SLAM Questions

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Peiloy

0
Apr 30, 2018
65
Trinidad
A couple of months ago I started loosing chlorine at a faster rate than usual so I performed an overnight test which failed. I followed the SLAM procedure and everything went back to normal. This weekend we had a storm. I checked my FC before the storm and I was at 7 PPM with a CYA of 70. During the storm I ran my SWG at 100%, which in retrospect may not have been a good idea. After the storm my FC was at 6, but my salinity was down to 2300 and CYA down to 50. The next night I added salt as I did not have enough the day before and also adjusted my other parameters. I noticed that night my chlorine had dropped to 1.5 PPM which is very unusual consumption for my pool. I quickly brought it back to 5PPM with liquid bleach. Then I did an overnight test last night and lost 2 PPM, so I know that I need to SLAM again. These tests were with a Taylor FAS-DPD kit. I have a few questions though. The first question is where did I go wrong so that I need to SLAM again within a couple of months. Did I do something wrong with how I handled the storm, or could it be the first SLAM was not effective? My other questions are to do with the SLAM process this time so that there are no grey areas for me:
1) I have Ledge Lounger Furniture in my tanning ledge. Their instructions said that they should be removed if going through a pool shock, so I removed them during the last SLAM. Is there any harm in leaving them in so that if there is anything on them it gets cleaned too?
2) During the last SLAM process I bypassed my heater as I was not sure it would be affected. Should I bypass this time, or leave the water circulating through it?
3) I have some water features (Sheer, Laminars and Bubbler). Should I constantly circulate water through these features, leave them off, or periodically pass water through during the slam?

I apologize for all of these questions, but I just want to be sure about what I am doing this time.
Thanks for the help.

Troy
 
Peiloy,

Sorry to hear about the problems with your pool. If you can fill in your signature it will help our experts get you advice quicker. To do this click on your name above right and then select "signature". Enter your pool type and size plus your equipment brands and model numbers test kit information etc. Then press "save". This info will be posted on the bottom of all future posts. This info is often needed to diagnose your problem and will often save you a cycle of questions from the experts. Here's what I'd say in response to your questions:

  • You need a SLAM now. Do this precisely according to the procedure. Don't forget the "M" for maintain. Make sure you test frequently so you maintain SLAM FC level. Also all the other requirements must be met. Skipping anything requires more time and expense.
  • TFP methodology requires brushing, testing, and maintenance on a regular basis. Often pools that are not maintained on our recommended schedule experience algae that requires more frequent SLAM. This could be what happened in your case.
  • I SLAM through my heater with no issues. Just don't exceed the SLAM levels and make sure you follow the procedure precisely.
  • I have bubbler piping for my pool and I make sure I cycle flow through it every other day or so just to be sure it doesn't become and untreated hiding place for algae. When I go an extended period with no flow I usually detect the strong chlorine odor that indicates chlorine is reacting with organics and creating the chloramine odor.
Please keep the questions coming, there is never a problem with asking them. Helping is what we do. Good luck!

Chriss
 
setsailsoon said:
Peiloy,

Sorry to hear about the problems with your pool. If you can fill in your signature it will help our experts get you advice quicker. To do this click on your name above right and then select "signature". Enter your pool type and size plus your equipment brands and model numbers test kit information etc. Then press "save". This info will be posted on the bottom of all future posts. This info is often needed to diagnose your problem and will often save you a cycle of questions from the experts. Here's what I'd say in response to your questions:

  • You need a SLAM now. Do this precisely according to the procedure. Don't forget the "M" for maintain. Make sure you test frequently so you maintain SLAM FC level. Also all the other requirements must be met. Skipping anything requires more time and expense.
  • TFP methodology requires brushing, testing, and maintenance on a regular basis. Often pools that are not maintained on our recommended schedule experience algae that requires more frequent SLAM. This could be what happened in your case.
  • I SLAM through my heater with no issues. Just don't exceed the SLAM levels and make sure you follow the procedure precisely.
  • I have bubbler piping for my pool and I make sure I cycle flow through it every other day or so just to be sure it doesn't become and untreated hiding place for algae. When I go an extended period with no flow I usually detect the strong chlorine odor that indicates chlorine is reacting with organics and creating the chloramine odor.
Please keep the questions coming, there is never a problem with asking them. Helping is what we do. Good luck!

Chriss
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help Chriss. I have updated my signature. Do you have any advice on the in pool furniture? Also, I test daily and make adjustments as needed while clearing the skimmer basket. Weekly I brush or vacuum along with cleaning pump basket. Am I missing something?

Troy
 
Last edited:
Troy, if it's possible there is algae clinging to your pool furniture, you have 2 choices. Brush and leave in pool so higher clorine levels can kill the algea or remove and wash with a bleach solution so there is no algea when you return the furniture to the pool.
 
Troy,

You're very welcome, and great job on the signature.

Any surface in the pool can be a place for algae to reside. So I would leave it out or at least try to wipe off the part that's in the water. You live in a warm, humid environment so like most areas algae will be continually "re-infecting" your pool. Your protection from algae blooms is chemistry balance and mechanical cleaning that keeps algae colonies from developing. Without mechanical cleaning algae can form colonies that can develop a protective layer that inhibits FC from reacting to destroy the algae cells. In areas more prone to contamination and/or pools with areas of minimal circulation I've found additional mechanical cleaning can help so you may want to try this. If you're maintaining 7 FC at your CYA you have plenty of chlorine. A huge rain can also cause rainwater to run into the pool and it can bring a high organic load with it that temporarily consumes your FC which then recovers after the rain stops. So it's not a bad idea to add a little FC with liquid after such events.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Chris
 
setsailsoon said:
Troy,

You're very welcome, and great job on the signature.

Any surface in the pool can be a place for algae to reside. So I would leave it out or at least try to wipe off the part that's in the water. You live in a warm, humid environment so like most areas algae will be continually "re-infecting" your pool. Your protection from algae blooms is chemistry balance and mechanical cleaning that keeps algae colonies from developing. Without mechanical cleaning algae can form colonies that can develop a protective layer that inhibits FC from reacting to destroy the algae cells. In areas more prone to contamination and/or pools with areas of minimal circulation I've found additional mechanical cleaning can help so you may want to try this. If you're maintaining 7 FC at your CYA you have plenty of chlorine. A huge rain can also cause rainwater to run into the pool and it can bring a high organic load with it that temporarily consumes your FC which then recovers after the rain stops. So it's not a bad idea to add a little FC with liquid after such events.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Chris
Click to expand...
This does help. Thank Chris! I do have one more question for you though. This is a picture of my pool. As you can see I have a lot of trees surrounding it. Does this add to the likelihood of algae re-infecting my pool?
IMG_2607.jpg

Troy
 
Peiloy said:
This does help. Thank Chris! I do have one more question for you though. This is a picture of my pool. As you can see I have a lot of trees surrounding it. Does this add to the likelihood of algae re-infecting my pool?
View attachment 119386

Troy
Click to expand...
Gorgeous pool Troy! Yes, lots of opportunity for algae. Maybe brush a little more often. You're already very diligent with your testing and water chemistry.

Chris
 

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So I am not sure where I went wrong in my calculation as I used pool math, but I overshot my slam level by a lot. I was supposed to go to 28, but just tested and I am at 39. Will that high level damage anything? Should I bypass my heater? My CYA is 70.
 
I doubt it will hurt the finish, just don't run the heater and turn off the salt system 'till you get down to SLAM level if you haven't done so already. Just to be sure, I'll ask experts for heaters and finishes/chemistry weigh in @pooldv @bdavis466 @JoyfulNoise

Chris
 
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