My first SLAM

[Michelle22]

Had some issues getting started this year and things got pretty green. The past few days I've been waking up to zero FC after dumping almost a gallon of bleach in each day. So, did a SLAM a bit ago and added 4 gallons. Anything else I should do/know to get this pool in balance?

 

[Newdude]

Hey CG !!! Have a read. SLAM is a controlled process.

SLAM Process

 

[Michelle22]

So I already added the 4 gallons of bleach according to the Pool Math app. You can see my logs for more info. Retested and it wants another 3 gallons. Could that even be right??

 

[Newdude]

If you are using 6% bleach then it's about right. 10% chlorinating liquid will get you 38 FC by comparison instead of 24.

 

[Newdude]

Test and add back to 24 FC every 2-3 to speed the process along. The M(aintain) part is critical to the process. You can add at a convenient time to buy yourself the next few hours off if an errand comes up.

 

[Michelle22]

So I need to get more bleach. This will be my last 3 gallons....so annoyed with myself for letting it get to this point.

 

[Newdude]

Walmart / HD / Lowes Have chlorinating liquid in the pool section that's 10% and more bang for the buck. Find date code on the bottle (22XXXXXXXX) The 22 is the year and the next 3 #s are the day it was produced. The 024th day, the 124th day, etc. Google Julian calander to line that up with how old it is. Although right now is about mid year so today's batch would be 22190XXXX or something close to that. You want 3 months old or newer. Many of the stores have old stock out because they don't know and don't care anyway.

 

[proavia]

Review the SLAM Process thoroughly.
You actually didn't SLAM. You dumped some chlorine in one time.

As noted above, the SLAM is a process. Follow it to the letter to get your pool back to crystal clear and sanitary.

 

[Michelle22]

Walmart / HD / Lowes Have chlorinating liquid in the pool section that's 10% and more bang for the buck. Find date code on the bottle (22XXXXXXXX) The 22 is the year and the next 3 #s are the day it was produced. The 024th day, the 124th day, etc. Google Julian calander to line that up with how old it is. Although right now is about mid year so today's batch would be 22190XXXX or something close to that. You want 3 months old or newer. Many of the stores have old stock out because they don't know and don't care anyway.

How many gallons should I get while I'm there? Do you think 8 will suffice for my process? (I know we can't be sure, but I don't want to run back out later if I don't have to.)

 

[Michelle22]

Review the SLAM Process thoroughly.
You actually didn't SLAM. You dumped some chlorine in one time.

As noted above, the SLAM is a process. Follow it to the letter to get your pool back to crystal clear and sanitary.

Wow, what a nice guy. I did what the app told me to do....

 

[Newdude]

10 is a good start for sure. If you are staying on top of it, you won't be adding 4 gallons every time and it will be 1/2 gals or whatevs.

 

[Michelle22]

I got 10 gallons and have added the first dose. Now it wants another 3 gallons.

 

[Newdude]

What was the FC to start ?
How long until the 2nd test/add ?
What was that FC when you tested ?

 

[Michelle22]

Just saw this post, but I've been testing and recording. I guess I didn't record the FC the first time and I don't recall what it was.

 

[Michelle22]

Looks like I didn't have any chlorine loss overnight. Hope I can get my CC down a bit more today. Once that happens I can call the SLAM a success if I'm understanding the process correctly. Correct?

 

[mknauss]

You are done when:​

• CC is 0.5 or lower;
• You pass an OCLT (ie overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less);
• And the water is clear.

When all three are true, you are done SLAMing and can allow the FC to drift down to normal levels.

Have you read SLAM Process?

 

[Michelle22]

That is why I stated "if I'm understanding the process correctly". The article states that if we have more questions to post here for HELP. I have read the thing about 5 times.

 

[Newdude]

Can we get some pics ? It helps us 'be there' with you.

 

[Michelle22]

Pics of the water? It's still a cloudy but there's an improvement from yesterday. I will keep testing today and adding as I need to. I just wanted confirmation that I'm on the right track with my testing logs. If you guys see anything whacko I would appreciate the heads up.

 

[Newdude]

Yup. Get some pics up when you have a moment. Intex filters are notoriously undersized and test the patience of anyone needing to clear a pool.

If the FC is holding, keep it up as a precaution as you do not want to quit too early and end up back at square one. Instead, enjoy that keeping the FC up is much easier now. It's just a matter of perspective.

Brush well and vac daily, preferable a couple of times. You want to keep all that crud stirred up in the water so the filter can get it, or vac anything out that fell to the floor. Watch the filter and clean it anytime the PSI raises 25% from the clean value.

You got this. It's just a matter of P-O-P (pool owner patience) and some elbow grease.