Dreaded mustard algae

[gregsfc]

7,400 gallon ag non slatwater vinyl
Latest numbers:
FC 6-10 daily maintenance
CYA 60 (sadly over shot cyanuric acid this spring but dealing with it)
CC .5-1
PH 7.3 (when fc is below 6; shows higher ph. Assuming the lower fc is the more accurate reading)
TA 50 (have kept it at 50 three years with few needed PH adjustments; higher levels require constant acid additions)

Going to start mustard SLAM soon. Mustard is supposed to be easy to remove from surfaces but I'm struggling to get a very faint yellowing off the floor. Bought a new brush.
Going to remove ladder and soak and scrub bleach. Open the filter and clean surface inside and check sand. Wash swimsuits in color safe bleach and soak floats.

Since I already pass all three tests, how long should I SLAM?

Any more suggestions?

 

[Texas Splash]

If you have already passed all 3 criteria of the regular SLAM Process, then you increase your FC to MA levels for 24 hours only. Hope that helps.

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[gregsfc]

If you have already passed all 3 criteria of the regular SLAM Process, then you increase your FC to MA levels for 24 hours only. Hope that helps.

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks. I've had mustard for a year but thought it was pollen until recently and have just been doing the regular maintenance thing. Once I figured out that it's been mustard of some type for a year now, I started brushing each day, which originally raised cc's to 1. I then started keeping fc at the high end of target, because I've not yet been able to remove all the yellowing that I know will go away, because my brother dove down last year and got it off
scrubbing. Since doing this higher fc target level, the cc's are now back down to .5 and no noticeable loss of chlorine except for the sun. So my question is that, even though I've not SLAM'd ever since going with tfpc three years ago, and knowing I have mustard algae, since I pass all three tests before even starting, should I just go straight to the higher shock level or do regular SLAM for a day or so and then go to the higher level for 24 hrs?

 

[Texas Splash]

Correct. If the water is clear, CC are low, and you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, then you can go straight to the MA level for 24 hours. Based on the long history of potential algae in the pool before, it's possible some of what you are seeing is simply organic staining too, so keep that in mind. If so, even the MA leve may not remove it. It might take quite a while for those stains to finally fade,

 

[gregsfc]

Thanks. That's very helpful. The yellowing that's left now is more spread out all over the bottom and only faintly visible. It's likely then I've been stressing over something I can't fix in the short term. I knew that we always want to remove organics from surfaces so that chlorine can work. It's good to know about an exception that will let me move forward. Neither the wife or I can put our heads under water. My issue is eustachian tube issues that are exaserbated by submerging under water. I'll use the new brush once and go right to MA SLAM. Your guys and gals are the best! Thanks for what you do!

 

[Wobblerlorri]

You can read my adventures with mustard algae at MUSTARD ALGAE!!! I did a short SLAM, about 2 days I think, and got all kinds of dead algae on the floor before going to MA levels. I think it wouldn't hurt to do a SLAM first, just to make sure nothing else is brewing, and since your issue is of such long standing.

 

[gregsfc]

Thanks. I'll read through that linked thread. That's sort of what I thought about doing. One or two days at regular shock level for my cya--24; and then to the MA level for 24 hours, which I'll look up to find that level. As hard is this stuff is to completely eradicate, it probably wouldn't hurt to have it shock level two or three days. Plus I need the practice. I'm always advising family and friends what to do; but have never had to put this SLAM process in to practice; and one always learns a little more and gains more understanding engaging in a process than just reading about it.

Interestingly, when I picked up the brush at the pool store (and this is actually a well-intended pool store, but they are not tfpc imformed and converted), she said, "you need this sodium bromine or maybe even this zinc plus sodium bromine; chlorine won't kill it". I had told her I was going to SLAM it the way Trouble Free Pool teaches. She also said, because I was wanting to get the surfaces cleaned up thoroughly first that; "algae is not a cleaning issue; it takes a chemical fix"; the latter of which is true, but she doesn't know of course that we know a better way. She figured I guess I thought I could fix the problem with brushing and 5-10 fc; and considering all of that and the limitations they have within their own methodologies, it was probably as good advice as one can give without subscriping to the chemistry truth of an fc-cya relationship taught here.