Opening and SLAMing for the first time

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thebigwoo

thebigwoo

0
Apr 29, 2017
28
DAYTON, OH
Happy Pool Season Everyone!

We are doing our first "true" opening this year (last year we had the pool refinished so we started with fresh water). Needless to say, the water was rather green, so we've been SLAMing per the recommendations found on TFP.

Here are our readings for today:
FC 10.2
CC 0.6
PH 7.2
AK 100
CYA 00
CH 80

And this is what it looks like:
20180603_131528.jpg

We're no longer seeing any "green" algae in the pool, but the water is still very cloudy and we cannot see to the bottom in the deep end.

Are we ok to A) use our pool robot (aka little geek) to start cleaning some of this up and/or B) should we be vacumming this gunk out now? We've heard that we should wait until everything is "dead" before doing anything.

Thanks in advance for the feedback and assistance!
 
Hello!!!

Do you have your own test kit or are those numbers from the pool store? Pool store testing aren't reliable. If you don't have your own test kit, get the TF100 from TFTestKits.net or the Taylor K-2006C. The reason I asked is because of your reading FC and CC reading.

Also, you'll need to increase your CYA to 30 in order to proceed with the SLAM process. You need CYA to protect your chlorine or even maintain it. To add CYA, add it in a sock and hang it close to your return jet. Gently massage the sock to dissolve the granular once you have it hanging in your pool if you want to speed up the process. Wait 24-48 hours before you retest again your CYA. Continue vacuuming and brushing pool each day while in SLAM mood. Once pool is clear, its time to perform the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT).
 
These were our results. We do have our own test kit - purchased the recommended kit last year. :)

Do you think we'd be ok to put our pool robot in to help start cleaning all the gunk out, or would you recommend just vacuuming to waste?

Oh - we had pool store test, and this is what they got - not sure what we're doing wrong if our CC and FC numbers are so off.

CC 6.8
FC 5.6
PH 7.0
AK 100
CH 125
CYA 0


Thanks!!!
 
What type of test kit did you get. We don't really relay on pool store results...they are not really reliable. If you have your own test kit, we recommend you take your own test and post them. Just out of curiosity, why didn't you use your own test kit to test your levels? However, by just looking at your pool test results, you CC is way too high. Your FC is within range [if not in SLAM mode, but since you are..it is low]. You should pull-up your pH to a 7.2 (use Borax for this). Your CYA ... pull that up to a 30 using a stabilizer as indicated in post number #2 to start your SLAM.

Also, you can use your robotic cleaner if you would like to. I don't see the harm in doing that.

Nevertheless, clear you pool of debris using pool tools such as a brush, vacuum, pool net , etc. If your pool is really dirty (which it isn't) it is recommended that you vacuum to waste to avoid clogging up your filter. By scooping out as much junk on the surface as well as on the bottom (you can blindly use your pool net to get as much as possible), you’re allowing your chlorine do to its job on the algae.

Once your CYA is up to 30 or in the process of getting to 30, use the this link FC/CYA to determine the shock level you’ll need to SLAM your pool. For instance, if your CYA is 30 (or assuming it will be 30 once you’re CYA is fully dissolved), you will need to bring your FC level to a 12, thus starting the process of SLAMing your pool. Use PoolMath to determine how much chlorine you’ll need to reach FC shock level.

Also, make sure you leave you pump running 24/7 while SLAMing your pool (proper circulation/filtration of the pool water is recommended). Maintain your shock level… at the start of SLAM, chlorine may decrease rapidly as algae is being killed off. This is the reason why, at the start of the SLAM process, it is imperative that you make sure to test for FC every couple of hours and maintain the shock level by adding the correct amount of chlorine (PoolMath) when necessary. Having your own kit is very important here. Once algae is being killed off, the chlorine will not deplete as fast as it used to and you’ll not need to test so often.

You can find an example of this here Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain
 
The first set of results were using our kit, which is a Taylor K-2006. The second set was from the pool store. I always have the pool store test as well just to compare results.

We've added some CYA, so we'll see what our test results show in the morning. I'll be sure to post them!

We also started to vacuum to waste this afternoon, until we had an issue with the vacuum head. We'll pick up again tomorrow. Once we get the "big chucks" out, well let our pool robot "Little Geek" go to work!

To be continued tomorrow! Thanks!!! :cool:
 
Good morning,

Here's what we have this morning:

FC = 16
CC = 0.6
PH = 7.2
AK = 110
CH = 120
CYA = less than 30

I was planning on adding more shock this morning, but based on FC being at 16, we'll leave it be and let the inline feeder continue to feed it. May turn it down a touch, its at 7 currently.

CYA test was finally starting to get "cloudy" on the black dot, but not enough for it to disappear. I'll add 2 more pounds of CYA this morning and then test it again when we get home from work. I know we still need to get the PH up.

Went I checked the filter this morning it was at 25 pressure. I backwashed and rinsed, and it didn't drop below 16 (typically ran between 10-15 last summer). Do we need to backwash for longer to try and get the pressure down?

Again, thank you for your patience and assistance!
 
Thanks for the post...

FC should come down to a 12 and maintain it at at 12 for SLAM for a CYA of 30.

Are you sure your CYA is less than 30. When you look at the black dot, just GLANCE at it. A quick glance only. If you stare too long, you'll eventually see it. If after this quick glance your CYA is still less than 30, bring it up to a 30 and start your SLAM.

What do you mean by inline feeder (are you talking about the auto chlorinator)? I turned mine off as tabs often have CYA and could increase my CYA. All you need here is Chlorine & CYA (stabilizer). Muriatic Acid and Borax to manage PH on a periodic basis as needed.

As far as the backwash is concerned, I'll let an expert chime in here shortly. What did your pressure drop to when you backwashed it. You said 25? That's high considering your clean psi is 10-15. My clean pressure also runs around 15psi. I would think you'll need to backwash to get back to your clean psi. Nevertheless, I'll let someone chime in here about that and give you more information.
 
Yes, CYA is less than 30. I know about staring too long at the dot ... did that a lot last summer, thinking "this thing will never disappear" - lol! It was still there this morning, getting fainter, but still there. We'll see what our results are when we get home tonight.

Yes, we have an auto cholorinator. I can turn it off when I get home. We won't add anymore shock, so the FC level can come down a bit. Hopefully we can do some more vacuuming tonight too.


As for the filter ... pressure was at 25 before backwash, at 16 after - durning backwash it was riding at 15.

Thanks!!!
:shark:
 

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Hi Jezza - thanks!
It was at 25 this morning, which for what we normally run, was pretty high. We backwashed until the sight-glass was showing clear water. I guess I was more concerned with it only dropping down to 16 after we backwashed.

We'll see where it is tonight when we get home. Thanks!
 
Good evening TFP people!

We were able to get some good vacuuming in tonight, also brushed down the walls. It's looking better every day!!!

Tonight's results:
FC = 8.4
CC = 0.4
PH = 7.0
AK = 120
CH = 140
CYA = 45

We turned off the auto colorinator to avoid adding more CYA. We also added some addition shock to keep it at SLAM level.

Can we add PH Up after shock, or would it be best to wait til morning?

Thanks again for all the help!! I'll keep posting updates until we get it crystal clear!

-Nancy ;)

20180604_192919-kdcollage.jpg
 
Yep you don't want to be adding any more CYA- it will just increase the need for more chlorine. Just use bleach or liquid chlorine for the chlorine additions.

If your reading your CYA at 45, (we would round to 50), then you now need to increase your SLAM level of FC. That being the case you should. be SLAMming with an FC level of 20, and then maintaining that as much as you possibly can. It will make the whole process a lot quicker.

You don't need to worry about adding anything to adjust pH at this stage.
 
Thanks for posting your numbers...

You CYA is basically 50. Like Jezza said, with a CYA of 50, your FC shock level should be at a 20. Thus add enough chlorine to bring your FC shock to a 20 and maintain it there.

You're doing a great job.

 
I would just like to make a small notation. When you refer to "shock" THEBIGWOO are you referring to FC being at shock level appropriate to your CYA level of 50 ppm or are you using a "shock" product of granules such as Calcium Hypochlorite, Lithium Hypichlorite, or Di-Chlor granules.

Just want to be sure so you're CYA does not go any higher.

Your CYA is at 50 now so SLAM or "shock" at FC 20 ppm. with liquid bleach or pool chlorine only.

When you stated you have an Auto Chlorinator, is it a Salt Water Chlorinator or SWG? If that is the case, and you have such, take the CYA to 60 as per TFP SWG recommendation chart.

Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

Otherwise leave the CYA at 50ppm for non SWG, you are at the top of the range. You do not want to raise the CYA any higher or your chlorine demand will go up. As far as your PH is 7.0 that's good enough for a SLAM. Ideally you want it at 7.2 for a SLAM.

**Also keep in mind that any FC readings above 10 ppm. The PH readings are invalid as the SLAM FC alters the PH. You want a base pH of 7.2 before you SLAM. Then raise after passing SLAM 3 criteria test and allowing your FC to fall to maintenance levels or target levels after you pass the SLAM.
7.0 PH will suffice for now.
 
Good evening all!

Thanks everyone for the advice and words of encouragement!! Sorry I didn't post yesterday, it was rainy here and didnt do much outside. That being said, here is our numbers for this evening:

FC = 12
CC = 0.4
PH = 7.4
AK = 110
CA = 120
CYA = 35

It's still a little cloudy, but we can see the bottom drain, so we feel like we've made huge progress!! We're still vacuuming and brushing the walls, and our pool robot "Little Geek" got new filter screens today, so he's hard at work!

To answer some previous questions ... when I refer to shock, we're using liquid chlorine. We do not have Salt Water anything ... our "inline feeder" refers to our auto-clorinator (for 3" tablets), which is currently turned off.

I'm guessing the water will continue to get clearer little by little. Do you think it's too soon to try and do the overnight test?

Thanks again everyone!!
 
Good evening folks! It was a beautiful day here today, so we were able to brush the walls and vacuum when we got home from work (after a margarita or two). Here's tonight's results:

FC = 7.6
CC = 0.4
PH = 7.4
AK = 100
CYA = 35-40

Per pool math, we'll add a jug of shock tonight to try and bring it back up closer to 16.

It's looking so much better! Less and less stuff visible on the ledge and floor. Still a little cloudy in the deep end, so we're trying to remain diligent and patient.

This thread won't let me post pictures anymore, so I can't show you how good it's looking! :(

I may miss posting tomorrow, as I'm participating in the AIDS Walk Greater Dayton. Wish me luck that I can finish the 5K!!

-Nancy
 
Good morning everyone!

We did our overnight test last night. Tested around 10pm and hubby got up at 5AM this morning to test - the FC results were the same from last night to this morning!!! Hallelujah!!!

We have learned a lot going through this process for the first time this year, and I thank you all so very much! @Mendy48 - your patience and assistance was so helpful, I can't thank you enough!

Now, on to our next project of getting our new pool heater hooked up. New electric for the poop pump system and heat pump goes in this coming Thursday - super excited!!

Thanks again everyone!!!

-Nancy
 

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