SLAM Process Questions

mjelsner

Member
Jun 17, 2020
9
Lafayette, IN
First off this is my first post and I just started with the TFP process last week. I have read through the pool school documents, but just wanted a little more information about what to expect during the SLAM process.

I started last week with water that got cloudy, started reading on this site about SLAM process, didn't really do the process per say just added Liquid Chlorine a few times last week based on my tests. Turns out I had an old test kit with old agents and I was not getting accurate readings. I bought a new TF-100 kit and received that Monday. Yesterday started the SLAM process because my FC was 8.5 and my CC was 2.0. PH 7.2 and CYA 50. Since yesterday I have added liquid chlorine (10%) 3 times now and had my FC level up to 25 at one point(not sure why it went so high).

Pool water is clear currently. It has been for the last few days, but doing the SLAM process because my CC is more than .5.
This morning test were
FC - 10
CC - 1.5
PH - 7.2
Added 166oz of Liquid Chlorine

Tested again at noon
FC - 15
CC - 1.0
Added 83oz of Liquid Chlorine.

I assume I am supposed to try and get the FC level to 20 (bc that's what the chart says) and then every time it lowers I am trying to get it back to that level, is this correct? (up until my CC level comes up)?
Also when my CC gets to .5 do I just let my FC drop to my target of 6, but keep testing to make sure my CC is .5 or less?

If I am way off, my apologies, I have tried to make sense of all of this. I have been going to the pool store all this time I have had my pool and have decided to try and take control of my money a little more!

Thanks!
 
Broad strokes are:

1. Hit and maintain SLAM FC levels.
2. Keep FC at that level day and night until the water looks clear, CC < 0.5, and you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you have a UV unit turn it off during the OCLT. I had left mine on and couldn't understand why I kept failing the OCLT despite TFP clear water and CC of zero. Turns out the UV unit was consuming chlorine overnight.


m.
 
Tested again at noon
FC - 15
CC - 1.0
Added 83oz of Liquid Chlorine.

I assume I am supposed to try and get the FC level to 20 (bc that's what the chart says) and then every time it lowers I am trying to get it back to that level, is this correct? (up until my CC level comes up)?
Also when my CC gets to .5 do I just let my FC drop to my target of 6, but keep testing to make sure my CC is .5 or less?
Yes, if your CYA is 50 then 20 FC is correct. Did you do the CYA test yourself? This is critical as pool store "free" CYA test results are notoriously unreliable. The more you can stay at SLAM level the shorter the process will be. Just keep at it. You will see reductions in FC loss over time if you stay at the SLAM level. Don't go way over SLAM level because this can damage your pool surface. Don't let the FC drop until you pass all the SLAM criteria not just the cc. They are:
I hope this is helpful.

Chris
 
Yes I did the CYA test myself with the test kit.
Just wanted to confirm, testing and adding chlorine every couple hours is good/expected to keep the FC level at 20?
Then should I see the CC level start to lower or will it just magically be at .5 or lower? I am testing about every 2-3 hours currently, is that good? Then adding more chlorine if necessary.
 
Broad strokes are:

1. Hit and maintain SLAM FC levels.
2. Keep FC at that level day and night until the water looks clear, CC < 0.5, and you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you have a UV unit turn it off during the OCLT. I had left mine on and couldn't understand why I kept failing the OCLT despite TFP clear water and CC of zero. Turns out the UV unit was consuming chlorine overnight.


m.
Thanks, I don't have a UV unit. I do have an automatic pool cover. Is it best that I keep that open or closed during SLAM?
 
Yes I did the CYA test myself with the test kit.
Just wanted to confirm, testing and adding chlorine every couple hours is good/expected to keep the FC level at 20?
Then should I see the CC level start to lower or will it just magically be at .5 or lower? I am testing about every 2-3 hours currently, is that good? Then adding more chlorine if necessary.
m,

That's great on the CYA. Every couple of hours is plenty. You'll find it drops a lot at first and then as the mass of algae present is oxidized and then FC levels will stay higher. CC levels generally reduce also but sometimes increase at first then drop. Depends on what all is reacting with the chlorine and other factors. During the slam keep your pump running 24/7 and monitor pressure. Clean as needed. Then you'll pass the completion criteria and you're done. At that point you can let the FC drop to target. When you get down to FC 10 or less you should check pH and adjust as needed.

I hope this helps.

Chris
 

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