The cloudy blue

[88Fluffhead]

Hey all, first post and I been lurking a bit. Usual first post - I’ve been “Leslie’d” and “done by my own good”- if you will- but I now am a student in the art of SLAM and am preparing my first process of SLAM. I am happy to be apart of the dojo.

The gist of this story is the usual: had green water, I used the pool store advice and stuff and have had a blue cloud for about 10 days.

I decided to drain about 60/70% and SLAM as my CYA was a bit too high and was hoping to combat the haziness a bit and do believe I am fighting something organic in my water as it is still cloudy and blue, I can barely see the bottom at all. My Taylor 2006-K comes tonight but I stopped by Leslie’s about 15 mins ago just to see where I’m currently at:

Todays numbers read after the drain and fill:

FC: 0.93
TC: 1.52
Ph: 7.4
Alk: 68
Hardness: 97
CYA: 26

Any advice on these levels before I start the SLAM? Going to try and get that CYA above 30 when I get home today.

TIA and I appreciate all you Pool Gurus here making this place the true answer.

 

[RickRude]

The advice right now is: add 5 ppm worth of bleach/liquid chlorine per day until you get your Taylor kit. Do not start your SLAM, and do not add CYA or anything else, based on pool store testing. Once you get your kit and run your own tests, post those numbers and we'll go from there.

 

[88Fluffhead]

We are full on slammed first 24 hours down, Taylor K-2006 arrived last night and was pretty much on point with the pool store test. Current test yielded these results.

FC: 18
CC: .5
ALK: 80
CYA: 45

I’ve been dosing every 2 hours besides at night, hoping to dose more consistently through this evening but there are storms.

 

[RickRude]

If the CYA test reads between multiples of 10, you need to round up. So your 45 is 50, and your SLAM level is therefore 20. Other than that it sounds like you have the process under control. With some elbow grease and perseverance you'll have a clear pool.

 

[88Fluffhead]

If the CYA test reads between multiples of 10, you need to round up. So your 45 is 50, and your SLAM level is therefore 20. Other than that it sounds like you have the process under control. With some elbow grease and perseverance you'll have a clear pool.

Thank you for this tip, I appreciate this, I may have missed the round up detail in the directions. My apologies. Should I be adjusting my CYA Measurement to reflect the 20 PPM FC SLAM recommendation?

 

[RickRude]

Thank you for this tip, I appreciate this, I may have missed the round up detail in the directions. My apologies. Should I be adjusting my CYA Measurement to reflect the 20 PPM FC SLAM recommendation?

No need for apologies! I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Where you log test results in PoolMath, log your CYA as 50 instead of 45. That way PoolMath will always recommend a FC level appropriate for 50 ppm CYA

 

[88Fluffhead]

No need for apologies! I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Where you log test results in PoolMath, log your CYA as 50 instead of 45. That way PoolMath will always recommend a FC level appropriate for 50 ppm CYA

That is a much more concise means of what I was saying! Haha thank you again!

 

[88Fluffhead]

Into the 2nd day of SLAM.

Lost a few PPM last night in FC as I was at 14.5 this morning but CC is still at .5. The battle rages on.

 

[88Fluffhead]

I ran out of R-0871 like a rookie, can’t get more until tomorrow or Friday. What should I do ? Is the SLAM a wash at this point now? Last recording reading was 20 FC , 80 ALK , 50 CYA, CC somewhere between .5-1 this morning. Still blue and cloudy.

 

[PoolStored]

Add 5ppm of chlorine per day, continue slam when reagent comes in…

 

[88Fluffhead]

Add 5ppm of chlorine per day, continue slam when reagent comes in…

Forgive my ignorance, would it be smart to go over or keep it at 5ppm added per day. Appreciate the time and answers thank you again

 

[PoolStored]

No, 5ppm will keep the pool stable. You can take it up to slam right when you ran out, then 5ppm per day.

 

[wayner]

How did your CYA go from 26 on Monday to 45 on Tuesday? It sounds like you didn't add CYA. Variability in testing?

I personally find that the CYA test is VERY inaccurate. When does the black dot actually disappear? It is hard to say.

 

[88Fluffhead]

How did your CYA go from 26 on Monday to 45 on Tuesday? It sounds like you didn't add CYA. Variability in testing?

I personally find that the CYA test is VERY inaccurate. When does the black dot actually disappear? It is hard to say.

I did add conditioner before the process because I was below 30 ppm as per SLAM recommendations.

 

[88Fluffhead]

Starting to see the bottom more and more everyday, also my replacement R0871 bottle came, so I’ll be doing the labs today when I’m back home. Pool is looking great thanks to the SLAM and advice here.

 

[RickRude]

Dont forget to watch your filter pressure and clean if the pressure rises 25% above baseline (as described in SLAM Process)
. Your pool is on the smaller side so your filter/cartridge is likely quite small too.

 

[88Fluffhead]

Dont forget to watch your filter pressure and clean if the pressure rises 25% above baseline (as described in SLAM Process)
. Your pool is on the smaller side so your filter/cartridge is likely quite small too.

For sure, it does about 1500 gal/hr but I do have the upgraded CP2000 that does 2000/hr. Only catch is it took a Crud on me about a week in so I’m stuck with the 1500. Been cleaning the filter every day to make sure it’s working right. Going to perform an OCLT tonight and see how we are doing. As of right now <.5 CC with 17 FC, 90 ALK and 40 CYA

 

[PoolStored]

Even if you pass oclt, don't stop slam until the pool looks like one of these pools...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

 

[88Fluffhead]

@PoolStored thanks so much for the guidance. This pool likes like a clear sheet of ice ice baby. Just got back from a short two day trip and it’s doing fantastic.