11th Day of SLAMMING... Mustard? [pic included]

[IDGT]

Hello,

I started my slam on Monday 2/17 bringing my FC to 24-25. I have been maintaining this level throughout the days as much as possible (I work so there is a 2-4 ppm slippage at times) and deep brushing mostly once a day, twice on the weekend days. I’m now on day 11 and and the pool has become very clear but a fine brown “dust” on the bottom of the pool never really goes away. It will clear up to almost nothing but then return to be more noticeable while brushing. I have recently removed my light, cleaned my skimmer housing, and clean my filter 2-3 times since the slam started. Does this image look like mustard algae? The picture was taken before the SLAM started. The algae only formed on the shaded part of the pool and has not come back. A pool company WAS taking care of the pool. I fired them and now trying to get things inline. It seems this algae is becoming resistant to this FC level. Any comments/advise would be greatly appreciate.

*maybe my ph has crept up higher over the last 11 days so the chlorine is becoming less effective?

Pre SLAM
PH 7.2-7.4
FC 7
CC .5
TA 85
CYA 60 (I rounded up)
CH 400
Salt 3800

Current Slam
FC 25
CC 0-0.5
CYA 60 (rounded up)
Temp around 76-80F

 

[Arizonarob]

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but that looks like regular algae. Have you been running the pump during the SLAM?

 

[IDGT]

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but that looks like regular algae. Have you been running the pump during the SLAM?

Yes running the pump 24/7 the algae is just not going away. I assumed the only other option is to mustard slam..

 

[Arizonarob]

Hang tight while I get a few of our slam experts on this.
@kimkats @YippeeSkippy @zea3

 

[IDGT]

?? Thank you

 

[Jimrahbe]

IDGT,

How expensive is your water? I can fill my 17K pool for about $50 bucks.. For me that would be a lot less than the cost of Liquid Chlorine.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[IDGT]

Water is not the cheapest here. I want to use the methods outlined to take care of my pool on a day to day level as well as algae issues. Do you think is mustard algae?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

No, its not mustard algae. Are you sure its not pollen?

Can you scratch some off and schmear it on a piece of what paper?- what's it look like then?

Maddie

 

[IDGT]

No, its not mustard algae. Are you sure its not pollen?

Can you scratch some off and schmear it on a piece of what paper?- what's it look like then?

Maddie

Thank you Maddie,
No it’s not pollen, it has not returned since the first slam day. I now have been dealing with the brown “dust” for almost 10 days off and on. I was starting to read about the CYA standard solution test results and got me thinking maybe I’m not accurate reading my CYA level. So if it’s not mustard algae then I will bring my FC SLAM to the CYA of 70 instead of 60 and see how that works. Good idea? You are fairly confident it’s not mustard?
Thank you,
Derek

 

[Katodude]

Its been pretty windy here lately. Could be just dirt and dead algae. Have you done an OCLT? Have you cleaned your filter?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Can you even pick it up or does it poof away?

 

[IDGT]

Can you even pick it up or does it poof away?

It just poofs away... earlier in the week it so very very faint maybe even gone.. now it’s for sure more noticeable.

 

[IDGT]

Its been pretty windy here lately. Could be just dirt and dead algae. Have you done an OCLT? Have you cleaned your filter?

Yes 3 times already and a MA wash. I have a screen enclosure and the dust just poofs away

 

[samhorowitz]

What kind of filter?

 

[IDGT]

Jandy cartridge

 

[Katodude]

Did you pass the OCLT?

 

[IDGT]

Did you pass the OCLT?

I’ve been getting a loss of 2ppm but with a high FC slamming I’m sure there is error in the test

 

[Katodude]

When you said recently cleaned the light and skimmer how recently? I might just need a couple more days of slamming those two areas

 

[IDGT]

When you said recently cleaned the light and skimmer how recently? I might just need a couple more days of slamming those two areas

I will give it until the end of the weekend. Do you think it’s mustard

 

[Katodude]

I would listen to what Skippy says. She does not think it is mustard. Keep brushing like crazy, especially the new spots you have uncovered. You might want to open the main drain and brush the brown stuff towards it. If it is dead algae then the filter will help. This part is the hardest. POP, pool owner patience. Trust the process and the mods here, they really know what they are doing.