How to fix my Slam?

[Nadarswim]

Brand new pool owner and learning as I go. (21 ft, aboveground, around 11,000 gallons) thought I was off to a decent start with slam as I got my pool from green to blue. On day 3 of slam and my pool is still cloudy. Day one I started with packs of cal hypo (dumb I know) by the evening and all of day 2 I switched to liquid chlorine, and pump running all day throughout. Cloudiness does not seem to have improved at all. Here are my numbers from last night(k-2006 kit):
Started Slam with 30 CYA
9 FC ( added chlorine after this/before bed woke up to FC of 11 today)
1 CC (1.5 CC this morning)
TA 140
CH 210
I know Ph shouldn’t be tested as it’s not accurate during SLAM but I did anyways and it was very purple so not sure if it was like 10 ? Did the cal hypo do this? Do I add acid to try to bring PH down? How do I get back on track and clear the cloudiness?

 

[bobloblaw42]

Did you test pH last night with FC of 9? If so, that should have been a valid test. SLAM process instructions recommend getting CYA to 30 (which you indicated you did) and pH to around 7.2 before starting. Did you adjust pH before starting?

It looks like your CC is increasing which means the chlorine is doing work. However, neither of your tests show FC at SLAM level. SLAM level for 30 CYA is 12. You can either add more chlorine to get FC up to 12 or you can let it fall to 10, re-test pH and then add muriatic acid to reduce pH if you're above 8 on a valid pH test.

I'd recommend adding the chlorine since you have a vinyl pool and can handle a few more days with high pH. At 30 CYA, your SLAM level chlorine will still be effective.

Lastly, I see you have a cartridge filter which should be able to capture dead algae. Are you brushing/ vacuuming (even if you can't see bottom) daily? Is your return jet pointed up for surface skimming or more downward for improved circulation? I personally prefer downward at 45 degrees but I don't have a lot of crud that falls in and needs skimming.

 

[Nadarswim]

Yes, I did get my PH to 7.2 when I started. I have not cleaned the filter but have been keeping an eye on the pressure. Maybe I’ll do that today. I am also brushing, vacuuming, and scooping up debris daily.

 

[bobloblaw42]

I'd recommend ignoring pH for the rest of the SLAM and just try to test and top off FC to 12 to at least 3-4 times a day.