYA according to pool math at 12PM to reach SLAM 12

New readings as of now 3:30pm
FC -6 PPM
CYA -45
TA-100
pH- 6.8 or lower (color is yellow)

Now according to pool math I should add an additional 153 oz liquid chlorine for SLAM 18
does that sound right?

Water looks cloudy which I'm guessing is normal at this stage

 

[PoolStored]

Raise your pH to 7.4 now before you add more chlorine, use 20 Mule Team Borax to raise pH.

 

[saltygunz]

Ok, adding borax now, how long should I wait before testing pH and adding chlorine?

 

[PoolStored]

30 minutes...brush around and keep pump running...Raise your pH in increments of .4...wait 30, test, repeat until you get to 7.4.

 

[Bperry]

Ok so im at 100 TA In that case at the start of the slam and pH at 6.8.

Added chlorine and CYA according to pool math at 12PM to reach SLAM 12

New readings as of now 3:30pm
FC -6 PPM
CYA -45
TA-100
pH- 6.8 or lower (color is yellow)

Now according to pool math I should add an additional 153 oz liquid chlorine for SLAM 18
does that sound right?

Water looks cloudy which I'm guessing is normal at this stage

Is the 6.8 pH what you meausred today or a couple days ago? The pH changes daily.

 

[saltygunz]

Is the 6.8 pH what you meausred today or a couple days ago? The pH changes daily

6.8 is from just now, and it was the same yesterday.

I started the SLAM today at 12 PM , needed to replace filter housing o ring I had a massive leak when I attempted to start the SLAM yesterday.

I checked pH yesterday, today before starting and at 3:30 PM today as well.

I did not add anything until just now I added 14oz of 20 Mule Borax.

I will re-check pH in 30 min and post results before increasing FC.

 

[saltygunz]

30 minutes...brush around and keep pump running...Raise your pH in increments of .4...wait 30, test, repeat until you get to 7.4.

Still low on pH, i will keep adding. Should I wait to add Chlorine till I get pH to proper levels? My Chlorine Is dropping

 

[saltygunz]

I am at FC 3.5 PPM right now.. sitting below my slam lvl

 

[Bperry]

Still low on pH, i will keep adding. Should I wait to add Chlorine till I get pH to proper levels? My Chlorine Is dropping

Are you sure you’re using the right pH drops? Thats pretty low pH.

 

[saltygunz]

I will run another test right now, according to the instructions this is what Im using

 

[saltygunz]

Same result, added 5 drops to 44 ml

Looks more like 7.2- 7.4 from the top

I know dip sticks are not accurate, but im getting same results