Fighting mustard algae

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stxpoolgirl said:
Yes it runs away.
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Keep slamming & brushing- the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test result is promising and shows progress but there’s a reason for the need to pass ALL 3 end of slam criteria. You don’t want it sorta gone - you want it gone gone! The other good news is that fc seems to be holding for longer now so it’s not as arduous to maintain slam level but don’t take your foot off the gas!
 
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Mdragger88 said:
Keep slamming & brushing- the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test result is promising and shows progress but there’s a reason for the need to pass ALL 3 end of slam criteria. You don’t want it sorta gone - you want it gone gone! The other good news is that fc seems to be holding for longer now so it’s not as arduous to maintain slam level but don’t take your foot off the gas!
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Ok! 🤞🤞🤞 fingers crossed.

Double checked the CYA, dot disseapears right before 30. So 30 is correct?
 
Mdragger88 said:
Not a total waste, Just not as efficient but you’re on track now 👍🏻 carry onward!
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Ok, I know this isn't "correct" but I'm seriously considering draining and refilling. It will cost max of $120 to refill and maybe $40 in chemicals to stabilize. I've spent way more than that in just the last few weeks trying to clear this up. My liner is barely 3 years old. Although it has been through the chemical ringer.

For real, please tell me why this is a bad idea. I could have had a clear pool weeks ago.
 

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Is this an inground pool or above ground? Draining/exchanging water can help lessen the organic load & help move things along more quickly but ALL 3 end of slam criteria still need to be met after refilling to be certain algae is eradicated or it will return as it is nearly impossible to completely drain a vinyl pool of all the water without risking the liner- some of the algae laden water will remain.
There are risks to draining a vinyl lined pool too far (all pools really)
👇

Draining - Further Reading

www.google.com www.google.com
 
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Mdragger88 said:
Is this an inground pool or above ground? Draining/exchanging water can help lessen the organic load & help move things along more quickly but ALL 3 end of slam criteria still need to be met after refilling to be certain algae is eradicated or it will return as it is nearly impossible to completely drain a vinyl pool of all the water without risking the liner- some of the algae laden water will remain.
There are risks to draining a vinyl lined pool too far (all pools really)
👇

Draining - Further Reading

www.google.com www.google.com
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It is an above ground pool that we buried about 2ft. Probably best to just keep the same course, because I do not want to have to replace my liner. I just keep looking over the fence at my neighbors perfectly clear pool and am so disappointed in mine.
 
Try not to beat yourself up on the whole thing. For many here at TFP this is a new world (pool care). You're learning not just the basics, but how to handle an algae crisis. One good things is that while our days are still hot, we are seeing cooler nights and mornings. My water temp has fallen by a few degrees, so that might also help you with maintaining chlorine. Hang in there, and focus on you (your pool) and don't worry about your neighbor. "Maintain > Inspect > Brush/vacuum > Repeat".

You'll get it. :goodjob:
 
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stxpoolgirl said:
It is an above ground pool that we buried about 2ft. Probably best to just keep the same course, because I do not want to have to replace my liner. I just keep looking over the fence at my neighbors perfectly clear pool and am so disappointed in mine.
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Being a buried above ground You should definitely not lower the water level lower than the ground level surrounding the pool if you do drain. With your new found slam level you should make more progress
 
Well, I have continued the fight and made minimal, if any, progress. I started pumping some water out in an attempt to suck some algae off the bottom. The plan is to replace some water and hope that helps clear it up.
 
stxpoolgirl said:
I have continued the fight and made minimal, if any, progress.
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That's disappointing to hear. :( We've had some pretty good weather around here lately, and I know my water temp has fallen by about 8 degrees as well. Just remember, if your testing (FC & CYA) are accurate, and you maintain the proper SLAM FC level, algae really can't survive. If algae keeps returning, you have to consider things like:
- Testing variances
- Hidden algae somewhere (skimmer, drain, ladder, steps, etc)
- Poor water circulation

Hang in there!
 
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Texas Splash said:
That's disappointing to hear. :( We've had some pretty good weather around here lately, and I know my water temp has fallen by about 8 degrees as well. Just remember, if your testing (FC & CYA) are accurate, and you maintain the proper SLAM FC level, algae really can't survive. If algae keeps returning, you have to consider things like:
- Testing variances
- Hidden algae somewhere (skimmer, drain, ladder, steps, etc)
- Poor water circulation

Hang in there!
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This is rough. I have been maintaining my levels as often as I can, with 3 kids and starting a business. 2x a day, brushing once for sure. It is getting slightly clearer and less bright green, but when I brush it is still kicking up algae. Cya is 30 after draining about 6" of water.
 
stxpoolgirl said:
And how do I clean the inside??
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If there is *ANY* way that you can check every two hours, this will go more quickly.

Also, with AGP, I'm assuming that you have a sand filter. Does it have the ability to backwash? Does it have a pressure indicator? If you can backwash, and it has a pressure indicator, then backwash. NOTE the clean pressure. Then when it gets to 25% higher, backwash again...this will help. (if clean pressure is 10psi, when it gets to 12.5/13, backwash again). You got this!
 
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PoolStored said:

If there is *ANY* way that you can check every two hours, this will go more quickly.

Also, with AGP, I'm assuming that you have a sand filter. Does it have the ability to backwash? Does it have a pressure indicator? If you can backwash, and it has a pressure indicator, then backwash. NOTE the clean pressure. Then when it gets to 25% higher, backwash again...this will help. (if clean pressure is 10psi, when it gets to 12.5/13, backwash again). You got this!
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Thank you! I can backwash the sand filter. It has not increased pressure in weeks. I have back washed a few times after I run the vacuum.
 
Without a doubt, only reaching slam level a couple times a day will really make things drag on especially if you’re still losing quite a bit of fc between doses. (You’re only logging your additions not your test results in poolmath so it’s hard to tell exactly what’s happening)
The general idea is that you want to kill algae faster than it proliferates not the other way around. Hitting it hard, every couple hours over the weekend is often enough to get the upper hand & then be able to move to dosing 3-4 x’s a day during the work week.
Also, Did you remove & clean the steps/ladder? Squirt bleach down in any unreachable areas of them. This is war! Take no prisoners 😁
With that much algae/lack of clarity it’s hard to believe your filter pressure hasn’t increased in weeks.
Are you certain your gauge works properly? When the pump is off it should go to zero.
A new gauge is about $12 at lowes.
Life can definitely get in the way of pool stuff sometimes, that’s ok 👍🏻 - make big strides when you’re able to make it a priority. If you hadn’t been maintaining like you have been you probably would be looking at a black swamp right now so kudos for keeping that at bay, now it’s time for the real push if you want to get it over with.
 

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