Pool tech doesn’t agree with SLAM

[Beth0277]

I did an overnight chlorine test a few days ago based on advice here which showed I dropped from 8.4 to 5.x overnight, confirming suspicions of algae. I told my pool tech (who tests it once a week while we are getting used to things) and he disagrees. He used algaecide and said that all we are seeing is dead algae so the chlorine is doing its job and “give it time”.

I feel that he thinks I don’t trust him and he’s very knowledgeable but it varies from what I read here. What should I do?

All other levels are fine but chlorine has dropped consistently.

 

[ajw22]

Get another pool tech or do it yourself.

We have seen that you cannot move pool people out of their set ways and misunderstandings.

 

[Newdude]

What should I do?

You should pick one method and stick with it. Mixing and matching makes even good things go south.

Either trust your pool guy (and/or the next bunch of pool guys who all follow the same method), or take over the chemistry yourself and just have them vacuum or whatever else you need.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

What should I do?

Fire the pool tech, you don't need the service. Honestly, you have an SWG, you have your own test kit, you can easily buy acid and any other chemical you need locally ... so what exactly is this tech doing??

Losing 3ppm overnight is a sure sign of algae. There is plenty of information, advice, and people willing to help on this forum. If you're paying for a pool service, you're wasting your money.

Also, algaecide is completely unnecessary in most pools ... so your tech is adding stuff to your pool that you don't need and charging you an arm & leg to ... skim leaves? Vacuum?

 

[Beth0277]

They also mentioned adding a lot of liquid chlorine (like the slam method) can cause damage. Is that true?

 

[JamesW]

Can you post a full set of readings?

Get Poolmath and begin tracking all readings.

PoolMath

 

[ajw22]

They also mentioned adding a lot of liquid chlorine (like the slam method) can cause damage. Is that true?

Whoever said that does not understand how CYA buffers chlorine.

CYA Chlorine Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

The SLAM Process is safe when our FC/CYA charts are followed...

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JJ_Tex]

They also mentioned adding a lot of liquid chlorine (like the slam method) can cause damage. Is that true?

Ask him if adding lots of algaecide can cause copper staining? (hint: the answer is yes)

 

[Beth0277]

I thought my CYA was good but I just tested and it’s maybe a hair below 30. Could that be causing the chlorine issue? Do I need to figure that out before SLAM? Pool math says to add 7 pounds of dry stabilizer.

 

[ajw22]

Hair below 30 is fine for the SLAM Process

Do not add more stabilizer.

What chlorine issue?

 

[Beth0277]

Hair below 30 is fine for the SLAM Process

Do not add more stabilizer.

What chlorine issue?

I can’t get it to stay at a decent number. I did an overnight test a few days ago and it went down 3 ppm overnight. I have had suspicions that I had algae but wasn’t 100% sure.

 

[ajw22]

I can’t get it to stay at a decent number. I did an overnight test a few days ago and it went down 3 ppm overnight. I have had suspicions that I had algae but wasn’t 100% sure.

Your chlorine will keep on being consumed until you kill the algae and have an algae free pool.

Then you will lose normal 3-4 ppm per day from the sun UV consumption.

 

[dereksanders]

Everything these fine folks are telling you is true. You’ll be happy following their advice and instructions. Once you get the hang of it, which will happen very quickly, you’ll never look back and find yourself wondering what to do with all your free time.