Still cloudy after weeks of slaming

[tommyd901]

I have been following this site for a few years. This year I started off with a green pond, proceeded to SLAM and expected a couple of weeks until it cleared.

I am one month in and cannot clear the water. It is cloudy blue.

Last night numbers (right before SLAMing again)
AGP - 33ft round

FC: 7
CYA: 35
PH: 7.4
TA: 60

I brought the FC up to 14 at 8:30 pm. Checked the FC this morning at 7 am and it was reading exactly 14 - 0 loss overnight. I am using a Taylor K-2006 test kit.

I have vacuumed and swept, backwashed, and repeated. I know there could still be some debris (since I cant see the bottom), but in years past it would still clear up enough to see the bottom and then I could vacuum the specific areas.

I am thinking I need to replace the sand in the Swimpro filter, I did add some DE. I have a brand new 2 hp pump and I am hard piped.

What do you think?

Thanks
Tommy

 

[OTPirate]

The most common mistake people make is ending the SLAM before it is completed. Passing the OCLT shows that you are making progress, but to successfully complete the SLAM you need to pass all 3 criteria. There is no set time, you go until you have clear water, less than .5 CC, and pass an OCLT. You MUST pass all 3, not just have clear water. If it is still cloudy, you need to keep SLAMing. If you let your FC drop below SLAM levels it is like starting over. Good luck

 

[tommyd901]

Thanks for the comment. I have not stopped the SLAM but I did expect to start seeing clear water.

 

[dloki]

I was in a similar place as you after 2 weeks of SLAM at 16 FC with the CYA at 35 and the advice on the forum here was CYA test could be off by 10 so assume it is 50 and maintain a SLAM level of 20 FC. That worked for me and in 3 days I began to see vast improvement where as the previous 2 weeks were fairly static.