Is this algae or something else?
- Thread starter fitdocsr
- Start date
Mustard algae tends to grow on the shady sides of the pool. What you are seeing may be regular algae, or it could be pollen. Algae will feel slimy to the touch, pollen will feel powdery. Have you been testing the water regularly? If so has there been any change in chlorine consumption? Please post a complete set of test results and we will help you figure this out. Without a complete set of test results we are only guessing at what it could be.
Welcome to the forum 
You can also tell us how the algae/stuff acts.
If it is only on the floor, it can be pollen or algae.
If it is on the wall, it is algae.
Is it yellow or greenish/yellow? When you brush it does brush off easily and make a yellow dust?
Waiting for full set of water test results
You can also tell us how the algae/stuff acts.
If it is only on the floor, it can be pollen or algae.
If it is on the wall, it is algae.
Is it yellow or greenish/yellow? When you brush it does brush off easily and make a yellow dust?
Waiting for full set of water test results
Butterfly said:Welcome to the forum
You can also tell us how the algae/stuff acts.
If it is only on the floor, it can be pollen or algae. only on the floor
If it is on the wall, it is algae.
Is it yellow or greenish/yellow? When you brush it does brush off easily and make a yellow dust? greenish/yellow/grayish/brown LOL. brushes easily, i can actually just get close and the water moving causes it to make a dust, I'd say the dust could be yellow but id call it closer to brownish
Waiting for full set of water test results
I've got the SWCG set on 35% and according to the strips its around 5ppm FC everytime I check. I will post real test results as soon as I can!
Thank you!!!
Once you get the test kit an overnight chlorine loss test would be a good idea in addition to the standard set. It helps show whether there's organics in the pool which the chlorine is fighting.
pool-school/overnight_fc_test
pool-school/overnight_fc_test
Got the TF100 today and performed full set of tests. Will check in the morning to complete the OCLT.
Here are the numbers, cant wait to hear from you all:
Date 7/27/2011
FC 10.5
CC 1
TC high, Darker Yellow than anything on the block
pH 7.5
TA 130
CH 40
CYA 100
Temp 89
Here are the numbers, cant wait to hear from you all:
Date 7/27/2011
FC 10.5
CC 1
TC high, Darker Yellow than anything on the block
pH 7.5
TA 130
CH 40
CYA 100
Temp 89
Your CYA is very high (might actually be higher than 100, since that is the upper limit of test). I would suggest a partial drain to get ~70 ppm (for your swg) and refill before you go much farther. It is very hard to shock effectively at that high of a CYA (mustard algae shock will require at least 54 ppm 
) probably more since your CYA is probably even higher. By the way, normal shock level at 100 ppm CYA is ~25 ppm, so your FC is very low right now.
) probably more since your CYA is probably even higher. By the way, normal shock level at 100 ppm CYA is ~25 ppm, so your FC is very low right now.Ok, I went ahead and pumped off 1500 gallons tonight. Will do new tests in the morning when its back full.
After the partial water change ~1500 gallons. (48" down to 42" in 24' pool)
Date 7/28/2011
FC 7.5
CC 0
TC 7.5
pH 7.5
TA 80
CH 40
CYA 90
Temp 86
Salt 2600
Date 7/28/2011
FC 7.5
CC 0
TC 7.5
pH 7.5
TA 80
CH 40
CYA 90
Temp 86
Salt 2600
You made progress, but now is the time to get that CYA even lower. General guide for swg is 70-80 ppm CYA.
Should I be concerned about the low CH?
and am I right to assume that years of trichlor pucks caused cya to be so high?
and am I right to assume that years of trichlor pucks caused cya to be so high?
You will probably want to address the low CH.. use the pool calculator to determine what you need to add. With a vinyl liner, CH is not as important as it is for some of the other pool surfaces, but I understand if it's too low or way too high it can cause problems with other pool componants and your swg.
Yes, using pucks is certainly where your cya came from if you've never put any plain "stabilizer" in your pool before. Pucks either have cya "stabilizer" or calcium in them to make them safe to use. If you've used pucks for years, you're lucky that your cya wasn't higher requiring more draining.
Yes, using pucks is certainly where your cya came from if you've never put any plain "stabilizer" in your pool before. Pucks either have cya "stabilizer" or calcium in them to make them safe to use. If you've used pucks for years, you're lucky that your cya wasn't higher requiring more draining.
Minimum CH for a vinyl pool is 50, so your could come up a little. Check the salt levels for your SWG and make sure they did not drop too low. When you run the overnight test be sure to turn the SWG off!
Ive now changed atleast 2500 gallons and still cant get past 100 on the CYA test.
Draining more water right now.
Water bill is going to be crazy this month.
The Pool School is fantastic! I've learned more in a couple weeks than I have in years of trips to the pool store.
Anyway, Im on my way to a trouble free pool. I took out another 1500 gallons tonight which should total about 4000 gallons the last two days. Should be about 30%.
Hopefully I will see progress on my CYA test in the morning.
Draining more water right now.
Water bill is going to be crazy this month.
The Pool School is fantastic! I've learned more in a couple weeks than I have in years of trips to the pool store.
Anyway, Im on my way to a trouble free pool. I took out another 1500 gallons tonight which should total about 4000 gallons the last two days. Should be about 30%.
Hopefully I will see progress on my CYA test in the morning.
