- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Stubbornly Cloudy Water
- Thread starter alex_t
- Start date
- Dose the pool to SLAM level of 10 ppm
- Do not add any CYA until chlorine begins to hold
- Test chlorine every 30 minutes until chlorine begins to hold. Add chlorine as needed to get back to 10 ppm. FC will likely test close to 0 until you get to the next step
- You will know when the chlorine begins to hold when you begin seeing FC testing > 3 ppm after 30 minutes.
These instructions are not clear to me. I am assuming a “SLAM” level is the same as a “Shock” level, which is the level of the FC. I see that I should add chlorine to get to 10 ppm, test it 30 minutes later, and it will likely test 0. At that point, I add the same amount of chlorine I did originally since i still need to raise it 10 units.
At some point, I will see the FC test at, say, 1 ppm. At that point, I only need to add enough chlorine to raise the FC 9 units. If it reads 2 ppm, then add enough to raise 8 units. Etc…
Again at some point, I may see the FC go from 3 ppm to like 8 ppm in consecutive 30 minute tests. At THAT point, I should add CYA to get to a 30 level.
Then, since the CYA is at 30, I should increase the FC level to 12 and keep it there until the SLAM process is complete.
Do I understand correctly?
If so, should I have the pH at 7.2 before I start this whole thing?
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Raise FC to 10ppm
Test in 30 minutes
If FC not >5, dose back to 10
Keep doing that until FC holds at >5 (indicates any ammonia is gone).
Once that happens, add CYA to attain 30 ppm
Add chlorine to SLAM Process level
Follow SLAM Process to the letter - no shortcuts.
I would lower the pH to 7.2 before starting any of the above.
Use PoolMath and PoolMath Effects of Adding to determine amount of chlorine or muriatic acid needed. Do not bother re-checking pH until SLAM Process is complete.
Consider ordering your own test kit and also new reagents for your friends test kit.
You will need your own test kit moving forward for normal testing.
Test in 30 minutes
If FC not >5, dose back to 10
Keep doing that until FC holds at >5 (indicates any ammonia is gone).
Once that happens, add CYA to attain 30 ppm
Add chlorine to SLAM Process level
Follow SLAM Process to the letter - no shortcuts.
I would lower the pH to 7.2 before starting any of the above.
Use PoolMath and PoolMath Effects of Adding to determine amount of chlorine or muriatic acid needed. Do not bother re-checking pH until SLAM Process is complete.
Consider ordering your own test kit and also new reagents for your friends test kit.
You will need your own test kit moving forward for normal testing.
my best advice is to skip ALL the ammonia testing and go straight to the SLAM instructions..... SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain It'll keep it all simpler.
All of that seems right to me. Also it doesn’t hurt if you go a little bit above the SLAM level. You’ve just wasted a little chlorine is all. Don’t worry if you push it a few points over.
Think of it like this. Chlorine kills algae but gets used up in the process. If you add some chlorine to your pool and then it reads zero shortly there after you can assume the chlorine you added killed something and got used up. It’s likely there’s more left to kill, otherwise you would get a little chlorine reading. So add more. It gets all consumed? There’s more algae to kill. Add more. Repeat.
Eventually you’ve killed almost everything and your chlorine level holds. Now you have to finish the job - like not stopping antibiotics when you feel better - finish off the remnant algae by keeping chlorine high for a few days.
You do an Oclt because sunlight also removes chlorine from your pool. By testing overnight your remove that variable from the equation. If you lose chlorine overnight you can assume it was algae that consumed it. Not the Sun.
Cya helps protect against that Chlorine loss from the Sun. The reason you’re in this mess is likely the low cya cause the Sun to keep lowering your chlorine levels enough that algae could form.
Side note: if your cya is too high it makes your chlorine less effective so you need to add more. That’s why you want it between 30-50. Higher levels of cya need higher levels of chlorine to keep sanitary. That’s what the below link is telling you in more details.
www.troublefreepool.com
Think of it like this. Chlorine kills algae but gets used up in the process. If you add some chlorine to your pool and then it reads zero shortly there after you can assume the chlorine you added killed something and got used up. It’s likely there’s more left to kill, otherwise you would get a little chlorine reading. So add more. It gets all consumed? There’s more algae to kill. Add more. Repeat.
Eventually you’ve killed almost everything and your chlorine level holds. Now you have to finish the job - like not stopping antibiotics when you feel better - finish off the remnant algae by keeping chlorine high for a few days.
You do an Oclt because sunlight also removes chlorine from your pool. By testing overnight your remove that variable from the equation. If you lose chlorine overnight you can assume it was algae that consumed it. Not the Sun.
Cya helps protect against that Chlorine loss from the Sun. The reason you’re in this mess is likely the low cya cause the Sun to keep lowering your chlorine levels enough that algae could form.
Side note: if your cya is too high it makes your chlorine less effective so you need to add more. That’s why you want it between 30-50. Higher levels of cya need higher levels of chlorine to keep sanitary. That’s what the below link is telling you in more details.
The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship
Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.
www.troublefreepool.com
How does the FC return to normal levels, is it just over time?
When is it safe to swim after slamming?
What content can you point me towards for maintaining safe, clear water after slamming?
When is it safe to swim after slamming?
What content can you point me towards for maintaining safe, clear water after slamming?
Sunlight will burn it off, so once you pass Oclt you’re good to let it come down.
It’s safe to swim at any level below the slam level for your cya.
The link above has a mode to see what fc to keep your pool at for normal operation based on your cya. If you keep your fc in the recommended zone based on your cya you’ll be good
. Read through pool school on this site to learn about the other chemicals and where to keep them.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The fc level will drop over time (probably fairly quickly/ few days due to the sun
)It is safe to swim with the fc level anywhere between minimum & slam level for your cya so long as you can see the bottom of deep end for swimmer safety.
Follow the
FC/CYA Levels - you want to aim for maintaining target
range fc for your cya to avoid flirting with minimum as dipping below minimum is flirting with algae & under sanitized water.
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
www.google.com
Basic Pool Care Schedule
This basic pool care schedule can guide you in creating your own pool care routine. Regular pool maintenance will keep your water sparkling!
www.troublefreepool.com
Pool Care Basics