Long SLAM process

[Envieddesigns]

Good evening all,
I’ve been slamming since April 15th now on my 25th gallon of Liquid Chlorine.
Water is clear but I’m not past my overnight FC test and my CC remains at 1.
When I started on Apr 15th the water was murky it had already turned on me prior to start up though she cleared up in 3 days there was a lot of dirt on the floor which I eventually vacuumed up.
I’ve been adding DE to my filter after every backwash. Brushing everyday and trying to vacuum everyday.
I vacuumed this evening while Turing the pool light on the stream of light was very clear there was very little trace of particles showing in the beam of light, I was pretty excited. I started vacuuming the shallow end and I kept an eye on the beam, it was still clear until I started cleaning in the deep end then I started to see all these particles in the beam of light. Assuming this is dead algae now that I’m battling and needing to get out? It’s tough for me to vacuum everyday. If I get an automatic robot to throw in there and run it daily do those work? I was always on the fence about getting one besides their price point I always like setting up the good old hose to vacuum break a sweat get a little tan and jump in

 

[Texas Splash]

If what you are seeing is just dead algae, you should pass the OCLT, so if your FC testing is accurate, something is still growing in there to consume chlorine Let's recap some of the more popular hiding places:
- Behind the light in a niche (if available)
- Step handrails in the water
- Under main drain covers
- Inside the skimmer/behind the weir flap
- Water feature hiding places

 

[Newdude]

it was still clear until I started cleaning in the deep end then I started to see all these particles in the beam of light. Assuming this is dead algae now that I’m battling and needing to get out?

It could also very well be pollen or other spring type crud. This time of year can be tricky because you'll have both but not know which is which.

You're losing FC overnight though, so go on a full blown algae treasure hunt as Pat suggested above. Every inch is suspect until proven otherwise.

 

[Envieddesigns]

If what you are seeing is just dead algae, you should pass the OCLT, so if your FC testing is accurate, something is still growing in there to consume chlorine Let's recap some of the more popular hiding places:
- Behind the light in a niche (if available)
- Step handrails in the water
- Under main drain covers
- Inside the skimmer/behind the weir flap
- Water feature hiding places

I haven’t put my steps in as yet. Interesting regarding the main drains, I’ve never checked/removed the caps on my main drains before, I guess the shallow side wouldn’t be to hard to remove but I wouldn’t be able to do the deep end.
I’ll run a check on the other areas.
I mean we’ve had several cloudy days an tons of rain last week, couldn’t catch a break last week Saturday alone I had to drain water to waste out 3 times in one day we got soaked.
I guess she’s still picking up whatever it is that’s still in the water since I’ve been backwashing every 3 days or so.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Do I have to re-adjust PH at all while I’m still slamming for my 3rd week now or let it ride until I’m done? I brought it down to 7.5 prior to starting.

 

[PoolStored]

Do I have to re-adjust PH at all while I’m still slamming for my 3rd week now or let it ride until I’m done? I brought it down to 7.5 prior to starting.

Leave it alone until you are done. FC only testing until you pass OCLT, then do CC on that sample.

 

[Envieddesigns]

So my Cc I don’t test until my final OCLT? I’ve been checking it every other day or so while slamming.

 

[Newdude]

So my Cc I don’t test until my final OCLT? I’ve been checking it every other day or so while slamming.

It really doesn't matter in the SLAM until you need it to pass an OCLT. Feel free to test it for fun or curiosity, but failing any of the 3 exit criteria means the SLAM continues. Not holding FC overnight fails the exit criteria before you even get the chance to test for CCs.

 

[Envieddesigns]

So upon backwashing this evening and then Rinsing until the eyeglass was clear when I put it back to filter a turned it on I saw dirt shooting back into the pool. Cloudy stuff. What could that be? Here’s a photo you can see the cloud in front of the light. I’m assuming this is why I’m not getting anywhere with my SLAM.

 

[Newdude]

I’m assuming this is why I’m not getting anywhere with my SLAM

It's likely sand from a broken/dislodged standpipe inside the filter. It might explain some cloudiness but it doesn't explain overnight FC loss.

Did we discuss doing a deep clean of the filter ? Was it done ? It looks like a great time to get in there and see whats going on.

 

[Envieddesigns]

It's likely sand from a broken/dislodged standpipe inside the filter. It might explain some cloudiness but it doesn't explain overnight FC loss.

Did we discuss doing a deep clean of the filter ? Was it done ? It looks like a great time to get in there and see whats going on.

My last deep clean I did last year. It does seem like shiny particles almost like glass maybe it is sand I don’t know. I did replace my multi port valve on the filter this year with a brand new one. How would I know the stand pipe is messed up I would have to remove all of the sand in order to see it?

 

[Newdude]

How would I know the stand pipe is messed up I would have to remove all of the sand in order to see it?

Yeah. Only one way to visually inspect the guts. But on the plus side, you'd get a fresh start on the filter which can only help end all this.

Maybe there's some algae in there defying all the odds.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Yeah. Only one way to visually inspect the guts. But on the plus side, you'd get a fresh start on the filter which can only help end all this.

Maybe there's some algae in there defying all the odds.

I won’t be able to get to that until my off day, Saturday. Do I continue with the slam process and do I reuse the sand or throw out and replace with new sand?

 

[Newdude]

Do I continue with the slam process

Most certainly. If you slack an inch you could lose a mile. Algae grows exponentially. The last couple of growth cycles are the difference between a clear water SLAM like you have now, and a swamp.

do I reuse the sand or throw out and replace with new sand

If it resembles sand, even if it's filthy sand, it will clean up good as new. If it's all gummed and clumped up like a cat liter box, it's time to replace. But you would have seen that last time, and haven't used any pool store potions to gum it up since, hopefully.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Most certainly. If you slack an inch you could lose a mile. Algae grows exponentially. The last couple of growth cycles are the difference between a clear water SLAM like you have now, and a swamp.

If it resembles sand, even if it's filthy sand, it will clean up good as new. If it's all gummed and clumped up like a cat liter box, it's time to replace. But you would have seen that last time, and haven't used any pool store potions to gum it up since, hopefully.

What about adding DE should I even continue doing that until then as well?
I put my iPhone with the flashlight on in the water next to both returns it doesn’t look like stuff is coming out from there. Instead whats passing in front of the pool light seems like particles that are already in the water. I’m going to look at it tomorrow in the daylight and see if I see that cloudiness shooting back in.

 

[Newdude]

What about adding DE should I even continue doing that until then as well

I'd skip the DE for now. You'll have to backwash again and possibly spew more stuffs back into the pool.

 

[Envieddesigns]

I'd skip the DE for now. You'll have to backwash again and possibly spew more stuffs back into the pool.

Also how do I know where my sand level should be in the filter?

 

[Newdude]

Also how do I know where my sand level should be in the filter?

The standard rec is 'about 2/3s'. You can try downloading the manual for more info.

 

[Envieddesigns]

If I turn the pump off and put it in recirculate setting which will by pass the filter then turn it on again and I still see that cloudiness would that rule out an issue with the internals of the filter and it just being actual particles already in the water that the returns are blowing in front of the light?

 

[Newdude]

Yes. What's in the water is obviously in the water already. And this time of year we are all going to have pollen and whatnot blowing in to confuse things further.

But the way it stirred up when changing mpv settings was really suspect. Some floaties floating around is one thing. Anything settled on the floor should have stayed there.