SLAM questions

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binovc

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Jun 6, 2018
22
Southaven, MS
My first post (a week or so ago) was regarding the use of PhosFree (pool store said my phosphates were extremely high). As suggested by the forum, I returned it, and instead purchased a TFT100 test kit, which I just received yesterday. This was regarding my (continuing)
problem of not being able to keep a FC reading above "0".​

So last night I started SLAMing. CYA is 45 (from the "black dot" test, which is the same reading from my AquaChek 4-way test strips).
The FC chart suggested a shock level of 18, which corresponded to 2-1/2 gallons of liquid chlorine (I used 8.25% in the calculator, which is what I had at home at the time).
I added this last night, and (as I suspected it would) this morning I'm back to "0".
I added another 2-1/2 gallons of liquid chlorine (Walmart, 10% pool chlorine).
The recommendation is to test max once/hour, min 2x/day, more frequently during early SLAMing process. However since I'm at work, I won't be able to re-test for 9 hours. I expect when I do, the level will be back to "0".
My first question is, will this schedule work, or is it necessary to raise the FC back to 18 before it hits some minimum, and what is the minimum? (guessing maybe 3ppm?).

Second question is about measuring the CC. When I added the powder to my sample, it remained clear (no chlorine apparently).
I added 5 drops of R-0003, sample turned pink.
I added 1 drop of R-0871, and it turned clear (.5ppm CC).
Then as I moved on to test the Chlorine and PH using the comparator, I noticed that my CC sample (still sitting there) had become pink again, so I added a second drop of R-0871.
So my second question is how long should I be waiting between drops of R-0871? I initially thought my CC was .5 (which is a "good" reading), but adding another drop later on changed the CC reading to 1.0, which is "too high" (according to SLAM).
Thanks!
 
Always round up to the next line when measuring your CYA, so treat it as 50. This makes your SLAM target for FC 20. If you can't dose throughout the day, you can go over a little. In your case, I'd dose to 24 ppm. But too much over just becomes wasted, as the sun burns it off before it can really do much.

The solution will always turn pink again if you let it sit. Just count the drops until it initially turns clear and then you're done.
 
Ok, well one secret that I'm now revealing is that I have a wife at home. Didn't really want to have to involve her, but I have, so she is now a willing participant. Although she's a little "shocked" at how much liquid chlorine we're having to buy for the SLAM. Glad I got 8 gallons last night. Probably have to get more tonight...
So she has tested, and the FC had already gone back to "0", so she's going to add another 2.5 gal (10%).
We will monitor, and re-chlorinate when the FC level gets to about 3ppm. (3ppm good, right? we don't want to wait for it to go all the way to "0" do we?)
 
binovc said:
Ok, well one secret that I'm now revealing is that I have a wife at home. Didn't really want to have to involve her, but I have, so she is now a willing participant. Although she's a little "shocked" at how much liquid chlorine we're having to buy for the SLAM. Glad I got 8 gallons last night. Probably have to get more tonight...
So she has tested, and the FC had already gone back to "0", so she's going to add another 2.5 gal (10%).
We will monitor, and re-chlorinate when the FC level gets to about 3ppm. (3ppm good, right? we don't want to wait for it to go all the way to "0" do we?)
Click to expand...
Ideally, you don't let it get below 20. But since that's pretty close to impossible, do the best you can. If you keep the FC levels up, it goes faster. No two steps forward and one step back.
 
I don't understand the waiting until "3" perspective. If it takes 2.5 gal to get you from 0 to 20, and it quickly drops down to 0 again, you are simply not adding chlorine fast enough to maintain any kind of SLAM level. Why not bring it to 24 and test 1 hr later. If it is already down to 18, add more to get you back to 24 and test again in 30 min. Keep doing this as frequently as is possible, until you pass all SLAM criteria. Eventually, your FC will stop dropping so quickly and you will be able to space out the additions to 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 8 hrs...until the process is complete. Letting FC drop low just allows the algae to grow and will postpone your victory dance.
 
Ok, thanks for clarifying about goal being to keep the FC as close to shock level as possible. The SLAM instructions don't actually say this (or I missed it), so I wasn't sure just what to do after I adjusted up to this FC level.
Sig updated!
 
Update. I have decided in an effort to not go broke buying liquid chlorine (nearly $4/gal, for 10% at Walmart), to lower my pool to 16" (4400 gallons). Already used about 15 gallons. Adding a little over 1qt/ hour to maintain 24ppm.
I don't want to completely empty the pool because the liner will go slack, and afraid that will cause a problem.
SLAM'd all day yesterday (hourly), OCLT drop last night was 13 (16 last night, 3 this morning)...
Question is should I start filling back up with fresh water, or just leave it low until we get the SLAM finished?
Filling back to 42" costs about $25 in water. I'm a little worried about my liner drying out...
 
binovc said:
Ok, thanks for clarifying about goal being to keep the FC as close to shock level as possible. The SLAM instructions don't actually say this (or I missed it)
Click to expand...

SLAM stands for Shock Level and Maintain. The Maintain is exactly keeping yourFC as close to shock level as possible.

I would suggest you fill the pool back up. That way it can be circulated and filtered. Just maintain your FC based on your new CYA level.
 

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