My test kit is here!

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Hello everyone! Wow there is a lot of information here!

Okay so I bailed out of the SLAM too early. At the moment I am simply adding a SLAM amount of chlorine once a day and leaving it at that.

There are a few things I would like to resolve before starting the new SLAM:
1) I am still waiting for my new pressure valve to arrive so I'd like to install that and backwash so I know what my normal pressure level is.
2) I'd like to block the holes in the ladder. I have tried squirting bleach in the holes but it's very hard to displace the existing water since all the holes are underwater.
3) I would also like to deep clean the filter but I have a whole lot of questions about that which I will post in the equipment forum area. I backwashed yesterday and afterwards some sand was released into the pool - not masses but a noticeable amount. Does this suggest that the laterals are damaged?
4) I want to increase my CYA as it was below 30 and I felt I was losing heaps of bleach to sunlight in the day (it's middle of summer here in Oz). I added some CYA in a sock in the skimmer yesterday. Just enough to raise it by 5.

So I'd like to get these things sorted over the next week and then re-test and have a go at slamming again.

How does that all sound?

I am using 12.5% bleach and I think the strength is good. Sometimes after an hour I'm at the right level or close to the right level based on the amount of bleach I added before.
 
Also I just noticed that in my filter instructions it says 'the filter tank must not be operated under vacuum. Should leaf baskets or suction lines become clogged, blocked or closed, filter damage not covered by guarantee may occur'.

I was under the impression that I could vacuum with the filter on the 'filter' setting. Should I be vacuuming using the 'waste' setting?
 
Wheelie- immediately after you have backwashed did you change the multi-port to the 'Rinse' cycle and run that for about 30 seconds or so-this is to prevent any leftover debris from the backwash getting back into your pool? If you haven't, this could be the cause of your problem with the sand blowing back into your pool as an initial first check.

I've always vacuumed my pool with the filter setting although I've never had a lot of debris to vacuum up- I would have thought that it would be more important to monitor the pressure gauge and ensure that baskets etc are clear. I have a different model Davey sand filter and I couldn't find the same thing written in my manual. If your filter is still under warranty then it could be wise to follow their instructions. Others might have other ideas?

Might also be worth testing for a current reading on your CYA.
 
Hi Jezza - Yes I did a rinse for 30 secs. There was a bit of sand in the spy glass too. Perhaps I should rinse for longer?

I watched a video today about Davey filters and the guys said you could vacuum with filter or waste so I'll ignore the instructions. The leaves can't get through the basket in the pump anyway can they?
 
Yes you could try rinsing for a little longer if you could still see sand and see if that works.

As long as your pump basket is properly fitted I don't see how leaves could get past both it and the skimmer basket. I think they mean that if you let the baskets get clogged with debris so that it increases the pressure on your equipment, rather than cleaning them out.
 
Wheelie said:
Hello everyone! Wow there is a lot of information here!

...

2) I'd like to block the holes in the ladder. I have tried squirting bleach in the holes but it's very hard to displace the existing water since all the holes are underwater.

...
Click to expand...

If you do be sure to use 316 or marine grade stainless. 304 will rust. There are specialist stainless suppliers, fastener suppliers should also carry a good range of 316, Whitworths is worth a look for a few bolts and nuts too. You can get 'domed' head bolts and nuts that would give a better look and minimise any sharp edges.

Steve
 

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Wheelie said:
If I cover up the holes in the ladder without putting bleach inside the legs first will the algae die-off?
Click to expand...

I say yes, again, algae is light dependant and stainless steel is an anti microbial. I'm not saying it won't grow around the holes, but it will be limited and non existent away from the holes. Any algal growth would be limited to areas near the holes. Due to this there was enough doubt in my mind to assume there was no big green chlorine eating monster lurking in there. Blocking the holes will limit growth to near zero. Blocking the holes will also limit the diffusion of nutrients where phosphate is the limiting nutrient as the cyano's can fix their own nitrate.

Just a thought, what are the holes for, a missing step or maybe drainage or pressure relief?

You mentioned earlier about palm seeds or flowers. I have golden palms - hate them. The flowering season is almost over but I cut of the flower buds off before they develop and prevent all that stuff from getting in the pool from the start. Make sure your pool is clean and kept clean of all that stuff during your slam.
 
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Hmmm, in an interesting turn of events I decided to test the pool last night. FC was at 3 so rather than add more chlorine I decided to retest this morning and it's sitting at 2.... and CC is 0.5. And this is between 7pm and 11 am.

Which would suggest the pool may no longer need to be SLAMmed?

Not quite sure why since I've done nothing except chuck in about 2000ml of chlorine every evening. It has been colder here this past week - maybe that helps.

Anyway here are the current results:

FC = 2
CC = 0.5
pH = 7.5
alkalinity = 110
CYU - not sure. Seems to be still below 30 but I only added the CYU this week so may not be completely dissolved. The spot disappeared from directly below me but I could still see it split into two at the sides - does this count as disappeared?

I'm going to re-test the FC tonight and bring it up to 4 or so. Then check again in the morning. If the drop is minimal then I guess I can assume that the pool is good? And the next step is to lower TA and get the CYU up to about 40 - right?

- - - Updated - - -

AUSpool said:
Just a thought, what are the holes for, a missing step or maybe drainage or pressure relief?

You mentioned earlier about palm seeds or flowers. I have golden palms - hate them. The flowering season is almost over but I cut of the flower buds off before they develop and prevent all that stuff from getting in the pool from the start. Make sure your pool is clean and kept clean of all that stuff during your slam.
Click to expand...

Yes the holes are for a step that must have been removed at some stage.

Next year we will cut those flower buds off early I think.
 
I agree with Marion- take your FC up to 10 for OCLT and I would probably do it at least 2 nights in a row for confirmation.

For the CYA test- the dot should completely disappear. Are you doing it at waist height, with your sun to the back?
 
Wheelie, I would not presume that. I would get the FC to at least 10 as MP suggests, and run another OCLT. Run it another night if you like, but at least once stood that FC level. What you've experienced from the start of this is typical, and I'm afraid you got side tracked way too early with the supposed ladder issue. I still don't think it was the cause of a 7.0 PPM Loss of FC, but let's raise it, and see how you do after a couple of night afterward to find out what happens.
 
I'd take it back to 10 especially once the sun goes down. You really need to retest after your final addition of chlorine so you can get an accurate reading before going to bed. Your loss between that reading and your reading just before sunrise ideally or at least before the sun hits the pool will give you a good OCLT reading. Allow at least 1/2 an hour after additions with pump running before taking your reading.
 
10 would be ideal but it's a bet retrospective now. If you've tried to bring up the FC to 10 and waited for enough dissipation time it's probably to late for a complete over night time line anyway. I would've used your 7.5 reading as a starting point for an OCTL tonight. It seems you've under estermated the volume of chlorine to achieve your 10ppm so do it again tommorrow but increase your chlorine dose by 20-25% and do it again tommorrow night.
 

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