New pool owner - drain/fill in progress

[Viperscorpio]

Since my CH and CYA we're through the roof, I went ahead with draining yesterday afternoon, and started my fill last night. I expect it to finish the fill in the next 6 hours (roughly).

So, while I wait for my pool to fill, I figured I should plan my steps out once it's done filling.

I have liquid chlorine, cya (liquid; instant pool water conditioner), and muriatic acid on hand.

I keep seeing references to SLAMing, and that it's a process, not a product, etc, but not any specific steps for that process. Do I need to slam after fill? My pool didn't have any issues that I detected but other than water clarity/algae, I don't know what I'm looking for. The pool does not have any algae or cloudiness issues. I don't know what else to look for.

I imagine the first step after fill is to add cya to the desired level, and then chlorinate, but haven't been able to find any specific drain/fill steps to take in the pool school.

Thanks!

Note - I do plan to use poolmath to determine the right quantities of things to add. Just want some clarification on order of operations

 

[mknauss]

SLAM Process

If your pool water was cloudy or had visible algae prior to draining, adjust the pH to 7.2, add 30 ppm worth of CYA via the sock method, and SLAM. Shock level for the SLAM will be 12 ppm FC.

All that is assuming you fully drained your pool. If you left more than a couple of inches of water in the deep end, then wait until you fully circulate the pool for several hours, including brushing, and test your pH and CYA first.

 

[Viperscorpio]

For liquid cya, do I just pour it in? I already have it - a friend gave his supplies to me.

 

[mknauss]

Yes. Do brush well as some solids may be in it. Also wash out the bottle as much of the CYA material may be clumped in the bottom.

 

[Viperscorpio]

Ok thanks for the help and the tip!

I'll.post back later tonight once it finally finished filling and I can run the pump and add cya.

Thanks!

 

[proavia]

While you're waiting for it to finish filling, wet down your plaster frequently. You don't want it to dry out and in this almost 100 degree dry heat, it will.

 

[Viperscorpio]

Oh yeah I was getting it every 15 minutes

It's all full now, and did a test...results below

FC/CC both 0
pH 7.6
TA 130
CH 225
CYA test stops at 30, so less than that. Was absolutely clear, so 0 or very close to it.

 

[Viperscorpio]

So next steps, if someone would be kind enough to confirm...

Pump running for all steps

1) add muriatic acid (I have 31.45%, but not sure what the 20° Baume means in the app?)
2) wait (how long?)
3) add cya
4) brush to aid in mixing/dispersion
5) wait (how long? Have a gallon liquid instant conditioner)
6) add chlorine (do I need to add enough to slam? Didn't have cloudiness or visible algae prior to drain, just high cya/ch)

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

31.45% is fine. The 20 Baume is just a chemistry term.
Add the acid and CYA. Acid in stream at pool return.
You can brush if you like.
No need to wait.
Raise your FC to shock level based on your targeted CYA using FC/CYA Levels

 

[Viperscorpio]

Thanks!!

MA, CYA, and bleach added per poolmath! Pump running & I brushed just for good measure. I'll test in a few hours and update.

 

[Viperscorpio]

A few hours later (just after dark)

FC 10.5 (I put in enough for 10, as that's what the poolmath app said)
CC - 0
CYA - 30

Note The pool didn't have any direct sunlight after I added the chlorine

 

[mknauss]

Raise your FC to 12 ppm. That is shock level for 30 ppm CYA.

 

[proavia]

6) add chlorine (do I need to add enough to slam? Didn't have cloudiness or visible algae prior to drain, just high cya/ch)

Thanks!

If you did not have any cloudiness, visible algae or think you may have been on the edge of an algae bloom - there is no reason SLAM Process . But since you are at 10.5 just after dark, test the FC in the morning before the sun hits the pool to complete the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you lose less than 1.0 ppm FC and the CC is 0.5 or less, you passed.

With the heat we will be having here in the coming days, you may want to donsider raising your CYA to 50 to keep the FC from burning off too quickly - assuming you are going to use liquid chlorine for sanitation.

 

[Viperscorpio]

Just tested this morning. Looks like I passed the OCLT. FC 10, CC 0.

I'll see how much chlorine I go through at this CYA. The pool does get quite a bit of shade.

Thanks so much for guiding me through all this.

 

[mknauss]

Did you have the pump running overnight?

My concern is you started with algae according to your first post.

 

[proavia]

I may have misunderstood the OP's first post - but I don't think algae is an issue...

My pool didn't have any issues that I detected
BUT
other than water clarity/algae, I don't know what I'm looking for.

Emphasis is mine.

Good catch on having the pump running overnight. I guess we need clarification from the OP.

 

[Viperscorpio]

sorry about the ambiguity! (edited original post to replace the, in hindsight, horribly worded statement)

what I was trying to say is there was no algae or cloudiness of the pool. It was crystal clear. I just drained due to high CH & CYA readings.

The pump did run overnight.

Thanks!