Trying to get my pool clear. Using SLAM method to the best of my ability lol.

[Nicholasholmes424]

I am attempting get my pool clear I'm a first-time pool owner it came with the house I just purchased. It had tons of leave pine straw and green algae in it actually two 55 gallon trash cans full. It's about 85 to 95% clear of leaves and straw but there are two branches in the 9ft from where we had trees cut down and they fell in and I can't see anything because it is very very clouded. It is a proximately 30,000 gallons with a sand filter system. Here are my test results as of today and some in the past you can see the dates and my progess on how I have been treating the water.

 

[Mdragger88]

Welcome to TFP Nicholas
You will find our prescription is a bit different from theirs. We call them guess strips for a reason. They aren’t very accurate. You’re better off tasting the water to determine the levels.
To clear your swamp & successfully complete the SLAM Process you need your own accurate, reliable drop based test kit - a Taylor k2006c (available on Amazon etc.) or Tf-100xl from www.tftestkits.net
Without one you are flying blind & wasting $$ in the process.
The slam process requires that you test & replenish fc multiple times per day based on your cya level.
This alone makes relying on pool store testing impractical. We won’t get into the questionable accuracy. At higher levels of fc strips can be bleached out so they’re pretty much a wash.

Until your kit comes in you can add 5ppm worth of liquid chlorine/bleach daily to prevent it from getting worse until u are able to truly proceed w/ slam.
Use PoolMath to calculate amounts.
When your kit comes in , run all the tests & report back. We can go from there.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Hello I am currently slamming my pool using TFP method but I'm using Calcium Hypochlorite . I have a CYA of 40 and have been maintaining 16 ppm. I check the chlorine levels every 3 hrs. My pool was clear but I didn't check levels for 3 days and I turned cloudy. My CC was .3 and I started the slam process yesterday. My test results before starting slam were CYA 40. FC 0, CC 0, PH 7.6, TA 80, CH 400.
This morning CYA 40, FC 16, CH 450 didn't check other levels. Should I switch to liquid chlorine or can I use what I have? Picture are what it looked like when I started. After it was cleared up and now really cloudy. Have been slamming for 24 approximately. We have used the pool as it was clear for over 2 weeks until I didn't check levels for 4 days and it turn cloudy. Used floc the first time and vacuumed after slamming for almost 2 weeks to get rid of cloudy. Don't want to do that again if possible. Help please.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Thank you I have added a new thread and need help

 

[Mdragger88]

Thank you I have added a new thread and need help

Its best to keep it all in the same thread as its the same problem.
Did u get a test kit in ? If so, which one?

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

2005 Taylor and I'm new and learning how to navigate

 

[Mdragger88]

Updating your signature helps us help u accurately.
Your ch is high as your results show in your other thread- calcium hypochlorite will only add to that problem & can cause scaling when csi is too high.
The SLAM Process should be done with liquid chlorine.
The k 2005 only tests fc to 10ppm as it includes dpd only.
The recommended k2006 or tf100 includes the all important fas/dpd fc & cc tests that test up to 50ppm.
Which is imperative to perform the SLAM process.
The fas/dpd portion can be added to your k2005 to essentially make it a k2006
Here

FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit

tftestkits.net

Or here
Taylor K1515A Drop Test Swimming Pool Free & Combined Chlorine FAS DPD Test Kit https://a.co/d/eUEmdPD

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Ok I just ordered that test kit addition. What do I do until it arrives.

 

[Mdragger88]

You are kinda handcuffed w/ the 10ppm limitation - you can dose to 16ppm but u can’t confirm u made it there. This means u can’t really Maintain which is the staple of the S)hock L)evel A)nd M)aintain.
All u can do is wait until fc falls to 10ppm & dose to 16ppm again. This is the only safe way to proceed to prevent damage to surfaces & equipment.
Also note that the ph test is invalid at fc levels above 10ppm which is why it should be adjusted Before beginning SLAM Process.
During slam focus testing only fc & cc.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Can I use regular strength bleach? The poolstore doesn't have liquid SMH.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

The test say to use half pool water and half tap to test at higher levels and multiple the results times 2. That's how I have been maintaining the 16ppm

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

4.5 pool water 4.5 tap water and multiply total times 2

 

[Mdragger88]

Can I use regular strength bleach? The poolstore doesn't have liquid SMH.

Be sure it is PLAIN- no scented, no splashless, no cloromax or fabric protection. In PoolMath be sure to select the percentage for what u have. Most household bleach is 6%
Also check dates on any bleach or liquid chlorine u buy

Chlorine Date Code Decoder - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Home Depot, lowes, menards, ace hardware & Walmart have 10% liquid chlorine in the pool area- it is free of additives

 

[Mdragger88]

4.5 pool water 4.5 tap water and multiply total times 2

You can do this but it dilutes the accuracy as well. Only in a pinch until your fas/dpd comes.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Ok thanks and backwash how often. Once of 2 twice a day?

 

[Mdragger88]

Ok thanks and backwash how often. Once of 2 twice a day?

Backwash when pressure rises 25% over clean pressure.
Brush & or vacuum daily
Scrub any nooks & crannies where algae may hide - ladders (handrails can hold water), steps,weir doors, skimmers, light niches, drain covers, umbrella cups etc. Run any water features or stagnant lines for at least an hour every day of slam.

 

[Mdragger88]

The idea is to keep fc at the appropriate slam level for your cya as much as possible. Every hour below slam level, algae regains a bit of a foothold so fc too low doesn’t do the trick but dosing too high just wastes extra chlorine to the sun & risks damage to surfaces, equipment and swimmers.

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

Ok impatient wife had me floc the pool. I just finished vacuuming everything out to waste and now these are my levels. I have a 29,000 gallon pool with a Hayward S244T pool pump. 4 returns 2 skimmers and a floor drain in the 9ft which is on with the skimmers for circulation. Using FAS-DPD FC 2, PH 7.5, TA 150, CH 450, CYA 30. What do I do now? Trying to put all info I to the pool math calculator and it's saying things I don't understand. My other app says I'm fine. Pics below.

 

[Mdragger88]

You follow the SLAM Process until u meet ALL 3 end of slam criteria to ensure u have eradicated the algae.
You are done when:

CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
the water is clear. (Crystal Clear)

Swich the slider on the fc box to Slam on PoolMath
The other app that says your “fine” isn’t based on tfp protocols. It obviously doesn’t recognize the fc/cya relationship.FC/CYA Levels

If u do not finish the slam process the algae & cloudy water it creates will return in short order. The floc is a bandaid for the symptom (cloudy water) not a cure for the problem (algae).

 

[Nicholasholmes424]

So go back to slam even though the water is clear