Is that Algae?

[Clem116]

Hi all!

I find this at the bottom of my pool is this algae building?

 

[Texas Splash]

is this algae

I don't think so. Algae is typically much more fluffy and susceptible to falling apart. Those black things almost look like bugs or something solid. Are they? Can you pinch them between your thumb and index finger and do they retain their shape, or does that stuff just disintegrate?

 

[Clem116]

When I try to scoop it up it falls apart and disolves.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Did you fertilize your grass recently?

 

[Mdragger88]

It looks like the pod “skins” that fall around here. Not sure which tree they come from. They disintegrate after a while in the water.
Look around your yard.
Do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test @ target fc levels
FC/CYA Levels
to be sure nothing is brewing after you clean/vac everything out.

 

[Clem116]

Did you fertilize your grass recently?

I have a company that does come once a month but they haven't come since I put the pool up a couple of weeks ago.

It looks like the pod “skins” that fall around here. Not sure which tree they come from. They disintegrate after a while in the water.
Look around your yard.
Do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test @ target fc levels
FC/CYA Levels
to be sure nothing is brewing after you clean/vac everything out.

What do you mean pod skins?

 

[Mdragger88]

I have a company that does come once a month but they haven't come since I put the pool up a couple of weeks ago.



What do you mean pod skins?

Some kind of seed/flower pod that falls- they have skin that comes off - when it stops raining i will go get some off my pool cover & post a picture- they clog up my cover pump on the regular

 

[Clem116]

I feel like it gets in the liners where two pieces of liners come together, especially in the borders.

Should I be worried? My pool is well-balanced.

 

[Clem116]

 

[Mdragger88]

My pool is well-balanced

Do you have test results from a taylor k2006 or tf100?
Fc
Cc
Ph
Ta
Ch
Cya?
If fc has fallen below minimum for your cya at any time the potential for algae is there.
FC/CYA Levels

 

[Mdragger88]

Those seam flaps require frequent care (scrubbing) along with ensuring adequate fc levels. I used to use a broom.
Algae poofs when brushed while dirt/debris will resettle fairly quickly. Algae is slimy & will smear when wiped.
Once algae occurs it takes the
SLAM Process to overcome- target fc levels won’t cut it.

 

[Clem116]

Here is my last report from yesterday…I have been a bit low on chlorine so I am boosting the swg.

 

[Clem116]

Those seam flaps require frequent care (scrubbing) along with ensuring adequate fc levels. I used to use a broom.
Algae poofs when brushed while dirt/debris will resettle fairly quickly. Algae is slimy & will smear when wiped.
Once algae occurs it takes the
SLAM Process to overcome- target fc levels won’t cut it.

My pool store said it wasn't algae but I want to be sure.

 

[Clem116]

Those seam flaps require frequent care (scrubbing) along with ensuring adequate fc levels. I used to use a broom.
Algae poofs when brushed while dirt/debris will resettle fairly quickly. Algae is slimy & will smear when wiped.
Once algae occurs it takes the
SLAM Process to overcome- target fc levels won’t cut it.

Got it, will brush those more often! Also, I see that some seam flaps are out a bit not completely flat. Is that ok or does it mean it's coming apart and breaking? (Pool is brand new)

Also just checked and once I caught that stuff at the bottom of the net it doesn't smear or break when I touch it. Good sign that it's not algae, correct?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Here is my last report from yesterday…I have been a bit low on chlorine so I am boosting the swg.

You are not going to have a good time if you are mixing pool store advice and advice on this forum. The basic differences are:
- TFP recommends specific test kits that cover the required tests for a pool owner, and do not need to be calibrated. Pool store tests are unreliable and can be all over the place in our experience.
- TFP uses the FC (Free Clorine) to CYA ratio when recommending a chlorine level. For a CYA of 90 from your pool store test, your target FC is 6-12 and the bare minimum is 4. You are currently at 1. Pool stores use an older recommendation that was developed before CYA was added to pools.
- Generally speaking pool stores will recommend a lower FC amount.

 

[Mdragger88]

You really need your own test kit to adequately manage your pool on a daily basis & keep it sanitary. Relying on poolstore testing is not recommended for various reasons.
Test Kits Compared
If you’re cya really is 90 the lowest your fc should ever be is 4ppm lest nasties will grow.
See —> FC/CYA Levels
Dose with liquid chlorine asap to get into target range for your cya (6-12ppm). Do not wait for the swg. They are meant to simply be maintainers. They take too long to produce fc. This is true any time you find the swg not keeping up.
Use
PoolMath to calculate amounts.
A swg will not overcome an algae problem.
You have a very small pool so if you have an algae problem it may be simpler & more cost effective to drain, scrub & begin again.
Here’s the guide for temporary/small pools.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.google.com

 

[Mdragger88]

 

[Clem116]

Thanks! I bought a test kit on Amazon but not one that tests EVERYTHING. I got this one...Lupo 3-in-1 Water Test Kit for Swimming Pools & Spas. Is that too basic?

Also, how do I get my CYA number? From a more advanced test kit?

So I should not trust my pool store and just do my own?

Again I am new to all this, thanks for the kind help. PS: I really don't think it's algae as it doesn't smear.

 

[mknauss]

Read the seasonal pool article linked above. If you wish to follow that, you will likely drain and refill your pool multiple times each season. Or get a proper test kit.

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks! I bought a test kit on Amazon but not one that tests EVERYTHING. I got this one...Lupo 3-in-1 Water Test Kit for Swimming Pools & Spas. Is that too basic?

That’s fine for quick daily total chlorine (fc+cc)checks up to 5ppm although its not very accurate, its more of a “do I have any chlorine or not?” Kinda test
The ph test is ok.

Also, how do I get my CYA number? From a more advanced test kit?

Yes- the tf100 or Taylor k2006 contain the cya test (enough to do 15+ tests) & the all important fas/dpd kit which tests fc (good stuff) & cc (bad stuff) separately up to 50ppm

So I should not trust my pool store and just do my own?

Bingo! If stored properly the reagents in your kit should last 2 years (some longer than that). The tf100 is the best value as buying the individual tests would cost more$ - the reagents can all be purchased separately as you use them up so you don’t have to buy a whole new kit later, just refills.

Again I am new to all this, thanks for the kind help. PS: I really don't think it's algae as it doesn't smear.

That’s a good sign. But doing an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test will actually confirm or deny that.