Why is Yellow Out or Yellow Trine Harmful to your pool?

[Promkter]

*mod edit: moved from 2017 thread


I have read a lot on how bromine based algae remover is bad for the pool. It's like a broken record repeating itself. On the other side there is a market for this ( companies making it and selling it), there is a demand, and enough people happy with the results to keep on buying it....therefore companies keep on making it. If it a horrible destructive chemical for the pool eventually these products will be off the market or greatly reduced. Basic economics. Now, instead of stating again how bad bromine is ( I get it) , ***What is the solution to remove yellow algae from the pool?***

 

[Donldson]

If it a horrible destructive chemical for the pool eventually these products will be off the market or greatly reduced. Basic economics.

That's not how economics works, basic or otherwise.

Let's try this one: Pool store says to chlorinate water with trichlor pucks, which contain CYA. Pool store also says that it is unsafe to swim in water with greater than 4 ppm FC. Pool store gets residual income from sales of these pucks. CYA builds up to the point where 4 ppm FC is insufficient to control algae. Pool store gets income from sale of granular chlorine (shock) and algaecides. CYA continues to build to where even the weekly "shock" does not work. Since algae doesn't die the pool owner is led to believe they have some chlorine resistant algae and call it "yellow algae" and buy the special product the pool store has for it. Said product creates a bromide bank and so some of the chlorine is converted to bromine, which is not affected by CYA. This creates enough sanitizer in the water to kill the algae (which was almost certainly run of the mill green algae anyway). Pool owner, woefully unaware of what really happened, heaps praise on the pool store for solving their problem and continues frequenting the store. Pool owner gets odd chlorine demand from the bromine but chalks it up to the special algae they're sure they have, pool store is rewarded for "fixing" the problem they created.

Now, what sounds more like the reality of "basic economics"?
1: products with negative side effects disappear from the market because everyone reads in to the subject and turn away the "quick fix" in return for long-term results?
OR
2: stores that live upon sales take advantage of ignorance and short-term thinking to create a residual income stream?

Anyway, if you want a solution to your algae problem you might consider starting a thread on it. At the risk of being labeled a "broken record", I can guarantee the answer won't be sodium bromide.

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
The goal of TFP is to make pool maintenance easy and spend more time to enjoy the pool then trying to maintain it. So never having algae is a component of that goal.

We have 2 foundational blocks. Test your own water and follow the recommended FC levels per
FC/CYA Levels

We have an overwhelming number of members that have followed these components and never have had algae

I would also say that majority of people who buy pool store products do so on the recommendation of the pool store rep. If it doesn't work, only the pool owner knows but the pool store reps keep pushing products as their goal is revenue targets through the disguise of "free" pool water tests.

 

[Bperry]

***What is the solution to remove yellow algae from the pool?***

The solution is listed here in the SLAM process:

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Promkter]

That's not how economics works, basic or otherwise.

Let's try this one: Pool store says to chlorinate water with trichlor pucks, which contain CYA. Pool store also says that it is unsafe to swim in water with greater than 4 ppm FC. Pool store gets residual income from sales of these pucks. CYA builds up to the point where 4 ppm FC is insufficient to control algae. Pool store gets income from sale of granular chlorine (shock) and algaecides. CYA continues to build to where even the weekly "shock" does not work. Since algae doesn't die the pool owner is led to believe they have some chlorine resistant algae and call it "yellow algae" and buy the special product the pool store has for it. Said product creates a bromide bank and so some of the chlorine is converted to bromine, which is not affected by CYA. This creates enough sanitizer in the water to kill the algae (which was almost certainly run of the mill green algae anyway). Pool owner, woefully unaware of what really happened, heaps praise on the pool store for solving their problem and continues frequenting the store. Pool owner gets odd chlorine demand from the bromine but chalks it up to the special algae they're sure they have, pool store is rewarded for "fixing" the problem they created.

Now, what sounds more like the reality of "basic economics"?
1: products with negative side effects disappear from the market because everyone reads in to the subject and turn away the "quick fix" in return for long-term results?
OR
2: stores that live upon sales take advantage of ignorance and short-term thinking to create a residual income stream?

Anyway, if you want a solution to your algae problem you might consider starting a thread on it. At the risk of being labeled a "broken record", I can guarantee the answer won't be sodium bromide.

Thank you Donldson. Great concise summary of the vicious cycle. Reminded me of the Pharma industry. I am a novice pool owner (2 years) and newer here. I will take a look around on the forums to see what I can find. I do have this yellow algae issues and hopefully can kick it out my pool soon. Thabks again sir.