Need Help

[Richard320]

So I’m getting a sump pump tomorrow and getting the water out! I’m planning on putting the sump pump inside a bucket in the pool’s shallow end, that way I won’t drain it completely and prevent the liner from coming up, correct?

Good idea. A bucket is a good safeguard if you end up distracted somehow.

So after you remove half the water and refill it, get it circulating for half an hour or so with some brushing (so it mixes) then test it again. Unless TA ends up below 50, you only care about it for the pH adjustment calculation. CH can wait - you want to know what it is at some point but not necessarily do anything with it. CYA you're interested in. pH of course. FC, don't bother. Save reagents. Call it zero. There won't be much in the tap water.

Then follow the SLAM Process instructions. Adjust pH and then hit it with bleach every couple hours. And before I forget -- use a 10 ml sample for FC and use only one scoop of powder. Each drop is then .5 FC. It's precise enough and it conserves reagents.

If there are any questions about the chemistry, post here about it. Someone will be along.

Once the pool is clear and you've passed all 3 tests, we can discuss the final rebalancing.

 

[Mdragger88]

Test Cya & ph
Lower ph to 7.2
Add enough liquid chlorine to reach Slam level for corresponding cya level
Its all here:

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jbra22]

Thanks! Just read the SLAM document from the Pool School and downloaded the app. I will test water after refilled and make sure that TA doesn’t fall below 50, lower ph to 7.2 and depending of CYA add liquid chlorine or bleach for SLAM level. Is this bleach ok? Not sure since it says germicidal ....

 

[IceShadow]

Clorox isn’t recommenced because of additives they use. You can usually get 10-12.5% liquid chlorine (sometimes called liquid shock) at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe’s, pool stores, etc. I recommend finding and using that instead.

Be sure you understand that a SLAM is a process. You test frequently and maintain that FC level with each test. It’s not a dump-and-pray sort of thing.

 

[Jbra22]

Clorox isn’t recommenced because of additives they use. You can usually get 10-12.5% liquid chlorine (sometimes called liquid shock) at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe’s, pool stores, etc. I recommend finding and using that instead.

Be sure you understand that a SLAM is a process. You test frequently and maintain that FC level with each test. It’s not a dump-and-pray sort of thing.

Got it, getting liquid chlorine and planning to SLAM pool 3 times a day. I will follow the instructions from the pool school.
This is a good stuff, looking forward to the results of the hard work
Thanks,

 

[Richard320]

Thanks! Just read the SLAM document from the Pool School and downloaded the app. I will test water after refilled and make sure that TA doesn’t fall below 50, lower ph to 7.2 and depending of CYA add liquid chlorine or bleach for SLAM level. Is this bleach ok? Not sure since it says germicidal ....

That stuff should be okay. The laundry bleach with the fabric protector additives is a no-no. Read the whole bottle carefully. Anything at all that says scented or splashless or fabric, save it for laundry. It'll foam up bad and mess with things. But if you have that already and it is free of any enhancements, it's okay to use. But the stuff sold for pools is usually stronger and cheaper.

 

[RMcGirr83]

Liquid Chlorine at
Home Depot - Sold as "HDX"
Walmart - Sold as "Pool Essentials"
Lowe’s - Sold as "Kemtech"

They each have 10% chlorine but you should check the dates on jugs to make sure it isn't too old as it will be less effective. The dates will be something like, if not very apparent, "19205" which means the 205th day of 2019 which is pretty old. You want, at the minimum, "20xxx". Higher the xxx the better.

 

[mack81]

New forum member here, I just did the same thing you're doing, see my thread here: OK, I guess we're doing this....what's next
It helped me to read others experience but I'm through it now and it worked great.

My CYA was over 120, I drained the pool down to 1 ft in the shallow end and refilled 3 times, which got it to 40 then I followed the steps on the SLAM page - everything worked a treat - pool is now ready, I just need some warmer weather!

Good luck!

 

[GMTK]

Stick with it and listen to the pros here. We had to drain 80% of our pool due to our CYA being off the charts. We then did the SLAM and it took almost two weeks but my numbers are starting to get back to normal (pre-draining the pool).

 

[Jbra22]

Thanks, i'm on the process of draining the pool now and refilling after. Will test water and check cya at that point and most likely repeat the process until i get the cya to normal levels

 

[Jbra22]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the help!!
I drained the 50% of the pool, refilled and let it run for couple of hours before testing. I got:
CYA=40
PH=7.2
TA=60
I just brushed, vacuumed, cleaned and backwashed the pool before the first liquid chlorine addition that o got from the pool math. Things are looking up!!?

 

[Mdragger88]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the help!!
I drained the 50% of the pool, refilled and let it run for couple of hours before testing. I got:
CYA=40
PH=7.2
TA=60
I just brushed, vacuumed, cleaned and backwashed the pool before the first liquid chlorine addition that o got from the pool math. Things are looking up!!?

???SLAM on!

 

[Jbra22]

Hi All,

Thanks so much for all the help, the pool looks awesome, passed the 3 SLAM tests test so I'm officially done slamming. At this point I'm waiting for the FC level to go down to 5 which is where i need to have it and will go from there. The liner seems to be a bit stained but will deal with it at another time.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Great to hear. How are you going to chlorinate going forward?

Your signature says a chlorinator. If that is the case, just make sure you are regularly testing, adjusting your FC levels if your CYA goes up, and managing high CYA through draining.

 

[Mdragger88]

Hi All,

Thanks so much for all the help, the pool looks awesome, passed the 3 SLAM tests test so I'm officially done slamming. At this point I'm waiting for the FC level to go down to 5 which is where i need to have it and will go from there. The liner seems to be a bit stained but will deal with it at another time.

target is 5-7 so I would aim for 7 with 5 being the lowest you let it get before you add liq chlorine- it keeps u safe & provides a buffer to prevent you ever going to minimum.

 

[Mdragger88]

Here’s some more reading for u?How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jbra22]

Thanks all!! I will get rid of the chlorinator and just stay with liquid chlorine for now. Will keep FC at 7
Thanks again