Above ground with algae, or dirt, or something!

[zbkai189]

Hello everyone.

I’ve got an above ground vinyl lined pool. Chlorine, 2 years old with a sand filter and VSP.

I’m usually meticulous about balancing the water and following TFP protocols but I’m not sure how to handle this problem.

I accidentally let the skimmer basket get pretty full about 10 days ago and the water got a little cloudy. I figured I would clear the basket, backwash and then shock it overnight to clear things up.

The next morning, this stuff was at the bottom of the pool. It has been there each morning for the past week.

Nobody has been in the pool because of it so I don’t think it’s dirt.

The water has cleared up nicely. It’s clear and moving 24/7, but the substance persists.

Each day I vacuum to waste, backwash and rinse, and I’ve been trying to keep FC around 16ppm (CYA is 40).

pH, TA and CH are good per my Taylor kit.

I do have alot of trees nearby that regularly drop leaves into the pool. I don’t know much about phosphates and haven’t had them tested.

Not sure what this is or how to get rid of it.

 

[Mdragger88]

It looks like algae to me.
Follow the SLAM Process

You are done when:

CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
the water is clear.
(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)

*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where it may hide (steps -aka - algae hotels, light niches, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs & their foam, etc.)
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.
*Brush & or vac daily (this breaks up biofilms that algae uses to protect itself from chlorine)
*Backwash/clean filter when pressure rises 25%over clean pressure.

 

[zbkai189]

It looks like algae to me.
Follow the SLAM Process

You are done when:

CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
the water is clear.
(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)

*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where it may hide (steps -aka - algae hotels, light niches, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs & their foam, etc.)
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.
*Brush & or vac daily (this breaks up biofilms that algae uses to protect itself from chlorine)
*Backwash/clean filter when pressure rises 25%over clean pressure.

Thanks. Is a good polyquat algecide an alternative?

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks. Is a good polyquat algecide an alternative?

Algeacides are a preventative at best.
Maintaining Slam level w/ liquid Chlorine is the answer.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[zbkai189]

Algeacides are a preventative at best.
Maintaining Slam level w/ liquid Chlorine is the answer.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you for the help!

I decided to SLAM and am on day 3. The substance is no longer coming back and OCLT is 2.

I read that having chlorine far above SLAM level is not great for OCLT because some will bleed off and make you fail the test. Is that true?

I’m asking because I’ve been keeping it at 16-18 with CYA 40 but retested CYA and it’s 30, so my SLAM should’ve been around 12. My FC dropped from 18 to 16 last night but if it’s supposed to be at 12, maybe that’s Ok…?

 

[Katodude]

I would give it at least another day. Keep your pool at SLAM level and do another OCLT. Most people try to end their SLAM too early and end up with algae again. A little bit of patience here will serve you better in the long term.