SLAM Questions

[ATXpoolnewb]

Hello,

Thank you all so much for providing me the resources to get the SLAM process started and move forward as a pool owner that actually knows what I'm doing. We started our SLAM on Tuesday and the pool looks perfect. I'm not seeing any algae and the water is the most beautiful it has looked since I first filled the pool last August. My overnight FC loss, however, was 4ppm: from 11ppm last night at 10:30pm (added 16 oz. liquid chlorine per PoolMath) to 7ppm this morning at 8:00am (added 78 oz.). CC is between 0.5 and 1.0 (1 drop gets it pretty much clear but 2 drops makes it fully clear). I assume I should continue SLAM'ing until we have the overnight FC loss of less than 1.0 but I just wanted to check in with my results to make sure I'm doing everything properly.

One follow up question: we have a chlorinator that has a capacity three 3-in tablets. What setting should I keep that on during the SLAM process and then what setting should I keep that on moving forward post SLAM?

Thank you!
Peter

 

[kul]

Turn the chlorinator off for the OCLT test. Sounds like you’re doing the slam correctly just need to get the OCLT to pass.

 

[sande005]

As a reformed multi-decade tablet chlorinator guy...
The tablets are adding CYA at the same time they add Cl. Not super fast for CYA, but it will rise over time. One gets into a vicious circle - more CYA means higher dosage from the tablets needed to sanitize and control algae, which puts in even more CYA. At some point, the only way to lower CYA is to drain the pool and refill. Hence why they are not liked on this forum. At least I had the plus of having to lower the level of my pool every fall, for the winter. But I still did lots and lots of battle with algae, as I was unfamiliar with the CYA/CL relationship.
Best is a Salt Chlorine generator - but that is $ you may not be ready to spend. Second best is to continue, after the slam, using only liquid Cl. But that is a pain lugging jugs, and pretty frequent testing/adding (almost daily).
Empty the chlorinator for the SLAM, and just use liquid.
After the SLAM is fully over, if you must go with the tablets, it will be some experimenting with the setting so that it maintains the correct Cl level per the CYA/Cl charts on this site (or via PoolMath). You then should test Cl at least a couple of times a week after, as the chlorinator will need changes to keep the level correct just due to changing sun angles, changing daylight hours, higher temps, bather loads, etc. Toward fall, you will be able to reduce it. But test CYA, say monthly, so that you know when you have to jump up to the next higher level in the chart.

 

[ATXpoolnewb]

Thank you both very much!

 

[Bperry]

Hello,

Thank you all so much for providing me the resources to get the SLAM process started and move forward as a pool owner that actually knows what I'm doing. We started our SLAM on Tuesday and the pool looks perfect. I'm not seeing any algae and the water is the most beautiful it has looked since I first filled the pool last August. My overnight FC loss, however, was 4ppm: from 11ppm last night at 10:30pm (added 16 oz. liquid chlorine per PoolMath) to 7ppm this morning at 8:00am (added 78 oz.). CC is between 0.5 and 1.0 (1 drop gets it pretty much clear but 2 drops makes it fully clear). I assume I should continue SLAM'ing until we have the overnight FC loss of less than 1.0 but I just wanted to check in with my results to make sure I'm doing everything properly.

One follow up question: we have a chlorinator that has a capacity three 3-in tablets. What setting should I keep that on during the SLAM process and then what setting should I keep that on moving forward post SLAM?

Thank you!
Peter

The chlorinator wont work for long-term chlorine use unless you drain the pool to reduce the CYA every year or two.

 

[ATXpoolnewb]

Hi again,

We're now a week into SLAM and have been doing it consistently, at least 3x/day. Water looks amazing and have no signs of algae but I'm having trouble hitting both the OCLT <1.0 & CC <=0.5 on the same morning test. I've hit both of them, but never simultaneously. Should I give the cartridge filters another clean? Any other advice?

Thank you!

 

[proavia]

Check behind your pool light, in the skimmer/weir door and any ladder.
Chances are there is some algae hiding somewhere you haven't found yet.

Is the pool water gin clear and there isn't any dead or alive algae on the pool floor?
Stay the course, you're close.

 

[Bperry]

Hi again,

We're now a week into SLAM and have been doing it consistently, at least 3x/day. Water looks amazing and have no signs of algae but I'm having trouble hitting both the OCLT <1.0 & CC <=0.5 on the same morning test. I've hit both of them, but never simultaneously. Should I give the cartridge filters another clean? Any other advice?

Thank you!

Small correction is that the OCLT is 1.0 OR less. If you only lose 1ppm, its a pass.

 

[ATXpoolnewb]

Thank you. Dealing with some rain yesterday and today and CC has been 0.5 or 0.0 since last night but it was downpouring last night so didn’t get an overnight test. Looks clear all weekend so we’ll see what happens tonight.

 

[ATXpoolnewb]

SLAM passed this morning! Since I just started following Trouble Free Pools when my algae problem arose two weeks ago, I haven't done any normal care under the "TFP way." I read through the Pool School info but I'm still a little confused on all of the tests I'm supposed to run with the TF-Pro kit and my target levels. I do plan on hosing down the 4 cartridge filters again tomorrow (did it right before SLAMing) since they were very dirty last time and I wanted to start as clean as possible post-SLAM.

Also, what is a good run time schedule for the pumps? The pool school guy from the building company told me 12 hours in the summer and then reduce in the winter but it seems like a bunch of stuff he told me is wrong so I'm hoping y'all can help out and give me the tools I need to maintain this beautiful pool without trouble. Pictures attached from today thank you!

 

[Bperry]

SLAM passed this morning! Since I just started following Trouble Free Pools when my algae problem arose two weeks ago, I haven't done any normal care under the "TFP way." I read through the Pool School info but I'm still a little confused on all of the tests I'm supposed to run with the TF-Pro kit and my target levels. I do plan on hosing down the 4 cartridge filters again tomorrow (did it right before SLAMing) since they were very dirty last time and I wanted to start as clean as possible post-SLAM.

Also, what is a good run time schedule for the pumps? The pool school guy from the building company told me 12 hours in the summer and then reduce in the winter but it seems like a bunch of stuff he told me is wrong so I'm hoping y'all can help out and give me the tools I need to maintain this beautiful pool without trouble. Pictures attached from today thank you!

Once your done, you test FC and pH every day until you get a feel for what the pool needs, then can probably back off to a few times a week. Just make sure the FC/CYA ratio on the chart showing your target range is where you keep the FC.

The pump only needs to run to skim the water, mix chemicals, and filter. Run it for however long it takes for you to be happy with cleanliness of the pool. Might need 12 hours or could be 4. I just run mine 24x7 at low speed so I get constant skimming and can make chlorine (with the SWCG) any time.