Need a little help from the Pro's on a Saltwater Pool...

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RelaxIN said:
Just a quick status update:
1. The SLAM process has started. He has the pump running at 3000 RMP's (24x7 until he meets the SLAM criteria)
2. About 8pm, he added the recommended amount of chlorine to get the FC up to 28ppm. Of course we had some bad weather with high winds and rain come thru last night, so I'm sure that will impact the readings. We are supposed to get another round of storms later today (night) as well.
3. I'm going to have him take a FC & CYA reading later this morning to see where the levels are at and make the necessary adjustments if needed.
4. My plan is to have him take a reading twice a day, in the early AM and around 7 PM. I think that should be sufficient enough time
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You don't need to run the pump on high.
Twice a day to check and replace FC is not going to get it done in the summer, he should be checking and replacing FC every 2-3 hours.
 
Hey guys, just a quick update on the status of the pool and the SLAM process.

First, thanks again for all of your help and valuable input. The pool looks absolutely amazing, the water is crystal clear, no cloudiness or signs of algae. The vinyl walls of the pool feels nice as well. The CC level is under the 0.5 and the overnight chlorine loss test is less than 1.0 ppm. We tested the overnight loss test for the past 2 days, so I think we are good-to-go.

I spoke to my neighbor and he is onboard with running the VS pump at the lower RPM (1800 rpm) 24x7 and the SWG at 24x7 as well. That said, since his SWG is a Pentair IC40, he is not able to run it at the 30% as suggested by PoolStored. The IC40 only allows for 20 or 40% at the lower settings, so he is going to run the SWG at 40% 24x7 to see where the FC numbers come in at. The question that I have is, since he is coming OFF of the SLAM process, for his size pool 28,000, vinyl liner with a SWG at 40%, how long do you think it would take for the numbers to adjust and get back to true numbers (normal). Is it hours, days, etc..? and what is considered "normal" numbers. Before you ask, yes, I have referenced the "ideal pool levels" for a SWG in the Pool School reference sections, however, I'm not sure when they were posted, and, if any variables have to be considered when coming off of the SLAM process.

Thanks again guys..!
 
PooStored, thank you for your response and all of your help throughout this process. That said, I just want to be clear on something that you mentioned. You mentioned that it may take a day or two for the FC to come down into "range". If I'm understanding the process correctly, the "FC Range" that you mentioned, is the Target FC range based on a SWG system using the CYA level at that time of the reading using the (TFP Recommended Free Chlorine Level Chart as a reference)... Is that correct...?

Example... After one to two days from now and levels have had a chance to adjust, my CYA reading is at 80 ppm, then my Target FC reading should be within 6-11 ppm. Am I understanding that correctly...? That said, if my FC readings are higher or lower, then I should have him adjust the %percentage up or down accordingly on the SWG.
 
And once you see how WELL running hot does, well don't go fixin what ain't broke.

My 1st week with my original pool it ran hot because I had no clue what I was doing. But I had the clearest pool in the region. Cue up the next several years of the pool store cringing everytime I got tested. I'd look at them, and their advice which kept all my friends on the verge of a swamp all season, and go home and pet my SWG for being a good boy making 'enough FC for today'.
 
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Oh, I completely understand... My biggest concern was running it too hot and bleaching out the newly installed liner that he just had installed this season. While I was familiar with the basics of a liquid chlorine pool with a super pump, I was not 100% confident about a pool running a VS pump with an SWG, hence my questions during this process. In some cases, you can assume, and in other cases, you have to acknowledge your limitations and ask the Pro's..! As usual, everyone on this forum is very informative and professional, and I hope this post, and all of the information that was provided and the corrective actions that were taken help others better understand the process, and make their pool experience a little more enjoyable.
 
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Hey guys, I have one question that still not 100% clear to me regarding the SLAM process. I just re-read the SLAM process again just to make sure that I wasn't overlooking anything, however, I just have a question that I want to confirm. My question and understanding is..

1. Before the SLAM process, take your chemical readings, which we did
2. Based on your CYA level at the time of the reading, I am suppose to adjust and maintain a FC level, and test and adjust the FC as needed every 2 to 3 hours, which we did to maintain the 28ppm.
2a. At the time of the reading his CYA was 70ppm, which told me that his SLAM FC level should be 28ppm based on the chart
3. Since the initial CYA reading we have been maintaining a FC level of 28 as required throughout the entire process. We ONLY focused on maintaining the FC reading, we did NOT take a CYA reading on a daily basis. So my question is... is that the correct process, or should we have taken CYA readings daily as well, and adjusted the FC levels according to those results on a daily basis....?

The reason I'm asking this question is because at 7:pm last night the FC was 28ppm, and at 7:am this morning the FC was at 26ppm. I had him run a FULL Test this morning and the CYA value was 90ppm. A CYA value of 90 would require an FC SLAM value of 35ppm, however we have been sticking to the initial CYA value reading of 70ppm and an FC of 28ppm as discussed earlier.

That is the only thing that makes sense to me as to why the FC value dropped. As I mentioned, the water is crystal clear, no algae, no cloudiness, looks perfect... I'm just trying to consistently get past the overnight drop test.

Thoughts..?
 

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Do the test at #8 here, we need an accurate CYA test result...if your CYA is above about 60, we need to replace water...

How was this pool chlorinated this year?

FC will hold for an OCLT, independent of CYA level, if you have no algae...even if you can't see it...

www.troublefreepool.com

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
PoolStored said:
Do the test at #8 here, we need an accurate CYA test result...if your CYA is above about 60, we need to replace water...

How was this pool chlorinated this year?

FC will hold for an OCLT, independent of CYA level, if you have no algae...even if you can't see it...

www.troublefreepool.com

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...

See my comments below in RED...

Do the test at #8 here, we need an accurate CYA test result...if your CYA is above about 60, we need to replace water... I will take a look at the link and get back with the results.

How was this pool chlorinated this year? - The pool had a new liner installed in April of this year. New water was added via hoses (not tanker). Salt was added by the pool owner at the direction of the pool company who installed the liner. The pool was chlorinated by the SWG up until the SLAM process was started.

FC will hold for an OCLT, independent of CYA level, if you have no algae...even if you can't see it. If I understand you correctly, then a drop of 2 ppm of FC is indicating there is still a minor issue and the SLAM process should continue..?. Back to my original question regarding the FC values, was I correct in maintaining the original FC number of 28 throughout the process based on the original CYA number... or, should we have tested the CYA on a daily basis and adjusted the FC values based off of those numbers..? That's what I'm confused about.

Thank you again..
 
RelaxIN said:
If I understand you correctly, then a drop of 2 ppm of FC is indicating there is still a minor issue and the SLAM process should continue..?
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Yes. It means there are algae/organics that are consuming FC.
RelaxIN said:
Back to my original question regarding the FC values, was I correct in maintaining the original FC number of 28 throughout the process based on the original CYA number... or, should we have tested the CYA on a daily basis and adjusted the FC values based off of those numbers..? That's what I'm confused about.
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You can do either. It is not typical that CYA changes over the course of the SLAM. It is important, however, to have an accurate CYA test result to slam successfully.

Mix the CYA mixture, fill to the first line. Stand outdoors, sun to your back, hold the test tube with your finger and thumb at the top, hold it at your waist in the shadow of your body. GLANCE at the tube. If the dot is obscured (see pic), you are done. Take the number on that line and add 10. If not, fill to the next line and repeat. When the dot is obscured at any particular line, take that number and add 10. This applies to the regular or diluted test. Take the diluted test number on the line, add 10, then multiply by 2.

1721835561973.png
 
PoolStored said:
Yes. It means there are algae/organics that are consuming FC.

You can do either. It is not typical that CYA changes over the course of the SLAM. It is important, however, to have an accurate CYA test result to slam successfully.

Mix the CYA mixture, fill to the first line. Stand outdoors, sun to your back, hold the test tube with your finger and thumb at the top, hold it at your waist in the shadow of your body. GLANCE at the tube. If the dot is obscured (see pic), you are done. Take the number on that line and add 10. If not, fill to the next line and repeat. When the dot is obscured at any particular line, take that number and add 10. This applies to the regular or diluted test. Take the diluted test number on the line, add 10, then multiply by 2.

View attachment 599117
Click to expand...
Yes. It means there are algae/organics that are consuming FC. Then we will continue the SLAM process and maintain the original 28ppm of FC.

You can do either. It is not typical that CYA changes over the course of the SLAM. It is important, however, to have an accurate CYA test result to slam successfully. Understood, I will have him review the CYA testing process that you provided, and have him perform the CYA test. At this time, its raining pretty good at our location, so once that concludes, I will have him perform the test

Mix the CYA mixture, fill to the first line. Stand outdoors, sun to your back, hold the test tube with your finger and thumb at the top, hold it at your waist in the shadow of your body. GLANCE at the tube. If the dot is obscured (see pic), you are done. Take the number on that line and add 10. If not, fill to the next line and repeat. When the dot is obscured at any particular line, take that number and add 10. This applies to the regular or diluted test. Take the diluted test number on the line, add 10, then multiply by 2. I will post the CYA results once we have that opportunity
 
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Hey guys... I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the progression. I also have some concerns about some of the numbers, now that its been a few days since we stopped the SLAM process and went back on the SWG.

So in summary, on Friday, 7/26 we concluded the SLAM process on my neighbors pool. He was getting 0.5 ppm drop on the overnight chlorine loss test.

As of Friday morning, I had him do the following:
1. Leave the VS Pump set to 2000 RPM's 7x24
2. Turn the IC-40 SWG back on at 40% 7x24. NO liquid chlorine was added
3. Disassemble and clean the filter
4. The condition of the pool looks great.. extremely clear, no algae, no cloudiness
5. Reading are below...

Where I'm confused is the numbers that he is reading even after two days. We've had no rain, and maybe one or two people in the pool. PoolStored... I know that you said it would take a few days to adjust, but I would have expected the numbers to go down in some cases. Is this just a matter of more time to adjust, or do you think he needs to make an adjustment..?

Just want to get your thoughts..

07_29__pool reading.png
 
PoolStored said:
With a CYA of 100, I'm not surprised. It will come down, may take a while...
Click to expand...
Do you think he should make any adjustments to anything like maybe lowering the SWG to 20% instead of 40%, or just give it a few more days and retest towards the end of the week...?. I guess what is confusing me is... The ONLY thing that has changed is, stopping the liquid chlorine, cleaning the filter and putting the SWG back-on at 40%, 24x7. I'm not sure why that would have elevated the CYA and Salt that much... Again, I'm just asking for my own edification.
 

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