SLAM Level for Weekly Maintenance?

Triumph65

0
Gold Supporter
May 10, 2018
123
Wimberley Texas
Pool Size
48000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Sorry if this is a dumb question. If I had to guess I would say it causes undue stress on my DE elements in the pool filter.

So here is he question. Sometimes when I know I’ll be gone for the weekend I’ll raise the pool to SLAM level before leaving. Any problem with doing this routinely? For example, I knew last week was going to be a crazy week at work with a bunch of early mornings and late nights. I raised my FC to SLAM level and it got me from Sunday night to today.

Any problems with doing this too often?
 
No, it's fine. There might be some effect over the very long-term, but not enough that you would notice. SLAM level is actually many times less harsh than a pool with zero CYA and the standard 1-3 FC level.
 
@dirk - How would I do that?

Two common ways, both described at length elsewhere on the forum:

1.
Convert your pool to a saltwater pool and install an SWCG (a salt water chlorine generator). This eliminates the need to buy and lug and store LC. It's made "on site," fresh daily! Many have done the math, the cost of these systems (which are consumable), comes out to about the same as buying LC. You just pay up front for SWCG. Many people find the saltwater more comfortable. It's not like sea water, more like the salinity of your tears. Most people can't taste it. Not only can you leave your pool for stretches of days without worrying about chlorine dosing, it's incredibly convenient when you're home. They do conk out in winter, if your pool water dips below about 50°, but your chlorine demand dips dramatically in winter, too, so that's not that big of a deal. I wouldn't want a pool without one.

2.
Install a Stenner dosing system. These don't require the pool to be saltwater. They consist of a timer, a small pump and a large container of LC. It dispenses what your pool needs on the time table you set up. Has the advantage of being able to work through winter, but you still have to buy and lug chlorine (you just don't have to pour it in every day any more).

With either system setup correctly, your pool will receive multiple small doses of chlorine throughout the day, which is better for the pool water, and better for its occupants.

There are other automation systems, but those two work well and are the least expensive solutions. I have an SWCG. I also have an acid dosing machine. Since they both went online early last summer, I haven't touched chemicals, at all (except to fill the acid hopper once), and my pool's chemistry has been spot on, every single hour of every single day. I've gone as long as 11 days without having to pay any attention to the pool. I could go much longer if I had to. I spent about $1500 total for both systems. The SWCG is supposed to last about seven years (but I'll be happy with 4 or 5, and the acid dosing gizmo should last indefinitely with regular annual maintenance (during which I'll have to replace a few relatively inexpensive parts (wear and tear)).

Now this is a rosy picture, but keep in mind they are gizmos, and gizmos fail. So they're not 100% infallible. But when they work, they work really well...
 
Two common ways, both described at length elsewhere on the forum:

1.
Convert your pool to a saltwater pool and install an SWCG (a salt water chlorine generator). This eliminates the need to buy and lug and store LC. It's made "on site," fresh daily! Many have done the math, the cost of these systems (which are consumable), comes out to about the same as buying LC. You just pay up front for SWCG. Many people find the saltwater more comfortable. It's not like sea water, more like the salinity of your tears. Most people can't taste it. Not only can you leave your pool for stretches of days without worrying about chlorine dosing, it's incredibly convenient when you're home. They do conk out in winter, if your pool water dips below about 50°, but your chlorine demand dips dramatically in winter, too, so that's not that big of a deal. I wouldn't want a pool without one.

2.
Install a Stenner dosing system. These don't require the pool to be saltwater. They consist of a timer, a small pump and a large container of LC. It dispenses what your pool needs on the time table you set up. Has the advantage of being able to work through winter, but you still have to buy and lug chlorine (you just don't have to pour it in every day any more).

With either system setup correctly, your pool will receive multiple small doses of chlorine throughout the day, which is better for the pool water, and better for its occupants.

There are other automation systems, but those two work well and are the least expensive solutions. I have an SWCG. I also have an acid dosing machine. Since they both went online early last summer, I haven't touched chemicals, at all (except to fill the acid hopper once), and my pool's chemistry has been spot on, every single hour of every single day. I've gone as long as 11 days without having to pay any attention to the pool. I could go much longer if I had to. I spent about $1500 total for both systems. The SWCG is supposed to last about seven years (but I'll be happy with 4 or 5, and the acid dosing gizmo should last indefinitely with regular annual maintenance (during which I'll have to replace a few relatively inexpensive parts (wear and tear)).

Now this is a rosy picture, but keep in mind they are gizmos, and gizmos fail. So they're not 100% infallible. But when they work, they work really well...

Dirk, thanks for taking the time to explain. I may indeed take your suggestions. I’m only hesitant because I’m not sure how much longer we will be in this house and don’t want to sink any more money into it.
 
Dirk, thanks for taking the time to explain. I may indeed take your suggestions. I’m only hesitant because I’m not sure how much longer we will be in this house and don’t want to sink any more money into it.

Roger that. I'm of the mind (backed up by my own recent "steal" of a home purchase experience) that a pool adds virtually nothing to the sale price. Certainly no improvements would.
 
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