We started our first slam 10 days ago. The water was clear then but we had .5 cc's. The cc's went away right away and the water is still clear but we haven't been able to pass the overnight chlorine loss test. In fact, it's getting worse. Most days we have lost 1.5 overnight but last night it was up to 5.5. Are we doing something wrong or should we just keep going? Thank you!
So frustrated with SLAM
- Thread starter pool123*
- Start date
You need to get into all the nooks and crannys where algae can hide and make sure those areas are clean. Ladders, light niches, etc. Scrub everything down and also make sure you are brushing the walls and floor each day. Keep at the SLAM. Also, it may not hurt to verify your CYA to ensure that you are using the proper SLAM FC level.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,908
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Some questions that may help us further:
- Was your pool closed over the winter? If so, what chemicals were added at closing (antifreeze, algaecide (which type?), any other products)?
- What chlorine product are you using during the SLAM Process
- Poolmath test results are not linked to your profile. Can you post your current FC and CYA?
- Any other products added to the water since opening?
- Was your pool closed over the winter? If so, what chemicals were added at closing (antifreeze, algaecide (which type?), any other products)?
- What chlorine product are you using during the SLAM Process
- Poolmath test results are not linked to your profile. Can you post your current FC and CYA?
- Any other products added to the water since opening?
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Light niches are the ones that often get overlooked. Partially because it involves a screw driver to get to it and this time of year, no one want to get in the pool with the water is still FREEZING! 
That and water features.. what there's bugs in my waterfall! yup!
That and water features.. what there's bugs in my waterfall! yup!The pool was closed over the winter but unfortunately I have no idea what was added at closing. Our pool was just completed last May and the first closing was included in our contract price and we foolishly let the pool company do their thing. We are using Kemtek. The FC as of this am was 19.5 and CYA before starting the slam was 50 (if I measured correctly- that one's a little tough!). We haven't added anything else since opening and I think the pool company that opened for us only used granulated chlorine to attach some leaf stains.
I think we'd probably have a heart attack if we got in that water! Is it hard to open them up though? We have never done it and I have no idea.Light niches are the ones that often get overlooked. Partially because it involves a screw driver to get to it and this time of year, no one want to get in the pool with the water is still FREEZING!
Thank you. My husband is brushing and vacuuming every day and has cleaned all visible areas. Maybe the lights are the problem. So if I wanted to verify my CYA can that be done with the high chlorine that's in it now?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,908
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
It's possible some residual winter products added by the pool maintenance company are influencing your FC readings. If they are, the process is still the same - SLAM and patience. The light might be an issue, but in a pool so new, it should not have much in it. But still worth checking. Same for a main drain if you have one. Pull the cover and inspect for junk underneath (pump OFF first for safety).
Be careful with the FC testing as consistency is everything. Pull water samples from the same area, and use the 10 ML water sample size: 10 ML water sample, one generous scoop of powder, then count drops from pink to clear and divide in half. Example - 36 drops equals and FC of 18.
Be careful with the FC testing as consistency is everything. Pull water samples from the same area, and use the 10 ML water sample size: 10 ML water sample, one generous scoop of powder, then count drops from pink to clear and divide in half. Example - 36 drops equals and FC of 18.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
No its not hard.. and depends on what kind of light niche you have. Its typically one screw and some have the wire coiled up around the light enclosure.. so just pay attention to how its done when you take it apart so you can put it back together.
Thank you. We have a local relative who scuba dives so maybe we can convince him to check the lights/drain out for us.
I didn't realize we needed to be pulling the water from the same spot. Sometimes my husband gets it and sometimes I do so we may not be getting the samples from the same place. We will do that now and keep at it. Thank you!
LooLooPoolNoob
Well-known member
A good thing to keep in mind too is that colder temperatures slow how your chlorine works, everything slows down just a little bit. I hope you stick with it I'm sure it'll clear up!
Thanks. We will keep going. My husband has been wanting to quit ("the water is clear so why can't we stop?") and I've been resisting so all of your support will help us stay the course. I just hope it clears soon because we are so exhausted from getting up every day before the sun rises to test the chlorine.
You might post your test results and list type of pool etc. losing 5ppm chlorine overnight sounds like it’d be a swamp or there’s testing error.
P-o-P. Pool owner patience. Resist the urge to overreact and over correct.
Stay the course. You’re doin AWESOME
Pick a spot far from any returnns... consider where you think the lowest amount of chlorine would be? That's a good testing site.
Maddie
Maddie
LooLooPoolNoob
Well-known member
Oh I so know what you mean, my husband is so convinced that tfp is crazy even though we got screwed over by the pool people. We literally got into a fight over algaecide. Stay strong, the pool aid works, if you need any proof check out my thread from last year. Almost 20 days of slamming but that pool went from a literal muck pond to CrystalThanks. We will keep going. My husband has been wanting to quit ("the water is clear so why can't we stop?") and I've been resisting so all of your support will help us stay the course. I just hope it clears soon because we are so exhausted from getting up every day before the sun rises to test the chlorine.
That is very encouraging! We have had similar fights.
I think he just doesn't feel confident yet since the pool is new and its our first so he's happy to listen to the local "experts". It's hard when the water looks good but I'm insisting there's still a problem.