Another mustard algae victim...

[beemerbob]

Hi everyone. First post. I'm happy to have found this resource.

Here's my story... 12x24 above ground - 7000 gals - in its 10th year. I dose daily with liquid chlorine and use a Taylor kit with FAS-DPD. Based on conventional wisdom (that I'm learning isn't so wise from this site) I've always run FC at 3. We heat it to 85 degrees, and it stays covered if we're not using it to retain the heat at night. I'm in Illinois so our season runs from May through Sept. In the first eight years, I had few issues with water chemistry/clarity. I did experience cloudiness a few times, and would find that chlorine I was adding was not registering. Shocking would fix that and things would clear up. Last year, I started fighting mustard algae. Chlorine helped, but less and less. This year, I'm fighting mustard algae with a vengeance. The first few weeks of the season were ok, but it quickly got out of control. I tried Yellow Out and the cloud got less yellow, more white, and it started to clear up. About that time we got a new liner (unrelated to the algae issue), so did a full drain and put in new tap water.

The new water looked great. I was running FC at 3-4 and had hopes that the algae was going to be behind me. About three weeks later (one week ago), the algae let me know it was BAAACKKK! I tried Yellow Out again - same result - cloud was more white than yellow, but not really clearing up this time. It's so cloudy that I can barely see the bottom.

I'm pretty sure it's mustard algae. Yellow brown streaks on the bottom, and when I brush it blooms into a yellow/brown cloud.

Then last Friday, I found this site. I started SLAM yesterday. My CYA is 50, so keeping FC at 20. My pH was 7.4 when I started, but the TA of the "new" water was nearly 300 - so I've been letting it drift to 7.8 and adding muriatic acid to take it back down to 7.2. I suspect I'll be doing that for a while to get the TA down. I'm going to pull the ladder out and hit it with a power washer - too many hiding spots for a brush. I've been brushing daily and pulling the cartridge filter every couple of days and rinsing it with a spray nozzle. My first overnight test showed a loss of "only" 2ppm, so I'm encouraged.

I had a couple of questions for the group.

1. I have a 2-speed pump. It runs on low 24x7. Is that enough circulation or should I be running it on high?
2. Since I know my pH is drifting up, should I add some acid in a quantity similar to what I've been using?
3. Anything I'm missing?

Thanks to all of you for your help.

 

[HermanTX]

1. I have a 2-speed pump. It runs on low 24x7. Is that enough circulation or should I be running it on high?
2. Since I know my pH is drifting up, should I add some acid in a quantity similar to what I've been using?
3. Anything I'm missing?

Welcome to TFP
Does the pump speed properly skim the surfaces and mix your chemicals? If so then it is fine.
No need to worry about pH during a SLAM. testing pH when FC is above 10ppm will give erroneous pH readings. That is why the process states to lower pH to 7.2 before SLAM starts.
You can deal with the higher TA after completing the SLAM.
Other items
Do not cover the pool when doing a SLAM. Wash all ladders, light fixtures, and pool toys with bleach.
Brush often
Monitor your filter pressure and clean when needed to remove the dead algae.

 

[Bperry]

Hi everyone. First post. I'm happy to have found this resource.

Here's my story... 12x24 above ground - 7000 gals - in its 10th year. I dose daily with liquid chlorine and use a Taylor kit with FAS-DPD. Based on conventional wisdom (that I'm learning isn't so wise from this site) I've always run FC at 3. We heat it to 85 degrees, and it stays covered if we're not using it to retain the heat at night. I'm in Illinois so our season runs from May through Sept. In the first eight years, I had few issues with water chemistry/clarity. I did experience cloudiness a few times, and would find that chlorine I was adding was not registering. Shocking would fix that and things would clear up. Last year, I started fighting mustard algae. Chlorine helped, but less and less. This year, I'm fighting mustard algae with a vengeance. The first few weeks of the season were ok, but it quickly got out of control. I tried Yellow Out and the cloud got less yellow, more white, and it started to clear up. About that time we got a new liner (unrelated to the algae issue), so did a full drain and put in new tap water.

The new water looked great. I was running FC at 3-4 and had hopes that the algae was going to be behind me. About three weeks later (one week ago), the algae let me know it was BAAACKKK! I tried Yellow Out again - same result - cloud was more white than yellow, but not really clearing up this time. It's so cloudy that I can barely see the bottom.

I'm pretty sure it's mustard algae. Yellow brown streaks on the bottom, and when I brush it blooms into a yellow/brown cloud.

Then last Friday, I found this site. I started SLAM yesterday. My CYA is 50, so keeping FC at 20. My pH was 7.4 when I started, but the TA of the "new" water was nearly 300 - so I've been letting it drift to 7.8 and adding muriatic acid to take it back down to 7.2. I suspect I'll be doing that for a while to get the TA down. I'm going to pull the ladder out and hit it with a power washer - too many hiding spots for a brush. I've been brushing daily and pulling the cartridge filter every couple of days and rinsing it with a spray nozzle. My first overnight test showed a loss of "only" 2ppm, so I'm encouraged.

I had a couple of questions for the group.

1. I have a 2-speed pump. It runs on low 24x7. Is that enough circulation or should I be running it on high?
2. Since I know my pH is drifting up, should I add some acid in a quantity similar to what I've been using?
3. Anything I'm missing?

Thanks to all of you for your help.

Keep going, no need to do any overnight tests until there is no sign of algae dead or alive since thats the first criteria to end the SLAM. Once its clear, then do the CC and OCLT. Its ok to do those tests early, just dont forget they arent the only requirements.

 

[beemerbob]

Progress report and question.

On day 8 of SLAM. It didn't feel like much improvement in the first six days, but over last two days I'm seeing a 75%+ reduction in the amount of algae I'm brushing up each day. I pull the cartridge filter and rinse every other day and didn't have any visible yellow yesterday which was a big change. The cloudiness has gone down to the point where I can see the pattern on the bottom. I've been consistently replacing 4-6 ppm of FC each day. I did lose 10ppm during the day yesterday, which was an anomaly for which I don't have an explanation other than it was particularly clear and sunny. I double-checked the test.

I pulled my ladder out and power washed it. I'll spray and wipe with a 10% solution before I put it back in the pool. But here's a question: The sides of the ladder are hollow and hold sand to weight the ladder down. There are several small holes which allow water to enter for ballast and drain when removed from the pool. I don't really have any way to clean that out. The only plan I've got is to drain it as much as possible and put it back in during the 24-hour MA level so it refills with that water. Any other suggestions?

And a suggestion for the admins: the SLAM instructions wisely say to get plenty of LC prior to starting. You should probably recommend to stock up on FC test reagents, too.

 

[HermanTX]

There are several small holes which allow water to enter for ballast and drain when removed from the pool. I don't really have any way to clean that out. The only plan I've got is to drain it as much as possible and put it back in

Will the ladder fit in a large garbage can or similar item? You could fill that with water and add chlorine and let it sit for a day.

Good work on the SLAM. We do encourage to take daily photos because it is hard to see day to day changes however, as you say it just popped on day 7 or 8 and that is very common.

 

[beemerbob]

Will the ladder fit in a large garbage can or similar item? You could fill that with water and add chlorine and let it sit for a day.

That's a good idea - thank you. I may have to MacGyver something but I think I can get that done.

 

[beemerbob]

Day 12 of SLAM. Water has been crystal clear for three days - which is an awesome sight. Passed overnight test last night and raised to MA SLAM level this morning. Figured out a good way to sanitize my ladder and got that done. Solar cover has been on for much of the SLAM to retain heat but I'll pressure wash it later today just for good measure. Tools and toys have been sanitized.

Looking forward to the weekend in my beautiful pool!