SLAM/Floccing and a Potential Blind Vaccum. Ingenius ideas needed from the TFP brains trust.

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R

Reubzy

Active member
Dec 27, 2021
41
Brisbane, Australia
Pool Size
50000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Astral Viron eQuilibrium EQ25
Hi All,

I'll cut straight to the chase, am in desperate need of ideas to fix the pool!

We have been renovating and have just had a young son, this has resulted in me leaving the pool for ~8months. It has become almost black and full of Crud. A significant ammount of runoff from the recent floods in Brisbane, Australia resulted in significant organic matter being deposited into the pool.

The process I have followed has been:
1. Scooped out all organic matter by using a grid pattern (can't see more than 100mm below surface of water) with the leaf scoop.
2. SLAM process for 5 days with no significant changes although the pool colour went from black to a lighter blue/green.
3. On the advice from the local pool shop I flocced the pool with the Aluminum floc (Now having investigated these forums) I know this is where I went wrong.

The pool is now a nicer blue colour but the water is extremely cloudy and I can't see more than I would say 150mm. This is an issue as while I CAN vaccum to waste the flocculent I placed into the pool, I can;t see the bottom of the pool and an not sure if there is still debris or If I am successfully vaccuming the floc.

Without going on my issue is now that I have a pool that has Floc settled (I assume) on the bottom, possibly also some minor debris and silt, and I need to keep the SLAM process going. The issue being if I can't see the bottom of the pool, how can I vaccum to waste and get the floc out before reinitiating the SLAM process?

Is a blind vaccum my only option? Risking potentially that some debris will clog the vaccum?

Is there a way for me to wait for the floc to break down enough to filter it through the sand filter?

Kind Regards,
Reuben
 
Reubzy said:
SLAM process for 5 days with no significant changes although the pool colour went from black to a lighter blue/green.
Click to expand...
The SLAM process timeline Varys by several factors but mainly how well you can maintain the SLAM FC level. If you can test every 3-4 hrs and bring up the FC then the process moves faster, if not, then expect longer time. So you were on the right path, just needed to give it more time.

The vacuum to waste process prevents the floc from clogging your filter, so I would continue that. I assume you are replacing water as you are vacuuming, so your water chemistry is changing. Therefore test often and maintain your FC levels.

Welcome to TFP. Others will chime in on additional thoughts.
 
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Welcome! Yeah, in hindsight it would've been best to exchange as much water as possible first before attempting the SLAM and probably not used the floc, but as you said it's water under the bridge now. That's okay, but what's not clear is if any of the floc was pulled into the sand earlier. If so, your sand may be compromised and need to be replaced at some point. You can continue with the SLAM Process now, and as Herman noted your progress will vary based on your consistency of testing and maintenance. Hopefully you got all the large junk off the pool floor so that you can vacuum blindly without issues. You do want to get the floc out of there, but my gut tells me some of the floc has already hit the sand or will at some point since your water was such a swamp to begin with when you first started and from the pool store's advice.

Do what you can with the SLAM Process and at some point you will see the water transition. Eventually you will see the bottom and know you are making progress, later you may consider changing the sand or at the very least inspect it to see if it's gummy or clumpy from the floc. Perhaps do a good deep cleaning of the sand. Good luck and keep us posted. Let us know if you have any problems along the way.
 
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@Texas Splash @HermanTX

Thanks gentlemen, I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to respond and give me a hand.

I can definitely see where I went wrong and the importance of the SLAM process. Intending to follow it to the letter going forward and give it the time it needs.

In terms of immediate steps, I'd love you input on specifically what you think I should do, I'm planning to:

  1. Blind Vac as much floc as I can without being able to see the bottom. Likely won;t get anywhere near clearing all the floc
  2. Once vacced, reinitate the SLAM process and switch back on the filter.
  3. Continue SLAM and backwash when pressure >10psi above typical pressure.
  4. Once I can see the bottom continue with vaccing as necessary.
  5. Continue SLAM until all 3 criteria satisfied.
  6. Likely have to replace sand in sand filter due to floc being in there. Will try deep clean as per the TFP instructions first.

Do you think this is my best plan of attack? I'm keen to hear your thoughts on if I will be able to get through the SLAM process with the sand filter likely taking alot of floc that I have missed in the blind vaccum?

Bonus photo aswell.unnamed.jpg
 
Just put the filter on recirculate to keep the water moving. Maybe you get lucky and didn’t wreck the sand. But be very sure there’s no more floc before you start filtering again. It’s dirty enough still that you just need vacuuming, chlorine, and time before worrying too much about filtering.
 
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@Bperry

Do you think the water will clear if its not filtering and only recirculating? For example If I SLAM for the next two weeks and get it stable will the floc then clear the water enough for me to vaccum and see the bottom?
 
Reubzy said:
@Bperry

Do you think the water will clear if its not filtering and only recirculating? For example If I SLAM for the next two weeks and get it stable will the floc then clear the water enough for me to vaccum and see the bottom?
Click to expand...
If you turn the filter on now, you’ll be cleaning the filter endlessly. It’ll be fine for a while to recirculate. Just do a lot of vacuuming and keep the FC up at slam level. It’ll be at least a couple weeks, probably longer with water that opaque.
 
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but I didn't see your pool volume listed. Exchanging some water could help expedite the SLAM process. You will do that to a small degree when vacuuming to waste, but a larger exchange could be advantageous. After that, a couple more attempts to let the water settle calmly for a few hours then vacuum the floc to waste should be enough. At that point you've probably removed as much floc as you can and can move forward with the SLAM. If you have to change the sand later, so be it, that's not the worse thing. Good luck!
 

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Texas Splash said:
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but I didn't see your pool volume listed. Exchanging some water could help expedite the SLAM process. You will do that to a small degree when vacuuming to waste, but a larger exchange could be advantageous. After that, a couple more attempts to let the water settle calmly for a few hours then vacuum the floc to waste should be enough. At that point you've probably removed as much floc as you can and can move forward with the SLAM. If you have to change the sand later, so be it, that's not the worse thing. Good luck!
Click to expand...
This is also good advice if it’s possible to exchange as much bad water for good as possible.
 
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Thank you all, will focus on the exchange, SLAM and vacuuming.

Hoping that at some point I will be able to see the bottom and get as much Floc as I can out.

Will report back and update. Very much appreciate the advice.
 
Texas Splash said:
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but I didn't see your pool volume listed. Exchanging some water could help expedite the SLAM process. You will do that to a small degree when vacuuming to waste, but a larger exchange could be advantageous. After that, a couple more attempts to let the water settle calmly for a few hours then vacuum the floc to waste should be enough. At that point you've probably removed as much floc as you can and can move forward with the SLAM. If you have to change the sand later, so be it, that's not the worse thing. Good luck!
Click to expand...
50,000 L or I believe 11,000 gallons?
 
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Reubzy said:
50,000 L or I believe 11,000 gallons?
Click to expand...

11000 would be imperial gallons. In US gallons it's 13200.

You're in good hands here, good advice from everyone.

Remember that the floc likes to puff up, even though you won't be able to see any of that. Give it some time to settle and then move the vacuum through very gently - since the goal is to drain some water anyway, you can as well take your time doing the blind vacuuming to waste, trying to disturb the sediment as little as possible
 
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Still very murky, however compared to the other pic from Monday we can see a positive change. Stick with it! With all the vacuuming, be sure to stay on top of the CYA and FC levels to ensure you are at the proper SLAM level. One day you'll see the water bounce back and show even more progress. Have a nice weekend.
 
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You got this! If you look at your first picture you will see the color starting to change towards blue. It does have a ways to go but it is heading there. Something you can do is take and share a pic every couple of days. That will help you and us see the improvements as you work your way through the SLAM!
 
You're getting there.

Here is a nice example for going from swamp (quite literally in this case) to pool:

From this:

Just bought house with pool---probably hasn't been opened in 3 years...

Hello everyone! I am so glad I found this site, because unlike the professionals I have called, you all seem to actually care about pools! ;) We just bought a house with an inground, vinyl lined pool. Approx 20x40 (need to unpack a measuring tape) and we aren't sure how deep the deep end goes...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Via this:
Hulligan said:
Yesterday, just spent more time scooping. Decided to dump a couple of gallons of bleach in the pool to see what happens...within an hour we have about 200 HUGE dead bullfrogs on the surface.
Click to expand...

And this:

Just bought house with pool---probably hasn't been opened in 3 years...

OMG That's disgusting! But of course....something inside me is calling for PICTURES! ;-) yup, couldn't agree more
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

To this:

Just bought house with pool---probably hasn't been opened in 3 years...

nice pond you started with... and good progress. no point in testing the water til you get all/most the debris out. and i wouldn't run the pump before i could see the bottom. leaf rake is good for big stuff - but as you mentioned - it stirs up the silt and any visibility is quickly gone. i have...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com


If they were able to clear their pool, surely you'll get yours clear again. You just need persistence, scrubbing, scooping and lots of chlorine.

Well done so far - keep going, don't give up.
 
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