SLAM Sanity Check

[pool512]

Hello. I have been doing my first SLAM, after I discovered a moderate amount of green algae. My CC was at 0.6, and overnight loss was 1.4 (CYA of 30, SLAM FC at 12 according to PoolMath app).

My water cleaned up quickly and is very clear now, and I no longer see much when brushing (and vacuum filters look clean of algae), but I'm 4 days in, and still keep needing about 3/4 gallon of 7.5% bleach every 3-4 hours (to maintain FC of 12).

Is this normal?

How often does the SLAM take others?

Is there anything more I could be doing (besides checking and topping every 3-4 hours, brushing and vacuuming daily, and backwashing DE as needed).

Thanks much!

 

[splashpad]

My water cleaned up quickly and is very clear now, and I no longer see much when brushing (and vacuum filters look clean of algae), but I'm 4 days in, and still keep needing about 3/4 gallon of 7.5% bleach every 3-4 hours (to maintain FC of 12).

Is your pool in direct sun for any length of time?
Does it hold FC level overnight?

 

[IceShadow]

You can do the FC test with 10ml of water and count each drop as 0.5ppm. Save some reagents.

 

[pool512]

Is your pool in direct sun for any length of time?
Does it hold FC level overnight?

It is in direct sun for probably 4-6 hours per day. It does not hold FC overnight... I top it off to 12 at sunset, and it's typically 8-9 at sunrise.

 

[pool512]

You can do the FC test with 10ml of water and count each drop as 0.5ppm. Save some reagents.

Yes, I switched to using 10ml after I realized how much reagent I was using. Just bought another bottle...

 

[splashpad]

It is in direct sun for probably 4-6 hours per day. It does not hold FC overnight... I top it off to 12 at sunset, and it's typically 8-9 at sunrise.

Have you checked behind all fixtures/covers under the water level? It sounds like you might still have some algae hiding.

And 4 days isn't too long Though I understand the frustration when the water starts to look good!

 

[BowserB]

First, what test kit are you using? My TFT kit only shows increments of .5ppm per drop. .6 and 1.4? Next, try getting some 10% pool chlorine from Walmart. That's a lot more chlorine per gallon to carry, and I'm suspicious of supermarket bleach anyway (you know, added ingredients.) Finally, how often are you brushing and reboosting FC. If you read enough here, you'll see that dusk and dawn may not be often enough. And I always subscribe to over-treating when it comes to chlorine. If you're not swimming in it, you could also go higher, especially since you're dropping below SLAM levels overnight.

 

[pool512]

Have you checked behind all fixtures/covers under the water level? It sounds like you might still have some algae hiding.

And 4 days isn't too long Though I understand the frustration when the water starts to look good!

I have scrubbed all the fixtures (3 lights and jets), but haven't disassembled anything.

 

[splashpad]

I have scrubbed all the fixtures (3 lights and jets), but haven't disassembled anything.

You can post pictures of the fixtures, but the majority have removable covers that should be cleaned behind which can help expedite the SLAM process
But it still takes time and you are making progress!

 

[pool512]

First, what test kit are you using? My TFT kit only shows increments of .5ppm per drop. .6 and 1.4? Next, try getting some 10% pool chlorine from Walmart. That's a lot more chlorine per gallon to carry, and I'm suspicious of supermarket bleach anyway (you know, added ingredients.) Finally, how often are you brushing and reboosting FC. If you read enough here, you'll see that dusk and dawn may not be often enough. And I always subscribe to over-treating when it comes to chlorine. If you're not swimming in it, you could also go higher, especially since you're dropping below SLAM levels overnight.

I am using a Taylor K-2006 kit. It shows .5ppm with a 10mL sample, or .2ppm with a 25mL sample. I am adding bleach every 3 hours, starting at sunrise and ending at sunset.

As far as increasing the FC... I'm following the PoolMath recommendation for my CYA (30). Is that not correct?

Thanks!

 

[pool512]

You can post pictures of the fixtures, but the majority have removable covers that should be cleaned behind which can help expedite the SLAM process
But it still takes time and you are making progress!

I have 3 Pentair light fixtures, which I scrubbed, but never tried to disassemble. Are you also talking about other fixtures, such as return jets, etc.? Thanks!

 

[splashpad]

As far as increasing the FC... I'm following the PoolMath recommendation for my CYA (30). Is that not correct?

This part is perfect. You are doing great. No need to increase chlorine levels above FC/12 especially in daytime, as the excess will be lost to sunlight, so no "extra" cleaning will occur.

 

[splashpad]

I have 3 Pentair light fixtures, which I scrubbed, but never tried to disassemble. Are you also talking about other fixtures, such as return jets, etc.? Thanks!

Do the lights "allow" water inside them? I believe most can be removed from the pool wall and placed up out of the pool water carefully, and usually have a cavity behind them that is often filled with "yuck". But again, posting pictures will help others chime in on the best way to clean around/behind them!
Yes, anything with a removable cover or open holes to the pool water should be examined/cleaned

 

[mknauss]

I have 3 Pentair light fixtures,

I suspect those are Globrites. About 2+inches in diameter. Those do not come out and algae will not grow behind them.

 

[Mdragger88]

Places algae hides —>
Literally any crevice like : Light niches, Jets (removable eyeballs) , skimmer doors, throats, weir doors (& their foam), ladder rails/rungs (these can hold quite a bit of nasty water), ladder cups, drain covers, waterfalls, etc. Run water features at least an hour every day while slamming or longer if gunk comes out.

 

[pool512]

Places algae hides —>
Literally any crevice like : Light niches, Jets (removable eyeballs) , skimmer doors, throats, weir doors (& their foam), ladder rails/rungs (these can hold quite a bit of nasty water), ladder cups, drain covers, waterfalls, etc. Run water features at least an hour every day while slamming or longer if gunk comes out.

Thanks for the advice. I got in and disassembled and scrubbed everything yesterday. The light niches (I have 3 large niches) were absolutely DISGUSTING... the slime that came out of each one was enough to cloud the whole pool (and made me want to get out as fast as possible), but I got the hose and a scrub brush in there and cleaned them out good. This all created a setback in the clarity, but I think I'm finally close now (I lost 1ppm FC overnight, and have 0.5 CC, so getting close after repeated vacuuming cycles).

One more question... I pulled some gunk out of the old Polaris connector, which got me thinking... that's capped on the equipment side (replaced with robot cleaner), but the connector is still open on the pool side (and the pipe would still be full of water which never flows anymore). Should this be capped off on the pool side, to prevent the water sitting still and possible growing algae?

Thanks again!

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes - cap it if u can’t run water through it.

 

[splashpad]

Thanks for the advice. I got in and disassembled and scrubbed everything yesterday. The light niches (I have 3 large niches) were absolutely DISGUSTING... the slime that came out of each one was enough to cloud the whole pool (and made me want to get out as fast as possible), but I got the hose and a scrub brush in there and cleaned them out good. This all created a setback in the clarity, but I think I'm finally close now (I lost 1ppm FC overnight, and have 0.5 CC, so getting close after repeated vacuuming cycles).

One more question... I pulled some gunk out of the old Polaris connector, which got me thinking... that's capped on the equipment side (replaced with robot cleaner), but the connector is still open on the pool side (and the pipe would still be full of water which never flows anymore). Should this be capped off on the pool side, to prevent the water sitting still and possible growing algae?

Thanks again!

Awesome! Now you'll see some huge progress! I would stick a garden hose in there to flush it out and then seal/cap it to prevent future issues.