Just started SLAM #3 this season...what am I doing wrong?

[Jellwood]

@duraleigh ah! Yes that makes sense. Chlorine not filtration/circulation. Ok

See Photos attached. These are what the “dark blobs” look like on pool floor and then when I scoop them up. Is that not algae? It’s very slimy and gelatinous...

It has been an hour since I added gallon of 10% to go from 13-16. Am going to test again to see if it’s up to 16. Maybe my bleach is weak!?

 

[Jellwood]

Ok just tested. After 1 hour:
FC 17
CC 0
CYA 40

 

[duraleigh]

Hard to say if it's algae for sure (most likely) but the point is, it doesn't matter. It is organic material in your pool and it must be removed physically (as much as you can) and the smaller stuff killed with chlorine.

Stay the course.....especially tomorrow. suggest you re-read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School

 

[markayash]

I have never seen pool algae you can pick up in a net.

 

[Jellwood]

What’s also weird about the blobs is that they keep seemingly “appearing” out of nowhere. There’s no vegetation dropping into pool. The floor will be clean and then an hour later I see a few more blobs here and there. I hit the deep end ones with the brush to break them up and scoop the shallow end ones with the net.
Will reread ABCs!

 

[Jellwood]

I have never seen pool algae you can pick up in a net.

uh oh. What could it be? Like duraleigh said it doesn’t matter...chlorine should kill it...but I’m kinda freaked out now...are there any TFP slime experts out there who want to take a stab at it?

 

[markayash]

can you take them and pour chlorine on it and see what happens?

 

[markayash]

 

[Jellwood]

can you take them and pour chlorine on it and see what happens?

Yes will do and get right back to you.

 

[Jellwood]

Haha! Exactly. Just had to explain that movie to my teenage daughter.

 

[Jellwood]

Yes will do and get right back to you.

WELLLLL...I think we have a real mystery on our hands here.

I poured 10% right on them through the net and while the mini blobs disintegrated into green/ brown specks, they did NOT turn white (like the moss on the bricks I accidentally spilled on did!).

 

[markayash]

WELLLLL...I think we have a real mystery on our hands here.

I poured 10% right on them through the net and while the mini blobs disintegrated into green/ brown specks, they did NOT turn white (like the moss on the bricks I accidentally spilled on did!).

Any tree's close by?

 

[Jellwood]

Any tree's close by?

Yes and no. Two giant rhododendrons nearby, tall oaks, and lots of plantings. See pic

 

[markayash]

Maybe some of the folks here have an idea.

 

[Jellwood]

I’m wondering if there’s something gnarly living in my filter and coming back into the Pool through the returns. I backwashed and rinsed 3x and recharged with DE before I started my slam yesterday...could these mystery blobs survive that?

could I try running just on recirculate or something overnight and see if less appears? Or will that mess up my slam?

 

[Jellwood]

Maybe some of the folks here have an idea.

I was thinking of starting another “blob mystery” thread. Or is there a TFP slime expert?

 

[Jellwood]

Hard to say if it's algae for sure (most likely) but the point is, it doesn't matter. It is organic material in your pool and it must be removed physically (as much as you can) and the smaller stuff killed with chlorine.

Stay the course.....especially tomorrow. suggest you re-read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School

Hi duraleigh...just wanted to add that I poured 10% chlorine right on them and they did not turn white. The “jelly” that holds them together kind of disintegrated but that’s it!! What if the SLAM isn’t killing it?

 

[Jellwood]

Hi duraleigh...just wanted to add that I poured 10% chlorine right on them and they did not turn white. The “jelly” that holds them together kind of disintegrated but that’s it!! What if the SLAM isn’t killing it?

Good suggestion by @markayash!

 

[markayash]

I’m wondering if there’s something gnarly living in my filter and coming back into the Pool through the returns. I backwashed and rinsed 3x and recharged with DE before I started my slam yesterday...could these mystery blobs survive that?

could I try running just on recirculate or something overnight and see if less appears? Or will that mess up my slam?

I don't have a DE so not sure but can you take it apart and look?

 

[duraleigh]

What if the SLAM isn’t killing it?

Don't worry. Every newbie wants his pool to be the ONE pool in the universe that doesn't comply with the rules. Super algae strain that is immune from chlorine, virus escaped from the moon landing, etc., etc.

I have no idea why pouring chlorine on them would have any affect, anyway. What was the expected reaction?

Listen, I am sorry to be harsh but I am not a fan of disregarding VERY basic principals.......organic material cannot survive in a pool if the chlorine is adequate. Can things live in your filter? Somethings can but it's not algae.......it needs light. Stabbing theoretical guesses or just simply guessing is not really adhering to TFP principles.

SLAM your Pool
Finish the SLAM correctly
Go swimming