High alkalinity during SLAM

[shelly7783]

Hi,

Dealing with a cloudy pool and low chlorine, so in process of SLAM. Alkalinity is at 300, should I correct this now or wait until SLAM is completed? CH is also low (0).

Target SLAM 6-8. Last night FC was 9.5, this morning 6. Did a full test with taylor k-2006 this morning and is attached.

Thank you for any advice!

 

[PoolStored]

Deal with the SLAM. No need to test/change anything but FC. When you pass OCLT, test CC on that sample.

Slam on!

 

[PoolStored]

FOR AFTER SLAM:
There is no need to have CH in a vinyl pool, unless you have foaming, then raise to 120-150. If you have a heater, follow CH requirements in the manual.

The only issue with high TA is that it causes pH rise. When pH gets to 8, lower it with muriatic acid to 7.4, do it in .4 increments, testing 30 minutes later. When it gets to 8 again, which may take some days, lower again with muriatic. This process will lower TA naturally. When TA gets to 60-80, pH rise will slow. Only lower pH to 7.8 or so when TA gets to 60-80. Just manage pH

 

[Bperry]

Hi,

Dealing with a cloudy pool and low chlorine, so in process of SLAM. Alkalinity is at 300, should I correct this now or wait until SLAM is completed? CH is also low (0).

Target SLAM 6-8. Last night FC was 9.5, this morning 6. Did a full test with taylor k-2006 this morning and is attached.

Thank you for any advice!

I would check your test process again. Its very unlikely you have CH of zero. I’d also suggest double checking the TA test again if the CH test is off.

 

[mknauss]

CYA of 30 ppm minimum is needed to follow the SLAM Process

 

[PoolStored]

Target SLAM 6-8

What is your CYA, and how did you determine this target? Slam target is a single number, not a range.

 

[proavia]

What app did you use in the image you posted?
It's missing the all importamt CYA result and has some other issues as well.

Use PoolMath to log your test results.
I see you have PoolMath linked to your forum account already.

You last PoolMath CYA result was 53.
Was that from your K-2006 test kit?
If so, any reading over 50 and less than 60 gets rounded up to 60.
SLAM Process FC level for CYA 60 is 24.

 

[shelly7783]

CYA of 30 ppm minimum is needed to follow the SLAM Process

I had CYA of 53 to start on 6/1, today it was at 40. Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

I had CYA of 53 to start on 6/1, today it was at 40. Thanks!

You drained 30% of your pool volume? How are you testing?

 

[shelly7783]

What is your CYA, and how did you determine this target? Slam target is a single number, not a range.

I used TFP tool but just realized that was the maintenance target so my target is 20. Glad you said something, thank you! My CYA was 53 when I started the SLAM. Appreciate your help!

 

[proavia]

If your CYA was "53" - actually 60 - when you started the SLAM, use that CYA number until the SLAM is completed..

For CYA 60 the SLAM FC is 24.

 

[proavia]

Only test FC during the SLAM.
FC and CC for the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Follow the SLAM Process - to the letter.

 

[shelly7783]

What app did you use in the image you posted?
It's missing the all importamt CYA result and has some other issues as well.

Use PoolMath to log your test results.
I see you have PoolMath linked to your forum account already.

You last PoolMath CYA result was 53.
Was that from your K-2006 test kit?
If so, any reading over 50 and less than 60 gets rounded up to 60.
SLAM Process FC level for CYA 60 is 24.

That screenshot was the Taylor test kit app. I added today's testing to Pool Math.

Wow, so 6 gallons 3-4 times per day or do I base how much I add on the retested FC level each day? Thank you for the help!

 

[proavia]

You base the dose on the tested FC and what it takes to increase the FC back to SLAM level.
Try to do the testing/dosing at least 3 times daily.

And don't bother with the Taylor app - it doesn't take the FC/CYA relationship into account.
Just use PoolMath - and then we can all be on the same page.

 

[shelly7783]

You base the dose on the tested FC and what it takes to increase the FC back to SLAM level.
Try to do the testing/dosing at least 3 times daily.

Ok, that makes sense. Think I've got this down now.

Appreciate everyone's help!

 

[proavia]

How did you lose 20 ppm CYA in 3 days?

Did you drain/replace any pool water?

 

[shelly7783]

How did you lose 20 ppm CYA in 3 days?

Did you drain/replace any pool water?

I'm not sure No, we didn't replace any water. The only thing I did before starting SLAM was lower the pH per the instructions.

Do you think I should continue basing the amount of chlorine I add based of CYA of 60 from the first test? Or should I wait awhile for FC to fall back down below minimum and start the whole thing over?

 

[PoolStored]

What we don't understand is why CYA went from 50 to 40. I know the test is a bit subjective, but you might do it again.

Stand outside, sun at your back. Fill dot tube to first line. Hold the tube at your waist, and GLANCE at the tube. If the dot is obscured at that line, take that number and add 10 (round up). That is your CYA. If you can see the dot at a glance, then fill to the next line. Repeat until the dot is obscured, then round up 10.

No need to start over. Get a good CYA number, then use that to get your target FC.

 

[proavia]

I'm not sure No, we didn't replace any water. The only thing I did before starting SLAM was lower the pH per the instructions.

Do you think I should continue basing the amount of chlorine I add based of CYA of 60 from the first test? Or should I wait awhile for FC to fall back down below minimum and start the whole thing over?

It's all according to how confident you are in your CYA testing.
The recommemdation is to test CYA before starting the SLAM and stick with that number.

 

[proavia]

What we don't understand is why CYA went from 50 to 40. I know the test is a bit subjective, but you might do it again.

Stand outside, sun at your back. Fill dot tube to first line. Hold the tube at your waist, and GLANCE at the tube. If the dot is obscured at that line, take that number and add 10 (round up). That is your CYA. If you can see the dot at a glance, then fill to the next line. Repeat until the dot is obscured, then round up 10.

No need to start over. Get a good CYA number, then use that to get your target FC.

If CYA recorded was 53, it gets rounded to 60.
So CYA went from 60 to 40.
My guess is testing error - in either the first test or second test... or both. As we know, the CYA test is subjective.

I agree, the OP should redo the CYA test as you suggest.
And do the test the same way each and every time.