Dead algae piles daily coming from the filter.

[TinFoilHat]

MOD note: Please see the reply below before buying any DE

 

[PoolStored]

Here are some choices from Homer. Search Results for diatomaceous earth at The Home Depot

Please do not use these options for DE. Use only pool grade DE. Animal feed and insect control DE is food grade. Do not use food grade in a pool filter.

Pool Grade diatomaceous earth is calcined, or heat-treated for use in filters. The high temperatures harden the diatom exoskeletons. This process also turns the silicon dioxide within the DE into crystalline silica.

Food grade diatomaceous earth products contain less than 1% crystalline silica, and it what is used for insect control. Food Grade DE products, are uncalcined and are largely composed of amorphous silica.

The consequences of using food grade are a cloudy pool for weeks on end. The food grade stuff will break up into fine particulate that will be impossible to catch, and the cloudiness will persist for a long time.

Food grade DE can be a nightmare to deal with.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Thank you for pointing that out. I deleted the information. I didn't think about there being different types of DE. I'm sorry for the confusion.

 

[gjantz]

Have you been brushing daily? I just dealt with mustard algae in my pool, and even when I was sure it was gone, brushing the bottom would kick up a big, colorless cloud. Water was clear and the bottom looked totally clean, but brushing proved it wasn't! Mustard algae seems really sneaky... I never had overnight chlorine loss or CC (maybe one day CC was almost 0.5, because the water barely took on a hint of pink). But it kept coming back until I slammed and then mustard algae slammed. I plan to keep pH lower and FC higher next season.

Yes brushing and vacuuming twice a day. I'm starting to think it might be a circulation issue. I only have 1 return and 1 hp pump for a 18x38 oval pool. The return and skimmer is on the end. Pool company says its standard but I'm not so sure I can believe anything they say. What do you guys think?