Just can't get rid of the algae

[Snowshoe]

Sorry I've been out of touch lately but I appreciate all the advice. I don't see much choice other than to assume it's mustard algae and go about treating it like that. I'm in the middle of yet another SLAM now and will raise the FC level when it's complete. Should I disassemble my polaris 280 to scrub the insides or should it be sufficient to soak it in the bathtub at some specific FC level that is higher than the SLAM.

 

[Snowshoe]

There have been several recommendations about scrubbing every nook and cranny such as pool ladders, behind lights, etc. But there are all sorts of nooks and crannies in the pump/filter system which one can obviously not scrub so it seems if one were to make the case that scrubbing is necessary then it would then seem nearly impossible to rid the pool of algae. Wondering what the opinions here are about that contradiction.

 

[Bperry]

There have been several recommendations about scrubbing every nook and cranny such as pool ladders, behind lights, etc. But there are all sorts of nooks and crannies in the pump/filter system which one can obviously not scrub so it seems if one were to make the case that scrubbing is necessary then it would then seem nearly impossible to rid the pool of algae. Wondering what the opinions here are about that contradiction.

I’d focus more on stagnant areas of water that have algae in them. The pump has very little stagnant water in it and has constant chlorinated water passing through so it’s fine. Filters can be disassembled and cleaned fairly well.

Ladders, skimmer weir doors, pool covers, removable lights, overflow basins all can have algae hiding in them and scrubbing inside those things can help the chlorinated water get to the algae much faster than without scrubbing.

 

[Snowshoe]

I’d focus more on stagnant areas of water that have algae in them. The pump has very little stagnant water in it and has constant chlorinated water passing through so it’s fine. Filters can be disassembled and cleaned fairly well.

Ladders, skimmer weir doors, pool covers, removable lights, overflow basins all can have algae hiding in them and scrubbing inside those things can help the chlorinated water get to the algae much faster than without scrubbing.

Yeah that makes sense. It's just that the only other nooks and crannies I have is the pool sweep and light although I guess I should take out the weir door and clean in there even though there's lots of water flow through it. I'm not looking forward to removing the light as I'll have to go in my very cold pool. I need to see if I can find my 30 year old wetsuit.

 

[Bperry]

Yeah that makes sense. It's just that the only other nooks and crannies I have is the pool sweep and light although I guess I should take out the weir door and clean in there even though there's lots of water flow through it. I'm not looking forward to removing the light as I'll have to go in my very cold pool. I need to see if I can find my 30 year old wetsuit.

You should be able to take the light out from top of the deck, no need to swim. Should only be a single screw.

 

[Mdragger88]

The weir door usually has foam in it- the foam can be porous & collect algae. If your foam is removable (most is) take it out & check the back of it.
With the polaris/pressure side cleaners it’s usually the hoses that are the culprit since they ride on the water and don’t always completely fill. Removing them & submerging them in slam level water for a while should do the trick.
I have had algae grow on the top of a tab floater that had tabs in it! It didn’t get dunked enough I guess.
Show us a pic of your light for more guidance there- as mentioned most are designed to be removed from the deck (you usually have to lay down to accomplish this).

 

[Snowshoe]

The weir door usually has foam in it- the foam can be porous & collect algae. If your foam is removable (most is) take it out & check the back of it.
With the polaris/pressure side cleaners it’s usually the hoses that are the culprit since they ride on the water and don’t always completely fill. Removing them & submerging them in slam level water for a while should do the trick.
I have had algae grow on the top of a tab floater that had tabs in it! It didn’t get dunked enough I guess.
Show us a pic of your light for more guidance there- as mentioned most are designed to be removed from the deck (you usually have to lay down to accomplish this).

Good point about the weir door. I need to remove it and inspect. I'll take a picture but the light is probably about 3 or more feet below the surface and appears to have screws all around the bezel.

 

[Bperry]

Good point about the weir door. I need to remove it and inspect. I'll take a picture but the light is probably about 3 or more feet below the surface and appears to have screws all around the bezel.

If it’s that far down the pool installer needs a slap in th face. But sometimes the water makes it look deeper than it is. Unless it’s an oddball light there should only be one screw.

 

[Mdragger88]

There may be many screws but only 1 or two are for removing the light from the niche. The others may be attaching the niche to the pool.

 

[Snowshoe]

I finally got some time to investigate and you guys are right on both counts of course.

1. One screw removed the light.

When I pulled the light a bunch of stuff - looks like mostly plaster dust and pieces - came out when the light was pulled but I didn't see any algae come out. I can't really see inside the cutout but I'd like to scrub inside. Gasket was just caked with algae. Need to order a new one and do a lot of scrubbing/soaking.

2. The foam on the weir door has algae on it. Is there anywhere - like a HD or Lowes that has foam that I can cut to replace it or should I just order some.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

[Mdragger88]

They sell long bendable brushes or you can use something like this extendable adjustable swiffer handle that you may already own & wrap a rag around it / attach a bottle brush to it with a rubber band to scrub with

For the door foam just soak it in a dish/tupperware with bleach water 50/50 for a while then give it a scrub. You may be surprised how clean it comes.
They do sell foam at lowes/hd you would need to be sure to get the right thickness & be sure its not porous - others have done this.
If you know the make/model of your skimmer you may be able to buy the replacement foam. Some brands sell it separately & some it only comes with the door.

 

[Snowshoe]

They sell long bendable brushes or you can use something like this extendable adjustable swiffer handle that you may already own & wrap a rag around it / attach a bottle brush to it with a rubber band to scrub with
View attachment 540233
For the door foam just soak it in a dish/tupperware with bleach water 50/50 for a while then give it a scrub. You may be surprised how clean it comes.
They do sell foam at lowes/hd you would need to be sure to get the right thickness & be sure its not porous - others have done this.
If you know the make/model of your skimmer you may be able to buy the replacement foam. Some brands sell it separately & some it only comes with the door.

Ok thanks. If the foam isn't porous then I imagine soaking/scrubbing should do it. I just want to be sure.

How about the light gasket. The fixture is a Pentair 78448100 and the gasket has a 8 3/8" OD. Nothing on Amz comes up with the same P/N but the 8 3/8" diameter seems to be pretty standard. The Pentair P/N that seems to come up over and over is 79101600Z but it's still 8 3/8".

 

[Snowshoe]

They sell long bendable brushes or you can use something like this extendable adjustable swiffer handle that you may already own & wrap a rag around it / attach a bottle brush to it with a rubber band to scrub with
View attachment 540233
For the door foam just soak it in a dish/tupperware with bleach water 50/50 for a while then give it a scrub. You may be surprised how clean it comes.
They do sell foam at lowes/hd you would need to be sure to get the right thickness & be sure its not porous - others have done this.
If you know the make/model of your skimmer you may be able to buy the replacement foam. Some brands sell it separately & some it only comes with the door.

50/50 bleach/water - really? According to a calculator I found 1/4 TBSP of 10% chlorine in 2 gallons of water will give me a 50 ppm solution.
A 50/50 mix is somewhere around 50,000 ppm.

 

[Mdragger88]

50/50 bleach/water - really? According to a calculator I found 1/4 TBSP of 10% chlorine in 2 gallons of water will give me a 50 ppm solution.
A 50/50 mix is somewhere around 50,000 ppm.

You can certainly use less but that’s a common mix for algae covered pool stuffs -just rinse it well. For things that are removable & I can rinse outside of the pool I usually use clorox cleanup as its handy - i have no clue the strength.

 

[DavidLast]

When the algae returns how long are you running the pump and filter daily?

 

[Mdragger88]

How about the light gasket. The fixture is a Pentair 78448100 and the gasket has a 8 3/8" OD. Nothing on Amz comes up with the same P/N but the 8 3/8" diameter seems to be pretty standard. The Pentair P/N that seems to come up over and over is 79101600Z but it's still 8 3/8".

Are you replacing the bulb? To remove the light from the niche & clean the niche there’s no need to open the fixture and mess with the gasket.

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/lighting/amerlite/manual/AmerliteOM.pdf

 

[DavidLast]

Sorry, a few more questions.

When did this issue first show? How long has it been occurring?

Is an automatic pool cleaner available?

In what direction are the pool return eyeballs turned?

If this is a new issue, what event coincides with it starting?

Does this occur at a specific time of year or all the time?

Is there anything in the immediate area that may be depositing dust or debris in the pool?

Reading back, I think I read FC was at nine, and the algae wasn't present. Is this correct? However, a few days later, it came back; what was the FC when it returned?