Algae or pollen?

[zimdogg]

I keep seeing what I think might be algae building up in the same places, primarily on tanning ledges where circulation isn't great, and also on tanning ledge walls that go to the bottom of the pool.

If I brush, it goes away, but will come back again. I'm maintaining proper FC levels tested with a taylor test kit. I'm somewhere between 2 and 6 most of the time with 30 CYA. It's never zero FC.

Haven't done an overnight test yet, thought I'd get your opinions here. Pollen levels are high, but I haven't seen the pool do this before in what's now the 3rd season.

I was using some older liquid chlorine from last season leftovers, so maybe it wasn't as potent? I'm not really sure. I have new stuff now.

Anyway, what's this look like. Does pollen accumulate in pools? Is that even a thing?

 

[Lake Placid]

Green algae. Perform an OCLT…when it fails proceed directly to SLAM.

 

[zimdogg]

View attachment 579756

Green algae. Perform an OCLT…when it fails proceed directly to SLAM.

Tested at 5 FC about 930pm last night and was 4.5 this morning about 6:15. I just scrubbed the whole pool. Put the robot in, some MA to drop pH in anticipation of a SLAM, and added some more chlorine.. but if were algae wouldn't I have seen a bigger FC drop?

 

[setsailsoon]

Tested at 5 FC about 930pm last night and was 4.5 this morning about 6:15. I just scrubbed the whole pool. Put the robot in, some MA to drop pH in anticipation of a SLAM, and added some more chlorine.. but if were algae wouldn't I have seen a bigger FC drop?

yes, technically you passed the oclt unless you have visible algae... I tend to think the greenish color in the photo looks like algae so you fail. When in doubt I SLAM because my experience is it's almost always algae. Doesn't hurt anything and may help prevent a worse problem. I used to have a small area where this would happen every now and then. Turns out the flow was missing this area. Do you have good water flow in this area? Maybe adjust your returns a little to see if that changes anything.

Chris

 

[sande005]

Tested at 5 FC about 930pm last night and was 4.5 this morning about 6:15. I just scrubbed the whole pool. Put the robot in, some MA to drop pH in anticipation of a SLAM, and added some more chlorine.. but if were algae wouldn't I have seen a bigger FC drop?

Maybe not, possible that your prior Cl levels were keeping it mostly dead, but that little bit extra that survived is what is consuming the Cl. It is on the edge, but since you can see some...

As far as pollen - it can be a huge problem, and consumer of Cl. (I am so glad I removed the giant white pines that were right next to my pool!). But you would have very noticeable yellow patches on the pavers, accumulating under nearby furniture, etc., etc. If what you are seeing is only in the pool - algae.

 

[zimdogg]

Circulation isn't great there but it's as best as I can do. I don't have jets that spray directly in that tanning ledge.

I'll elevate to SLAM levels today and do another OCLT tonight and see what happens. I'm on all new chlorine now so shouldn't have any old stale stuff around anymore.

 

[zimdogg]

Pool is nice and clear. It clouded up a bit when I was brushing it but it's back to clear again. Sun is on it now so looks even clearer.