Yellow or Mustard Algea?

[TeamFreddy]

Hello TFP,

I believe I have yellow or mustard Algea. I’ve neglected the pool this winter and for the most part it was clear and thought I had a layer of dirt until I realized it wasn’t.

I noticed the areas covered get shade a good portion of the day and as you can tell by my power heads it’s the spot the power heads jump so little flow in that spot. Brushing has removed some of it but it’s stubborn and my Hayward is also not removing much of any of it.

Started a SLAM yesterday.

Parameters prior to Starting SLAM are as follows:
FC 0
PH 8.2
TA 84
CH 190
CYA 30
CSI 15

Lowered PH to 7.2
I raised FC to 12 and this morning i completed the first 24 hours of the slam but continue to keep FC at 12.

Is it unusual for OTLC to be a loss of 5ppm overnight on day 1? And if mustard which I think it is looks like my last day of SLAM I will raise FC to Mustard Levels.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Donldson]

Mustard algae puffs up when brushed, this looks and acts more like staining. Have you used any algaecides or other products over the winter?

 

[TeamFreddy]

Mustard algae puffs up when brushed, this looks and acts more like staining. Have you used any algaecides or other products over the winter?

No products used over the winter. When I do brush I get a small cloud like when brushing dirt.

 

[Donldson]

Sounds very much like an organic stain then if it can be brushed off with some effort. If you have a chlorine tablet you can try rubbing it against the stain and see if it lifts, that would confirm it.

Assuming organic staining then keeping at SLAM level and brushing will eventually cause it to lift. You don't have to scrub it and get it all off at once, but a good brushing once or twice a day (and/or running the robot) with SLAM chlorine levels will get it in time.

 

[TeamFreddy]

Sounds very much like an organic stain then if it can be brushed off with some effort. If you have a chlorine tablet you can try rubbing it against the stain and see if it lifts, that would confirm it.

Assuming organic staining then keeping at SLAM level and brushing will eventually cause it to lift. You don't have to scrub it and get it all off at once, but a good brushing once or twice a day (and/or running the robot) with SLAM chlorine levels will get it in time.

I didn’t even think organic staining. I don’t use tabs so guess I will need to go buy one just to test.

Attached is a pic near the steps if it helps identify what I’m working with.

 

[Bperry]

I didn’t even think organic staining. I don’t use tabs so guess I will need to go buy one just to test.

Attached is a pic near the steps if it helps identify what I’m working with.

Just because it’s yellow or mustard color doesn’t mean it’s mustard algae. Just keep slamming, losing 5ppm overnight is a lot but common.

 

[TeamFreddy]

Just because it’s yellow or mustard color doesn’t mean it’s mustard algae. Just keep slamming, losing 5ppm overnight is a lot but common.

Thanks I’m hoping tonight’s loss is a little better. Visually the pool is looking better. I’ll keep everyone updated.

 

[Newdude]

Thanks I’m hoping tonight’s loss is a little better.

Sometimes it does the 2 steps forward, one back deal. You still ended up more ahead than where you started.

You got this.

 

[TeamFreddy]

Todays update: visually the pool looks much better than it did when I started. In a picture the staining looks worse than it actually is, kinda odd but progress is being made but I’ll take a picture for tracking purposes.

3/6 OCLT: 5.4ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4ppm

 

[Newdude]

Switch to 10ml samples and .5 FC per drop. There's simply no need for .2 resolution.

2.X sucks for any CYA level and 8.X is awesome for most CYA levels.

Save 2.5x the supplies with a 10ml sample.

 

[TeamFreddy]

Switch to 10ml samples and .5 FC per drop. There's simply no need for .2 resolution.

2.X sucks for any CYA level and 8.X is awesome for most CYA levels.

Save 2.5x the supplies with a 10ml sample.

I didn’t even think of switching to 10ml. You just saved me a ton of r-0871.

When you say 2.x and 8.x regarding CYA level what do you mean. [forresr gump voice] I am not a smart man Jenny! [/forrest gump voice]

 

[Newdude]

2.somethin FC is flirting with minimum at 30 CYA, whether it's a 2.2 or a 2.5. For the rest of the CYA levels, 2.somethin is below min and on the bullet train to Swampville.





Now an 8.somethin on the other hand (.2, .5, .8, etc) is plenty above min at up to 90 CYA, though it's time to add more FC at the higher levels.

 

[TeamFreddy]

I see what you are saying. Normally I try to stay 40-60 CYA and have not had an issue. This will be my third season and not opposed to bumping CYA to see how the pool handles it.

Thanks for all the inputs

 

[TeamFreddy]

Todays update: OCLT still high but things are looking much better and improvement is noticeable in a picture.

3/6 OCLT: 5.4 ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4 ppm - CC 1.8
3/8 OCLT: 4.5 ppm - CC 2.5

 

[Newdude]

This will be my third season and not opposed to bumping CYA to see how the pool handles it.

60s probably great when it's insane AZ out.

Raod test it and adjust CYA up by 10 if the daily loss increases unreasonably.

Raising by 10 won't make a huge difference if it was algae eating your FC and not the sun, but it's still always wise to Overnight Chlorine Loss Test before raising the CYA. If raising it substantially such as in the spring when it's low from the winter, or going to SWG, then it's absolutely imperative to OCLT first. SLAM FC is 40% of the CYA so it's 12 FC @ 30 CYA and 28 FC at 70 CYA.

 

[TeamFreddy]

Saturday update: we were out late so I didn’t get a chance to get a reading late so OCLT is unknown. Visually looks much better than when I started earlier this week. Keeping things at SLAM Level for a few more days hopefully get <1 ppm loss overnight soon.

3/6 OCLT: 5.4 ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4 ppm - CC 1.8
3/8 OCLT: 4.5 ppm - CC 2.5
3/9 OCLT: Didn’t Test previous night - CC 1.5

Pic of before the SLAM started and today.

 

[Mdragger88]

Keep going with the
SLAM Process
Do ALL the things

High overnight loss with a clear pool points to hidden algae so be very thorough.

Only After the passing all 3 end of slam criteria would you then proceed to the mustard algae protocols if you suspect you have a MA issue.

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.google.com

SLAM ON

 

[TeamFreddy]

Sunday Update: The last test I was able to get due to weekend activities was 4:30pm. Pool visually looks perfect again. SLAM continues.

3/6 OCLT: 5.4 ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4 ppm - CC 1.8
3/8 OCLT: 4.5 ppm - CC 2.5
3/9 OCLT: Didn’t Test previous night - CC 1.5
3/10 OCLT: 2.0 ppm (last tested 4:30 pm) - CC 0

 

[TeamFreddy]

Monday Update: pool looks great. SLAM Continues. OCLT loss of 3 ppm overnight

3/6 OCLT: 5.4 ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4 ppm - CC 1.8
3/8 OCLT: 4.5 ppm - CC 2.5
3/9 OCLT: Didn’t Test previous night - CC 1.5
3/10 OCLT: 2.0 ppm (last tested 4:30 pm) - CC 0
3/11 OCLT: 3 ppm - CC 1.5

I am thinking of pulling the cartridge filters out and giving them a good cleaning? Would this hurt at all? I was hoping OCLT was trending down but went up a bit instead.

 

[Mdragger88]

Monday Update: pool looks great. SLAM Continues. OCLT loss of 3 ppm overnight

3/6 OCLT: 5.4 ppm
3/7 OCLT : 3.4 ppm - CC 1.8
3/8 OCLT: 4.5 ppm - CC 2.5
3/9 OCLT: Didn’t Test previous night - CC 1.5
3/10 OCLT: 2.0 ppm (last tested 4:30 pm) - CC 0
3/11 OCLT: 3 ppm - CC 1.5

I am thinking of pulling the cartridge filters out and giving them a good cleaning? Would this hurt at all? I was hoping OCLT was trending down but went up a bit instead.

Is it totally dark when you’re testing for the oclt?
Cleaning the filters is a good idea. We recommend doing that when pressure rises 25% over clean pressure so make note of your clean pressure after.
Have you cleaned your beaker lately? If not give it a good wipe with alcohol & rinse.