SLAM Issue

During the day FC burns off as a %, so you'll see more loss at 36 than at 8. But even then, did you really make 78 perfect drops ? Was the sample size dead on at 10 ml ? The higher the FC, the more room for human error with both.

When folks see **no other signs** than an overnight loss after a couple of attempts, we usually tell them to let it fall to target range and try the OCLT there.
Makes sense - not a scientific concept but more of a human issue. Thanks
 
Well I’m still slamming - not really seeing signs of algae but my test scores aren’t up to snuff.

I hit the cover and cover box HARD today. First time ever going this far with it. The box got scrubbed down and hosed out. The standing water in the box was removed via a shop vac. Used Simple Green and Dawn. It was full of caked dirt, mud, leaves, and a lot of yellow stuff which probably was pollen.

The cover itself was also cleaned with a mild cleaner and water removed. It looks light years better.

I’m burning more FC than I care to see - I have ordered a new comparator so I can double check my CYA. I was thinking it was at 70 but it was at 60 at the end of last season, and I never added any stabilizer when I did the start up this year. I’ve replaced water also so I think it would have gone down. I just want to double check that result with a fresh comparator.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
I hit the cover and cover box HARD today. First time ever going this far with it. The box got scrubbed down and hosed out. The standing water in the box was removed via a shop vac. Used Simple Green and Dawn. It was full of caked dirt, mud, leaves, and a lot of yellow stuff which probably was pollen.
Nice. It sure wasn't helping anything. Hopefully being gone helps.
 
Is there some science behind CYA tests and water being tested at colder temps? Does it throw test off? Think I read that once. My water is around 60-65 right now.
 
Is there some science behind CYA tests and water being tested at colder temps? Does it throw test off? Think I read that once. My water is around 60-65 right now.
CYA test samples should be warmed to room temperature.

It is discussed in CYA Testing - Further Reading
 
  • Like
Reactions: MWC
Will re-attempt CYA with room temp water.

Also - randomly noticed this: have an older bottle of DPD powder and a brand new one. Have tested with both from same location. One shows 27 FC and the other (newer, fresher) 35 FC. I kept my testing kit indoors during the winter. So strange.
 
I just cannot seem to get ahead of this one.

Went from 35 FC to 31.5 overnight. Cc of .5 this am. Have thrown in 3 gallons of 10% already this AM and the FC is barely hanging around 32. We’ve got full sun so far today. Water looks fine. I just am burning FC.
Last test was 32 and 1.0 cc at 900am.

Thoughts? I’m on day 5 only so maybe that’s my answer. My last slam was at a much lower CYA. I’m at 70 on this one……I need to lower it.
 
Clean your vial with rubbing alcohol and dry. Keep them clean. Dirty vials are a known cause of testing error.
Yes, SLAM can be harder at 70, but can be done.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Opened the cover about 6 and waited about 20 mins to test - got 42 Fc and .5 cc. Maybe saw a couple small spots that were questionable.
 
Got 43 FC and 0 CC on my pm test. No additions since this am and really only a smidge of UV hit it since 10 am or so. Was at 42 earlier (twice).

Silly q: would 41 in the am be considered a likely pass? The pm test was 85 - 86 drops at 10 ml. That’s a lot of drops.
 
Why is your FC so high? At a CYA of 70, SLAM level FC is 28. Dosing higher than SLAM level FC will not help. It is about maintaining.
Let's keep our dosing to SLAM level FC...
 
It was in the low 30s and this morning I threw in three bottles, thinking I was having a lot of pushback. I don’t think I waited the requisite time to allow the liquid to circulate. I have been hovering around 30 the entire slam.

My first addition didn’t seem to increase anything - you have to consider this is my first day with the cover and box sterilized. So when it didn’t go up I was thinking I need to get ahead of this now. So, I tossed in two more bottles. Than an hour later it was at 42 from 31ish I think. And I’ve been there ever since. So I’m pleasantly surprised. Being this high is an accident basically.
 
Last edited:
I wasn’t going to be here today to test periodically. That’s why. Just a combo of being gone all day and the cover stuff being cleaned out. Have been experiencing huge fc loss all week hour to hour. Was thinking would fall below 28 while I was gone.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support