SLAM my pool for the first time
- Thread starter amart0319
- Start date
Idle question about the iron - there were some other threads about it. I haven't experienced the problem myself, but gather it can impart a green tinge to the water. But from that picture, you have a TON of algae...so SLAM on. Much as we don't trust them, pool store is about the only easy way to test for iron. Not yet time to worry about that. Keep adding the chlorine.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,963
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
It may be easier and cheaper to just replace the 7500 gallons. Do you know what your water rates are?
Just so discouraging when you don’t see any change at all. I hope i see this lightening up soon. I’m doing everything I can and it's getting tiring.
Honestly I just got this filled up about 2 months ago, its either this SLAM works or the pool is getting shut down for the summer.
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1,434
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Where does your fill water come from? Are you certain this is algae and not iron? I can see how frustrating it would be if you’re doing an aggressive slam but not seeing even minor improvement after a couple of days. With a cya of 0 it’s not surprising to get algae during the summer because the chlorine burns off so fast.
I filled my water from a neighbor town. Not well water just city water. Not sure if that makes sense. Idk if I have iron in my pool I would have to go get tested at a pool store to check. I plan to check my cya tomorrow morning to make sure thats correct at I added a bit if stabilizer yesterday as advices here in the forum. Exactly frustrating as i’m going on day 2.5 days with change I know its not many days but it just seems like with all the chlorine and stay at fc nothing is really happening. Should I maybe go above fc?
UPDATE: 7/15 pool store test .1 ppm iron
Last edited:
If I can reconstruct the history here (and I realize there may be many test and additions you didn't post number for):
Sunday - FC was 4 ppm and you added
2 hrs later it was at 15
2 hrs after that it was at 8.5
At bedtime it was 7.5 and you added
Mon morn - it was 8.5 and you added
at 8 AM it was 9
(and then more adds and test)
So today (Tues) in the morning it was at 9.5, with more adds and tests later
Sun and Mon were high consumption days, judging by the adds and it kept dropping quickly after.
That's very normal with heavy algae, especially since you may not have been on a regular test/add schedule at that point.
Mon into Tues it looks like the rate of drop may be slowing down, if I read your posts correctly. That is also good.
It's a battle, and does take time. Your choice as to whether to quit early, of course, or to continue on. There is no quick fix, but it does seem like the tide is beginning to turn, although slower than you would like. This is a process, that takes patience and time.
Sorry to note, if you do decide to drain and replace, there will still be algae lurking in places that you just can't get at. So you will still need to SLAM the new water. But it will be a shorter period. And things will look great so you can swim in clear water rather than look at green. The deciding point is the cost of the new water vs the ongoing cost of the large amounts of Cl you are buying (and time spent testing, brushing, cleaning filters, etc.).
Sunday - FC was 4 ppm and you added
2 hrs later it was at 15
2 hrs after that it was at 8.5
At bedtime it was 7.5 and you added
Mon morn - it was 8.5 and you added
at 8 AM it was 9
(and then more adds and test)
So today (Tues) in the morning it was at 9.5, with more adds and tests later
Sun and Mon were high consumption days, judging by the adds and it kept dropping quickly after.
That's very normal with heavy algae, especially since you may not have been on a regular test/add schedule at that point.
Mon into Tues it looks like the rate of drop may be slowing down, if I read your posts correctly. That is also good.
It's a battle, and does take time. Your choice as to whether to quit early, of course, or to continue on. There is no quick fix, but it does seem like the tide is beginning to turn, although slower than you would like. This is a process, that takes patience and time.
Sorry to note, if you do decide to drain and replace, there will still be algae lurking in places that you just can't get at. So you will still need to SLAM the new water. But it will be a shorter period. And things will look great so you can swim in clear water rather than look at green. The deciding point is the cost of the new water vs the ongoing cost of the large amounts of Cl you are buying (and time spent testing, brushing, cleaning filters, etc.).
I’m going to stay the course, hopefully over the weekend I see progress, unfortunately Saturday I won’t be home but i’m going to try and get one of my family members to do it for the day. The rate drops are from longer periods of time being away from the pool no? Also going to test cya today to be sure i’m adding the correct amount.
UPDATE: cya is still 30 and I continue to add chlorine as recommended for my fc level 12. Its been about 2-3 days and still no change. Clean filter and brushed just now and it feels like my cartridge is just not catching that much. Can someone give me their opinion? Photo attached. The photo is about 24 hrs of being in use. Also can my outlet jet maybe be turn in the wrong direction?
Attachments
As noted, the first day or two, you were bouncing up and down a lot with the FC level, so that was doing things slower than it otherwise might of. If you can stay on course with frequent adds, and keep it up to 12, things will start to improve. It may be days more.
If you will be away longer, it is OK to go heavy and go above the SLAM level. More Cl will get wasted to the sun, but most will keep it from going too low. And if above SLAM level, no swimming. Just don't go crazy and take it above the next higher level.
After only 24 hrs your filter is definitely capturing algae. Filters actually filter better if a little dirty. Note what your clean pressure is now, right after cleaning. Then wait until it rises 5-7 lbs higher before cleaning again. (per the manual I found online).
As far as outlet jets - we'll need photos of the valves, pump and piping area, as we don't know your specific configuration.
If you will be away longer, it is OK to go heavy and go above the SLAM level. More Cl will get wasted to the sun, but most will keep it from going too low. And if above SLAM level, no swimming. Just don't go crazy and take it above the next higher level.
After only 24 hrs your filter is definitely capturing algae. Filters actually filter better if a little dirty. Note what your clean pressure is now, right after cleaning. Then wait until it rises 5-7 lbs higher before cleaning again. (per the manual I found online).
As far as outlet jets - we'll need photos of the valves, pump and piping area, as we don't know your specific configuration.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,963
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
There is no need to raise FC higher than SLAM level, and we don't recommend doing that. It is a waste of chlorine, and SLAM level FC is safe for pool, people and equipment. When you add chlorine, add enough to get to SLAM level FC, no more.
We recommend that you note pressure when the filters are clean. Clean again when pressure rises 25% over clean pressure.
I just realized my pressure valve is broken, the spinner in the middle is not attached at all so that doesn’t help. Not sure what to do about that.
So if i’m going to be out for the day maybe add chlorine to 14 ppm instead of 12?
I think my configuration is fine my water isn’t moving in a circular motion as it’s a rectangle but it’s definitely moving. I will add pictures if I can.
Pressure indicator is broken but going to swap out this afternoon. I will take note at that time.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,963
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
No. There is no need to raise FC beyond SLAM target. Slam target FC is safe for Pool, people and equipment. You will just be wasting chlorine.
Okay so stay the course and hope I see change soon. I want to check and make sure my pool gallons are correct. Any calculator you recommend? The pool store testing paperwork says my pool is 6796 but the pool says it holds up to 8,400 at 90% fill. Not sure what my fill is so maybe that is also playing role.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,963
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Test FC, add FC to target, test 30 minutes later. Take 30 minute FC and subtract starting FC. That number is the FC that was added.
Use "effects of adding" in pool math. Select liquid chlorine and enter your %concentration and how much chlorine you added. Change the pool volume until the effects on FC matches the FC that was added from above. That is close to your pool volume.
Use "effects of adding" in pool math. Select liquid chlorine and enter your %concentration and how much chlorine you added. Change the pool volume until the effects on FC matches the FC that was added from above. That is close to your pool volume.
FC tested now + 12 - FC 30 min later = total fc added? Correct? I will plug in that number into the app?