In SLAM process

[Lilypad]

Absolutely you can add MA directly into the pool. Just don't add chlorine or other chems at the same time. Give them time to mix with the pool water (pump on). I float the jug. Weighs less and easier to control. The lip of the bottle is about two inches from the water and easy to pour. Cap on and rinse and done. Stay upwind, eye protection and gloves recommended. I add my LC same way too. My clothes have thanked me!

 

[Kellyp]

Absolutely you can add MA directly into the pool. Just don't add chlorine or other chems at the same time. Give them time to mix with the pool water (pump on). I float the jug. Weighs less and easier to control. The lip of the bottle is about two inches from the water and easy to pour. Cap on and rinse and done. Stay upwind, eye protection and gloves recommended. I add my LC same way too. My clothes have thanked me!

Exactly what lillypad said! I ?

 

[Flying Tivo]

@Tracey R you will need an aeration device to help you bring down TA a little faster if you wish, it also helps in cooling down the water. Do a search and review Lower Total Alkalinity - Trouble Free Pool

 

[Tracey R]

@Flying Tivo i see in your link a SWG lowers TA. I plan on getting one in the next 2 weeks. Can I install it with my #s out of wack?

 

[Flying Tivo]

A SWG does not lower TA, it creates aeration which will drive up Ph. Then by adding MA to lower PH it brings down TA with it. Then you aerate more so PH rises faster, then you add MA again to drop PH/TA. Rinse and Repeat until your arrive at a TA that will leave the PH stable around 7.5-7.8. That is the idea. Myself i would aim for a lower PH when adding MA, like 7-7.2. and when it rises to 7.6 then drop again. This aiming point is just for the process of lowering TA.

 

[Tracey R]

Guys & gals!
I’m so thrilled! Here’s my pool today. I’m keeping my FC between 4-7 & usually aim for 8 by adding only 1 gallon each day (mostly). SOOO much better than 5-10 gallons daily. ?

My SWG should arrive tomorrow & will be installed Labor Day weekend.
Any advice? I’ll be researching a lot this week to be ready for the install.

 

[kimkats]

That is some TFP pretty water right there!!! SWEET!

SWG-throw the kids and people in the water before you add the water. We call salt day Diamond day! It is so pretty to watch the salt coming down through the water! They also help mix the salt in to the water.

Use liquid chlorine to get your FC up THEN allow the SWG to maintain it. You will be doing some extra testing of the FC while you learn your pool's and SWG needs. Make sure you have plenty of regents for this. Always have liquid chlorine on hand of "accidents" and such in the pool.

Kim

 

[DuaeGuttae]

Beautiful water, Tracey. Good for you learning how to do it and following through!

Do you already own the Taylor salt testing kit to know how much salt is in your water? It might be higher than you think after that long slam.

We use solar naturals water softener salt from Home Depot in our pool (the blue bag). It’s cheaper than pool salt. It dissolves quickly, but it can take a day or so for the salt to be distributed throughout the whole water column. You don’t want to power on the salt cell till it’s thoroughly mixed, so go ahead and get it done this week, so you’ll be ready to go when you’re install is done.

I can’t remember all the advice you’ve gotten already, so I’ll mention this just to be on the safe side. You do know to wire the SWCG so that it can’t be powered without your pump running. I’m not at all capable of telling you how to do that (ours is powered separately, but we use a timer), but I just wanted to mention it so you could ask questions of others if necessary.

 

[Tracey R]

Thanks!!
I don’t have the salt water test kit. I didn’t even think of needing another test kit ??‍
Guess I’ll purchase that today. I am going to put the pump & SWG on a timer so that s/b no issue.
Thanks for the tip on salt & prep! I’ll get that in the next couple days. Will the salt interfere with the FC. or PH testing this week?

 

[Flying Tivo]

No interference at all. Keep doing things normally just add the salt test. Make sure you test before adding salt.

 

[Tracey R]

I’m soo confused. My FC has been fluctuating for the last couple days. It’s gone down AND UP. I’ve not put in LC since 3 days ago. Why/how would this be happening? I put 3 tricolor tabs in the floater over the weekend and they’re all but gone.
I put 120lbs of salt in it prepping for Sunday (when SWG install will happen). I had 2400 ppm & needed 3500. Pool math said add 4 bags so I undershot thinking I’d put in more LC.

What am I missing in this puzzle?

 

[Tracey R]

My CYA will also need to be increased. Tested today and I was at 35. However, I plan on increasing that tomorrow afternoon so that I can continue with a lesser LC amount.

 

[frogabog]

I put 3 tricolor tabs in the floater over the weekend and they’re all but gone.

Trichlor tablets are still chlorine. So while you haven't put in LC, you're still adding chlorine with the tablets.

Floaters with tabs aren't super consistent with FC. It depends on the water flowing through the floater, the number of tabs inside (surface area), whether or not the pump is on moving the water more, etc. Floating tablets basically gives you an average rather than a specific FC number.

 

[Tracey R]

So maybe if the floater happened to be near by when I got the water to test that could be the variance?

 

[frogabog]

I don't think it can be qualified. You're going to see a range of FC with floaters. It's not a precise delivery method. As long as you are closer to mid to target than near or below minimum for your CYA, you're good.

Do use Pool Math to calculate how much each tablet adds in both FC and CYA. That's what you can rely on for the entire life of one tablet in the water. Tablets are 8oz (weight) of Trichlor.

 

[Flying Tivo]

My CYA will also need to be increased. Tested today and I was at 35. However, I plan on increasing that tomorrow afternoon so that I can continue with a lesser LC amount.

If you use LC you need to follow the Non-SWG FC/CYA Levels. Just because you increase CYA to 70 does not mean its a SWG pool. CYA of 70 is fine for now as probably the worst UV index of summer is behind, probably for next summer you will need 80 as i do.

 

[Tracey R]

What I meant was I will need to increase the CYA before I turn on the SWG.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Tracy how is your pool doing?

 

[Tracey R]

Tracy how is your pool doing?

I just took the cover off this evening. It has a bit of green on the bottom but I increased the run time to 24/7 and the SWG to 50%. I brushed the bottom to swirl up the yuck and will test it tomorrow morning. Tonight and tomorrow we are scheduled to get lots of rain so I expect I'll have to add salt also. Tonight the SWG showed 3300 ish.

Good to be back on here! I have a few bottles of LC from last summer and hope with the increased % and those few I won't have to SLAM too long.

I really don't want to add a "5th job" to my day. 2 teacher jobs (pre-K & 4th grader), my actual job, mom, & pool cabana lady.

How are y'all doing?

 

[mknauss]

Doing well! Welcome back.
Been pretty active on the forum with many folks home and itching to open their pool!