Difference Between Algae and Red Dirt

[VinDeeLoo]

I live in Oklahoma and am surrounded by red dirt. We live not even 1/2 a mile from fields and it is Oklahoma "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains". I think I have found some algae on the water level mark on the opposite side of the return. (I think). My FC was lower than what it should have been this morning. It was still above minimum level, but not what I try to keep it at. I know we need a stronger pump but we are stuck with the one that came with our pool for the time being. I am running it 24-7 because we have had some rain and wind that have stirred up the dirt. Now my question, how do I know the difference between red dirt on the bottom of the pool and algae?

Here are my testing results from this morning
FC 7 (It was 8.5 when I went to bed.)
CC 0
TC 7
pH 7.5
TA 90
CH 260 (we have very hard fill water)
CYA 30

I added 50 oz 10% chlorine to bring levels up to 12 around 10:30 am and brushed the sides and floor of the pool. At 12:30 it was down to 10 so I added 24 more oz of chlorine and brushed the pool again. Will test again around 2:30.

FC down to 5.5 at 2:45. Had to add 64 oz chlorine.

 

[VinDeeLoo]

4:45 - Down to 10. Added 24 oz chlorine.

Is there anyone who can answer and help me? 19 views and no help yet.

 

[VinDeeLoo]

6:30 - Down to 10. Added 24 oz chlorine.

Looks like a storm is headed our way. I have been hearing thunder since my 2:45 reading.

Does anyone have any help/advice?

 

[pooldv]

I don't know for sure. Algae is usually green and puffs up green when you brush it. If it is red even it is probably dirt. Doing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test might help to determine if there is something organic growing in the pool or just some dirt.

 

[duraleigh]

What does your water look like?

 

[VinDeeLoo]

The water is pretty clear but does have some reddish/brown on the floor. I have swept it several times today. It really makes me think of red dirt, but I am not sure. I did find some black gunk on the wall on the opposite side of pump and return at water level. I was able to scrub it off with my brush. I have brought it up to SLAM level and have tested several times today bringing it back up to slam.

 

[duraleigh]

OK, if your water has reddish debris on the bottom, why would you think that is green algae? Manually vacuum the red dirt out of your pool, letting your filter catch it. When did you last backwash?

You should perform the OC tonight. If you do not pass, you will need to SLAM your pool......failing the OCLT would mean that you have both red dirt in your pool and algae.

Have you read "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School?

 

[VinDeeLoo]

Yes I have read all of pool school. I thought it might be algae when the past 2 days our FC was lower than what I was expecting it to be. The black gunk on the wall made me question it too.I googled pictures of algae to get some idea. Some pictures looked like what I see.

We have a Summer Waves pool, can you backwash it? We clean our filter everyday.

 

[max2k]

Yes I have read all of pool school. I thought it might be algae when the past 2 days our FC was lower than what I was expecting it to be. The black gunk on the wall made me question it too.I googled pictures of algae to get some idea. Some pictures looked like what I see.

We have a Summer Waves pool, can you backwash it? We clean our filter everyday.

try to measure FC overnight loss- if you're less than 1 then it's all just dirt which needs cleaning/vacuuming/filtering.

 

[VinDeeLoo]

I took a reading tonight after sundown. At 7:30 FC was 13.5. Will check first thing in the morning.

I go back to school on Friday. I really hope it is just dirt.

 

[VinDeeLoo]

I thought I had answered this. This morning at 6:30 my FC was 13. So, must not be algae. My husband is going to clean the ladder tonight, just to be safe.