Mustard algae control

banjomarsh

Bronze Supporter
Aug 4, 2010
34
Pekin, Illinois
I have kept my FC between 8 and 12 for the last 7 weeks with a CYA of 35 to 40. Water is clear and sparkles, no strong odor and no complaints from anyone using the pool. The mustard algae never goes away, always green dust at seams and wrinkles and especially under the steps into the pool. Brush and vacuum at least 3 times a week. Keeping the FC at these higher levels doesn't really take much more liquid CL2 (12%) than maintaining a level of 4 to 5. I have not SLAMed since early July when the mustard first got out of control and the water was cloudy. The Jack's Magic fiber filter aid also helped immensely. I am back to only running the filter 10 to 12 hours a day instead of 24/7. Conclusion: Mustard algae will always be there but next year I will maintain the higher FC level right from opening.
 
Keeping the FC at these higher levels doesn't really take much more liquid CL2 (12%) than maintaining a level of 4 to 5.
I KNOW !!!!! It takes very little and pays off in spades.

I'm leary right now for algae at out latitude. I have a bunch of pollen like crud in my pool from whatever last hurrah the environment is shedding.

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see which it is. Or SLAM Process and possibly pass the next day if it's environmental. Either way, prove it and don't let it fester all winter.
 
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If you’re seeing algae its
SLAM Process time.
After passing ALL 3 end of slam criteria you then go to Mustard algae slam level & do all the protocols for 24 hours
& maintain MA minimum for some time afterwards if you’re reasonably certain it was mustard algae in the first place.
 
I did the SLAM for 8 days straight at the end of June. The CC was always 0.5 or 0.0(still is). Overnite CL2 loss was only 1 to 2 so after the water clearing and running the filter 24/7, I allowed the FC to drop from 17-18 down to 10 and strive to maintain it at that level. Historically, pool closure has been the 10th and 15th of September due lack of use, much cooler water and leaf drop. If the water is clear and sparkling when I close, it is the same in May when I open and remains a TFP if I do my part. So I will maintain the pool in its current state until closure.
 
Overnite CL2 loss was only 1 to 2 so after the water clearing and running the filter 24/7, I allowed the FC to drop from 17-18 down to 10…
That means you stopped the SLAM too early. If the drop was more than 1ppm, there’s still algae in the water.
 
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