Here We Go Again - Perfect Chemical Balance + Algae

[Bperry]

I tested the water this morning, and the FC is still at 12. It actually sounds like I need to back off on the salt system run-time a bit. It's running for around 16 hours/day at 100%. The pump/filter is running 18 hours/day. I can't imagine I'm not getting enough turn-over. You'd think an FC of 12 alone would prevent algae, but what boggles me, is that I put a bottle of algaecide in the pool before we left last Sunday. By this past Friday, or even earlier perhaps, algae appeared. I didn't have time to brush the pool since we've returned, but did so this morning. There was more algae this morning than there was on Friday, so it's proliferating somehow.

If FC and the other chemical levels are OK, turn-over is OK and circulation is OK, and I took the extra step of adding algaecide, what's the missing link?

Certainly a mystery.

What kind of algaecide did you add? Seems like a potential likely suspect depending on what was in it.

 

[Seadweller]

Quick question- do you have a cover? If so was it in use?

No cover.....

Are you sure that your CYA isn't higher than 70?? When was the last time you checked?

Checked it right before we left on vacation.

What kind of algaecide did you add? Seems like a potential likely suspect depending on what was in it.

Suncoast "All in One Algaecide." I know Polyquat is the recommended product, but I had the Suncoast on hand. I just used it has an extra precaution.

 

[reggiehammond]

I find this to be key - especially when away from the pool for a week plus. Even though FC is maintained by my SWCG and doesnt appear to drop below minimum, if the pool is not disturbed at all (no swimming/brushing), algae will still take hold.

I don't think this is accurate. A properly sanitized pool with adequate circulation doesn't require swimming/brushing to keep algae at bay. If a pool is borderline on FC and has poor circulation, then perhaps, but not a proper TFP pool.

 

[Bperry]

No cover.....



Checked it right before we left on vacation.



Suncoast "All in One Algaecide." I know Polyquat is the recommended product, but I had the Suncoast on hand. I just used it has an extra precaution.

Looks like it’s labeled as “Poly” which is oxyethelene and ethylene dichloride. Don’t know what that is but it’s also listed as a clarifier and says heavy algae growth needs to be removed before use. Would be interesting to know if that affects chlorine levels.

 

[PieterS]

I don't think this is accurate. A properly sanitized pool with adequate circulation doesn't require swimming/brushing to keep algae at bay. If a pool is borderline on FC and has poor circulation, then perhaps, but not a proper TFP pool.

Probably a fair point. I would add that my Intex AGP with barely adequate sand filter probably suffers from borderline circulation

 

[Seadweller]

Quick update on the situation. I brushed the entire pool this past weekend with the intention of going through the SLAM process starting this past Monday, but of course life got in the way and I was unable to perform the procedure. Oddly enough, the algae has not reappeared. After the brushing, it seems to have vanished as mysteriously as it appeared. Hopefully that's my last bout with it this summer!

Thanks everyone for the invaluable input!

 

[Mdragger88]

Quick update on the situation. I brushed the entire pool this past weekend with the intention of going through the SLAM process starting this past Monday, but of course life got in the way and I was unable to perform the procedure. Oddly enough, the algae has not reappeared. After the brushing, it seems to have vanished as mysteriously as it appeared. Hopefully that's my last bout with it this summer!

Thanks everyone for the invaluable input!

Do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure!

 

[duraleigh]

You have not included test results to prove you are done nor have you done a SLAM correctly.

Sorry, but doing the same thing over and over will get you the same results, SLAM your pool.

 

[RLP]

Algae can be invisible to the naked eye. As suggested above,do the OCLT.

 

[Seadweller]

I'll do an OCLT tonight.....