The “SLAM” process is similar to “shocking” and is necessary when the chlorine level in the pool remains lower than required for a certain period of time, thus allowing algae to grow. It requires the use of a high concentration of liquid/powder chlorine to raise the chlorine level quickly.
Enter the SLAM method... SLAM stands for Sender, Links, Attachments, and Message. These four key pieces can help you spot a phishing email before you grab the hook. In this series, we'll break down the key components of this mnemonic device so you can use it out in the wild successfully.
Flocculant in the pool is used to maintain clear water by improving the quality of filtration when it is less efficient. It can be used as a preventive measure to maintain crystal-clear water, or as a curative measure when the water is cloudy, or as a complement to a chlorine-shock treatment to remove dead algae.
A good rule of thumb is 1 pound of shock for every 10,000 gallons of pool water. Always refer to the manufacturer's directions and instructions on the package for exact amounts.
No excuses. No shortcuts here. Test and adjust chlorine levels as frequently as practical, but not more than once per hour, and not less than twice a day.
Adjust your PH to a level between 7.2 and 7.5. To “SLAM” (Shock, Level, and Maintain), add the recommended amount of chlorine necessary to bring the FC to shock level.
Hot & Rainy Months: Weekly
During the hotter months of the year, or when the forecast shows a chance of rain, shock your pool weekly. These conditions can significantly increase the chance of algae growth, and a weekly dose of shock will help keep the green away.
Is it possible to shock your pool too much? Yes—excessive shocking of your pool will keep it at an elevated chlorine level. This will cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as excessive wear and tear on your pool filter system, including excessive corrosion of all metal parts.
Algaecides act as a backup to your normal sanitization program and prevent algae from starting and growing in the pool. Algaecide should be added after every shock treatment.
Raising pool chlorine can be much easier than trying to lower chlorine levels. Simply adding chlorine in the form of chlorine tablets, granular chlorine, liquid shock or powder shock will increase the total amount of chlorine within the pool.
It Should Not Be Done Together. While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless.
Assuming you have all the right equipment, the answer depends on how quickly you want your pool cleared, and how involved you want to be in the process. In general, pool owners with a D.E. or cartridge filter should use clarifiers, while pool owners with a sand filter can use either a clarifier or a flocculant.
What is a “flocculant” and why is it good for my swimming pool? A flocculant attracts tiny particles in the water together, to form a bigger particle. This helps the filter to catch the combined particles and your pool robot (cleaner) to pick them up.
Similarly to the STOP method, SLAM (Stop, Look, Assess, Manage) is a technique that workers should use when they feel they are at risk.
SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) is a method used for autonomous vehicles that lets you build a map and localize your vehicle in that map at the same time. SLAM algorithms allow the vehicle to map out unknown environments.
When algaecide treatments are applied incorrectly, one potential result is foaminess in the pool. Even high quality copper-based and silver-based algaecides will cause foamy pool water, if too much is applied.
Wait 24 to 48 hours after shocking your pool before introducing a flocculant.
If the pool water is hazy even after the pool shock, it is an indication of imbalanced levels of pH and total alkalinity. Usually the high level of pH causes calcium accumulation in the pool, affecting the clarity of the water. The high pH makes the water basic/alkaline and the low pH turns it acidic.
Turn on the Pool Pump (& Keep It Running)
A common mistake made when shocking a pool is forgetting to turn on the pool pump. Your pump is an important part of this process, as it helps disperse the pool shock across your water.
The acceptable range for pool water pH is 7.2-7.8, and the ideal pool pH is between 7.4 and 7.6. Water below a pH of 7.2 is too acidic, stinging your eyes, damaging pool liners and corroding equipment. Water above 7.8 is too alkaline and can cause skin irritation, cloudy water, and scale buildup.
Absolutely. Learn how to clean your swimming pool using bleach instead of traditional chlorine. Discover more ways to clean. Use as directed.