Can't get rid of dead algae.

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Kallip1

Member
Aug 28, 2021
15
Rochester NH
Pool Size
15300
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello,
I'm having trouble getting rid of what I think is dead algae. It's a very fine (can't pinch between fingers just dissipates into a cloud.) dust that looks like dirt that collects in the crevices on the bottom of the pool. My water never appeared to have algae, and is crystal clear. If I vacuum it just comes back when I run the filter (sand filter). I vacuumed to waste and didn't run the filter for a day and a half and it didn't come back. As soon as I ran the filter it came back. I've vacuumed to waste 4 times but still can't get rid of it. Not sure what do do next. There isn't currently algae in the water as my CC is 0. I'm new to the forum and just bought the TF Test Kit. I tested, adjusted and tested again. I've shared my logs. Hoping someone has an idea of what's going on.

algae_pic.jpg
 
Kallip1 said:
Doesn't my cc of zero indicate there isn't any live algae?
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Maybe. The best test is to do an overnight Chlorine Test -->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test If you you pass, you are likely ok. If you consume more than 1ppm FC overnight, you got something going on...
Kallip1 said:
I've updated my pool info and shared my logs. Is the signature something different?
Click to expand...
The signature is the thing just below this sentence. On a computer, click on your name in the upper right and choose signature. Then you can update it to include all your pool/equipment info. Helps others diagnose!
 
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Kallip1 said:
Doesn't my cc of zero indicate there isn't any live algae?
Click to expand...
As PoolStored said, you can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. But I would take your FC to SLAM level now and do the test tonight.

CC is a function of ammonia based organics being neutralized by chlorine. Not all algae creates CC. So CC is not a definitive indicator of being algae free. It is one indicator, just like passing a OCLT and crystal clear water(with no debris), which you do not pass.
 
mknauss said:
As PoolStored said, you can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. But I would take your FC to SLAM level now and do the test tonight.

CC is a function of ammonia based organics being neutralized by chlorine. Not all algae creates CC. So CC is not a definitive indicator of being algae free. It is one indicator, just like passing a OCLT and crystal clear water(with no debris), which you do not pass.
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Thanks for the explanation! I'll do the OCLT tonight. Need to pick up more bleach to get to slam level. Will do that tomorrow.
 
I am having the same thing. see my thread below. I did vacuum this afternoon, ran the filter (cartridge type) and after 1.5 hr good size visible clumps on the side of the pool where there were no clumps before vacuum. algae can't grow that fast to appear in big clumps in 1.5 hr.. I am puzzled too, may be its dust from ground, or debris being picked up by the filter through leaks in hoses.. I don't know !

Mustard algae problem !

hi I have this thing at the bottom of my pool that I think is mustard algae that has been very hard to get rid off. I used 3-4 rounds of shock in the span of 8-10 days (one of which was 10ppm or more per the strip test), and added Clorox algaecide+clarifier . I usually vacuum the stuff out with...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
geneman said:
I am having the same thing. see my thread below. I did vacuum this afternoon, ran the filter (cartridge type) and after 1.5 hr good size visible clumps on the side of the pool where there were no clumps before vacuum. algae can't grow that fast to appear in big clumps in 1.5 hr.. I am puzzled too, may be its dust from ground, or debris being picked up by the filter through leaks in hoses.. I don't know !

Mustard algae problem !

hi I have this thing at the bottom of my pool that I think is mustard algae that has been very hard to get rid off. I used 3-4 rounds of shock in the span of 8-10 days (one of which was 10ppm or more per the strip test), and added Clorox algaecide+clarifier . I usually vacuum the stuff out with...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
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I feel your pain. It's very frustrating.
 

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As for the material in the pool, passing the OCLT is a great start. That "should" rule out algae, however an FC of 3.5 is still on the low end. I would increase the FC to about 7-8 and keep it elevated like that for a couple days. Not sure about the age of your equipment. How long has it been since you did a thorough deep clean of the sand in teh filter?
 
Texas Splash said:
As for the material in the pool, passing the OCLT is a great start. That "should" rule out algae, however an FC of 3.5 is still on the low end. I would increase the FC to about 7-8 and keep it elevated like that for a couple days. Not sure about the age of your equipment. How long has it been since you did a thorough deep clean of the sand in teh filter?
Click to expand...
I completely changed the sand 3 years ago. I backwash at least every month. I'm thinking of adding some DE to see if that helps. My pool, pump, and filter are 9 years old.
 
Starting to think I have a damaged sand filter. Added DE this morning and vacuumed. Kept filter running afterwards and within 30 minutes had white stuff sticking to the crevices on the bottom of the pool instead of brown stuff, which I'm guessing is DE. Later in the day the pressure was getting a little high in the filter so I backwashed. After that the brown stuff started collecting on the bottom.
 
Texas Splash said:
Uh oh. That's sounds like a damaged lateral, hub connection, or center pipe in your filter. Something to consider inspecting either after you close or just before opening next spring.
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Thanks. When I close I'll inspect it. Quick question on closing. Here in NH our swim season is just about over, but I've always waited until November (when pool starts to ice) to close it. I figured I have to keep filtering and adding chemicals until then to keep the water clean. When I close I drain to just below the return. Is there a way to close earlier without draining the entire pool?
 

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