Mustard Hater

[ge2655]

I HATE MUSTARD ALGAE!!!!!

Living in South Florida, I have had my bouts and issues with this scourge. After discovering this great forum back in 2008, I began my education in how to properly care for my pool. I read everything, acquired the necessary tools and was diligent in my procedures and duties. My reward was the best looking pool I ever had.

I’ve been able to keep the dreaded mustard under control by maintaining high (20-24 ppm) FC at all times, (during the winter, it could slip to 18 but no lower) and PH between 7.4 – 7.6 but no higher. This has worked well for a few years.

Stupidly, I got a bit lazy and allowed the FC to drift to the mid-teens for a few days. This coupled with the fact that my chlorinator cell is failing has spawned an outbreak of the demon’s condiment.

I HATE MUSTARD ALGAE!!!!!

Removed and replaced filter cartridge (it was battered) and stocked up on bleach and have been mustard shocking since Thursday evening. With a CYA of 65 ppm, I need to maintain FC levels of 40 plus. Add bleach – sweep – place tools in pool – test – add bleach – sweep – place tools in pool – repeat for what seems eternity.

On day two, aside from the normal routine above, all fixtures, return outlets, skimmer box, pool skim, etc were scrubbed with a stiff brush.

Now day three…my New England Clam Chowder filled pool is beginning to clear…not quite consommé yet but getting there. I rinsed off the cartridge, and am running my MX-8 cleaner for a few hours to pickup the dead ‘dust’ from the bottom. Hoping tonight is the last night I need to run the filter constantly.

IMHO = Mustard algae is the worst pool affliction.

Moral of the story - Don’t get lazy and stay diligent.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I HATE MUSTARD ALGAE!!!!!

Regards,
-Gary

 

[duraleigh]

Don’t get lazy and stay diligent.

Hey, ge, I would be a lot happier if you would stop TELLING ME THE TRUTH.

I get mustard algae in my pool just about every end of July - early August.

It is ALWAYS because I am lazy and do not stay diligent!!!

With my year after year experience, I am quite good at clearing it usually within 48 hours but it waits for me the rest of the swim season should I slip up again. :grrrr::grrrr:

 

[boston62]

What does that look like, does it brush loose with a brush, I have something that looks like round spots on the bottom of my pool, only 2or 4 Thanks

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[ge2655]

Boston,

Mustard algae looks like fine yellowish-brown dust that grows on the sides and bottom of the pool usually in a shady area. It brushes away easily but returns and multiplies quickly.

Regards,
-Gary

 

[ge2655]

Hey, ge, I would be a lot happier if you would stop TELLING ME THE TRUTH.

I get mustard algae in my pool just about every end of July - early August.

It is ALWAYS because I am lazy and do not stay diligent!!!

With my year after year experience, I am quite good at clearing it usually within 48 hours but it waits for me the rest of the swim season should I slip up again. :grrrr::grrrr:

Dave,

I remember when I first joined TFP I had read a post from someone (it might have been you in fact) who said..."owning a pool is like owning a pet" meaning it requires time and dedication. When being confronted with this dreaded mustard algae constantly, in my case it is like owning a 'special needs' pet. Just can't take your eye off it for very long.

Your brother in mustard misery,
-Gary

 

[duraleigh]

I'm pretty sure that quote comes from Richard320 who has probably never had the privilege of Mustard Algae

 

[brian4110]

Knowing that even duraleigh gets mustard algae from time to time makes me feel a lot better about my pool!

 

[Jeniloohoo]

I thought I had the dreaded scourge as well. It turned out not to be the case, but I share your misery as I slammed, scrubbed, washed, wiped, everything in sight for weeks. It made me completely neurotic! May the bleach gods shine down on you and help you squelch the demon. lol

 

[buzzard302]

Yep, I'm in south Florida as well and summer time is the most difficult. I also have to maintain an abnormally high FC level to keep it away. It is frustrating because I am a technical person and a bit of a perfectionist. I test water chemistry daily, and even maintaining FC levels above the CYA chart is not enough. My FC needs to be in the teens (CYA currently 50) to keep the MA away. I feel your pain!

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Have you tried polyquat 60? Since you deal with the MA so often? I had a pool that was such a nuisance but the PQ definitely helped.

 

[boston62]

Mine must be stains..

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[boston62]

Boston,

Mustard algae looks like fine yellowish-brown dust that grows on the sides and bottom of the pool usually in a shady area. It brushes away easily but returns and multiplies quickly.

Regards,
-Gary

Mine must be stains, I took a piece of PVC, and put it over some that were in the shallow end used MA, and it came out...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[RobbieH]

I had mustard algae in this pool when I first moved in. I'd rather have that again than ever have to deal with black algae again.