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SLAMing your pool is the best way to eliminate algae, sanitize your pool and get your water crystal clear. If you have algae, or the CC level is above 0.5, or the free chlorine (FC) level is zero, you should SLAM the pool. You cannot do this overnight\u2026it often takes several days to see it completed\u2026no shortcuts. If you are maintaining proper FC levels there is no need to SLAM (or shock) weekly, or on any other regular schedule.<\/p>\n
Prerequisites:
You need to have a FAS-DPD chlorine test preferably the powder version as it can test high ranges of chlorine in samples.
You also need to know your current CYA level, and then look up the corresponding FC shock level. You can use the Pool Math App to find the correct FC shock level for your CYA level.
It is best to use bleach or liquid chlorine when SLAMing. You will want to have enough on hand to raise the FC level to shock level at least a couple of times. It is especially important to avoid using dichlor when SLAMing, as it will raise CYA far too quickly. Calcium Hypochlorite can be used if done properly and carefully for certain pool types.
Make sure the pool is free of leaves and other debris (at least as much as possible).
Make sure your filter is working properly and you understand how to clean it out should it become necessary.
Check to ensure your Total Alkalinity level is between 70-100 to ensure pH is properly buffered through process. Check and adjust the PH to between 7.2 and 7.5. The PH & TA test isn\u2019t reliable during SLAMing so make sure to take care of this before you start.
Run the pump 24\/7 until you are done SLAMing. No excuses. No shortcuts here.
SLAM:
Test the FC level and add enough chlorine to bring FC up to shock level
Test and adjust chlorine levels as frequently as practical, but not more than once per hour, and not less than twice a day. Chlorine additions should be frequent, especially at the beginning. Algae and other organic debris will consume chlorine very rapidly at first. As things progress, you will lose less chlorine each cycle and can add chlorine less frequently.
Brush and vacuum the entire pool once a day. I would advise as much to waste as possible if the option is available to avoid clogging or constantly cleaning your filter. If you have a cartridge filter you are in for a fight as you will need to clean your cartridges. Regularly through this process and once heavily at the end. I suggest have two sets of cartridges. When you remove one to clean, you replace it with the other and allow the cleaning set to fully air dry then store. Then they will be ready for the next set. A clean filter is essential to the cleanup process.
Backwash or clean the filter as needed (as stated above take extra steps with cartridge, but also doing a de grid rinse at the end of the process if needed is not inadvisable if needed, as well as using a good sand filter cleaner\/ degreaser though the process to remove as much debris from a sand filter)
Vacuum up debris as needed. More likely than not there will be a fallout of dead algae at the end of this process. Like I stated above, I highly suggest vacuuming to waste as dead algae is thick and can clog filters. With some setups, mostly cartridge filters, this option isn\u2019t available. I highly suggest having a waste vacuum line installed for these situations in the future.
You are done when:
CC is 0.5 or lower
AND you pass an OCLT (i.e., overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less)
AND pool water is crystal clear with no visible sign of algae (dead or alive) on floor and walls
When all three are true, you are done SLAMing and can allow the FC to drift down to normal levels.<\/p>\n
Details:
It is very difficult to do this procedure correctly unless you are willing to do your own testing with a FAS-DPD chlorine test (included in the better test kits and also available separately). Without that specific test, you risk wasting your time and potentially having to start all over later.
SLAMing an outdoor pool is most effective when CYA is around 30 to 40. Below 30 you lose too much chlorine to sunlight. As CYA goes up, SLAMing requires more and more chlorine, which starts to get impractical around 80 or 90. With CYA above 90 we recommend replacing water to get CYA down before you start the SLAM process.
Depending on what kind of filter you have, it can take the filter a week or more to completely clear up the water, even after all of the algae is dead. DE filters are usually much faster than that, but require frequent attention when cleaning up algae. Sand filters are the slowest, and cartridge filters are somewhere in-between.
While SLAMing, the appearance of the water should improve each day, though perhaps only by a little. If you fail to see any improvement you might have a problem with your filter, or have a higher CYA level than you think, or bad circulation, or have some other more complex problem.
The goal of SLAMing is to add enough chlorine to oxidize all of the algae, combined chlorine, bacteria, viruses, ammonia, and other organic contaminates. Oxidization breaks down the organic molecules into smaller parts which are harmless. When SLAMing, you need to keep adding chlorine until the breakdown process is complete.
Higher FC levels will oxidize contaminates more quickly, but levels that are too high can cause damage to the pool or the pool equipment. Recommended shock levels are designed to break down contaminates reasonably quickly while posing minimal risk to the pool. It is impossible to know in advance just how much chlorine will be required to SLAM the pool. Instead, chlorine is added to maintain shock level until testing shows that the process is complete.
If you have a salt water chlorine generator, chlorine tablet dispenser, injection pump, or Liquidator, you will still need to use another chlorine source for SLAMing. All of these devices are designed to add chlorine slowly and steadily over many hours. To kill algae or lower CC, you need to put in lots of chlorine all at once.
The best solution to this is simply shut off the SWG, Liquidator, injection pump, etc. and use liquid chlorine only for the duration of the SLAM.<\/p>\n
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Slam Process SLAMing your pool is the best way to eliminate algae, sanitize your pool and get your water crystal clear. If you have algae, or the CC level is above 0.5, or the free chlorine (FC) level is zero, you should SLAM the pool. You cannot do this overnight\u2026it often takes several days to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
People often dream of having an endless summer. But the reality is that ever-rising temperatures can make fun in the sun a challenge. As the unrelenting sun shines down on your backyard, the importance of preparation in the face of extreme temperatures has never been higher. That said, the ruthless summer sun doesn\u2019t need to ruin your next pool party. With a few simple precautions, you can stay safe and keep on swimming through all the toasty weeks to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Extreme heat can negatively impact your pool chemistry if left unattended. When the ultraviolet rays of the sun hit your water, they break apart the hypochlorite ions created by chlorine and release chlorine gas into the air. Sunlight alone can reduce the chlorine level of your pool by up to 90% in just a few hours! Most professionals recommend using a chlorine stabilizer<\/a><\/strong> to extend the life of your chlorine and stave off the effects of UV rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BONUS TIP: To see if you need more stabilizers or conditioners in your pool, test the water for Cyanuric Acid (CYA)<\/a>. Levels should stay between 30\u201350 ppm for optimal chlorine performance in a chlorine pool.<\/em> <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n In addition to the sun\u2019s UV rays, rising temperatures also have a profound effect on pool chemistry. Extreme heat leads to chlorine getting used up faster, which can cause unsanitary and unsafe swimming conditions. Because it\u2019s easier for algae and bacteria to grow in warmer environments, chlorine levels can drop quickly, as it works to fight off living contaminants in the water. Left unchecked, low chlorine levels can quickly lead to murky, filthy water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During periods of extreme heat, it's important to test your pool water<\/strong><\/a> for Free Available Chlorine (FAC) levels on a regular basis. The ideal range for your FAC is between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm (parts per million). This number should stay close (if not identical) to Total Available Chlorine (TAC) levels. Should your FAC reading fall more than 0.3 ppm below the TAC level, or if the FAC level drops below the ideal range, it\u2019s important to shock the pool immediately<\/strong><\/a> to keep it clean, clear, and safe through the hot summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under extreme heat, your chlorine level isn't the only thing taking a beating. Rising temperatures leave you at risk of sunburn, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion! No pool party is worth risking your safety over, so take proper precautions before venturing outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First and foremost, recognize the signs that you might be experiencing heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is caused by your body overheating. It increases your heart rate, makes your skin dry to the touch, causes headaches, and can even induce nausea and vomiting. Heat exhaustion is similar, but the symptoms are markedly different. It causes a slower heart rate, heavy sweating, and clammy skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with most things, prevention is the best cure for heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Relax in shaded areas, drink plenty of water, and only wear lightweight clothing. If you or someone nearby appears to be experiencing heat exhaustion, move them into air conditioning, apply cold compresses or a cool cloth, and offer something to drink. If they're showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately, and move them somewhere cooler while you apply cold compresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dehydration is also a serious threat in the heat. It's best recognized by feelings of dizziness, fatigue, and extreme thirst. It\u2019s easy to forget to stop for a drink of water while having fun in the pool. But taking regular breaks to cool off and rehydrate will go a long way toward keeping you safe. Keep cold refreshments readily available, and stop for a drink every 20\u201330 minutes, minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You likely don\u2019t need to be reminded to use sunscreen to prevent sunburns in the summer. However, it\u2019s important to remember how often sunscreen needs to be applied. Even when the weather is cloudy, the risk of sunburn during periods of extreme heat is ever-present. Reapplying your sunscreen over the course of the day is a must! Sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time, and can wash off in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinking water and staying in the shade will keep you<\/em> cool. But did you know there are ways to cool down the swimming pool itself? The simplest, most cost-effective way to keep your pool a few degrees colder is to run your pump at night, when the air is cooler. The effect won\u2019t be drastic, but this should still make a noticeable difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another effective way to cool your pool is to install a reverse-cycle heat pump<\/a><\/strong>. That may sound counterintuitive, but many heat pumps have the power to run reverse cycles that take heat out<\/em> instead of only pumping it in. As such, a reverse-cycle heat pump is a great investment for both extreme heat and cooler weather. Once summer's over, it will extend the number of weeks you can comfortably swim in your pool. Similarly, dedicated pool coolers<\/a><\/strong> are also a great way to lower your water's temperature and give you perfectly chilled pool water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the most entertaining way to cool your pool in extreme heat is to install a waterfall or fountain. Adding a bit of air to your water and keeping it circulating can make a big difference in how refreshing your pool feels. Whether you install a fountain, a waterfall, or even a pool slide<\/a><\/strong>, it\u2019s hard to go wrong with any moving water features. Just keep in mind that moving, aerated water can increase evaporation, raise pH levels, and increase the rate of chlorine loss. Looking for more pool cooling tips? Check out our other blog post, How To Cool Your Pool in the Summer<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BONUS TIP:<\/strong> If you're not looking to make modifications or add equipment to the pool, just use a sprinkler<\/a><\/strong>. Place it by the pool edge to help with refill, or set it up in the yard for a different kind of play. Sprinklers are especially fun for young children and groups. All you have to do is connect a garden hose, and you're all set!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extreme heat can ruin your summer fun in a hurry. But with a few simple precautions, staying safe and cool in the pool has never been easier. Checking and adjusting the Free Available Chlorine levels in your water takes only a few minutes each day. Everyone should always use sunscreen and drink plenty of water, even while swimming in the pool. When temperatures rise to the extreme, it\u2019s possible to cool down the water itself and keep your swimming pool from becoming a hot tub. If you still need help beating the heat, stop by your local Leslie\u2019s<\/strong><\/a>. From chlorine and cooling options, to fun sprinklers and patio umbrellas, our pool solutions can help you spend less time worrying about the heat and more time making a splash!<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"948","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=98"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=98"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=98"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimnclean.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=98"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Summertime Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sunburns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cool Your Pool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beat the Heat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n