"Foam" or "Bubbles" - Pool Specialists don't know what it is!

[Gembrain]

So, we have an internal shared pool that's been run by one person for 20 odd years without issues. Beginning of this month suddenly we had something appear on the surface - which nobody can even agree on what it is. He doesn't know, local pool man doesn't know, the pool risk assessor hasn't seen it before.

Note that it's a very thin layer and will disappear when disturbed. There are definitely bubbles coming out of the jets and I think it's related to that - but apparently this has been the case for quite a while and I'm not the pool specialist....

Have attached some photos and hopefully someone will say "Been there, done that, it's this!". Also have videos but file sizes are too big at the moment.

I can't at this stage comment on the water chemistry much. pH is 7.2, Cl is 2.0, and I'm told that everything is as it should be although don't have the readings to prove it....

Much obliged for any help

 

[cowboycasey]

someone could have gotten in the pool with soap soaked clothes.. they could have put to much dawn dish soap in to kill bugs.. mine looks like that for a couple days after my dawn dish soap killing procedures

 

[Texas Splash]

Might also be the chlorine (or laundry bleach) that was added. If the bleach had a fabric conditioner to it, was scented, or splashless it will do that as well.

 

[Newdude]

Or any of the various bleaches with additives. *cough* chloromax technologies *cough*

 

[LoneWolfArcher]

Maybe a bad air leak somewhere in the plumbing? Are their bubbles at the top of your pump skimmer?

 

[Gembrain]

someone could have gotten in the pool with soap soaked clothes.. they could have put to much dawn dish soap in to kill bugs.. mine looks like that for a couple days after my dawn dish soap killing procedures

Soap or something added is certainly on the list but this is weeks now. Flocculant has been used, and a lot of water changed out. Also, it comes and goes in intensity.

 

[mknauss]

Algaecide?

 

[Gembrain]

Maybe a bad air leak somewhere in the plumbing? Are their bubbles at the top of your pump skimmer?

Definitely seeing air in the clear dome of the main pump. That also seems to come and go a bit in how much there is! Don't see bubbles coming up at the skimmers -although I did get a few BIG bubbles come out one time.

 

[Gembrain]

Algaecide?

Other than increasing the Chlorine from 1.5 to 2.0 for Covid the chemicals are all the same as before and from the same supplier.

 

[Gembrain]

someone could have gotten in the pool with soap soaked clothes.. they could have put to much dawn dish soap in to kill bugs.. mine looks like that for a couple days after my dawn dish soap killing procedures

You can zoom in on a couple of the close-ups. Does it look exactly the same?

 

[Gembrain]

Or any of the various bleaches with additives. *cough* chloromax technologies *cough*

All chlorine and acid is as before except I see they have been using Aquasparkle flocculant.

 

[Gembrain]

Could air in the system cause it on it's own with a balanced pool or would it need to be air combined with a chemistry imbalance?

 

[Texas Splash]

This would be a good time to update your signature with all of the pool and equipment info. See mine as an example. Curious what type of filter is in use and if it has a multiport valve.'

As for air in the pump strainer pot (under clear lid), that might effect pump prime or shoot a few bubbles out the return jets, but that's not the reason for the foaming substances. That's a chemical issue. Check the O-ring under the clear lid to ensure it has a generous amount of pool silicone lube on it to prevent air from getting pulled in.

 

[Texas Splash]

I can't at this stage comment on the water chemistry much.

This is also something we'll need more info as soon as its possible.

 

[Gembrain]

This would be a good time to update your signature with all of the pool and equipment info. See mine as an example. Curious what type of filter is in use and if it has a multiport valve.'

As for air in the pump strainer pot (under clear lid), that might effect pump prime or shoot a few bubbles out the return jets, but that's not the reason for the foaming substances. That's a chemical issue. Check the O-ring under the clear lid to ensure it has a generous amount of pool silicone lube on it to prevent air from getting pulled in.

Thanks Texas. Have updated signature (sorry for delay - had to measure pool, list items, etc). Noted re pump bubbles. There are bubbles coming out of the return feeds that rise to the surface, form as a clump of small bubbles, maybe 3-4mm, then burst down to very small clumps with sub mm bubbles, which then join together to form the "foam". Tap any of those clumps with your finger and they break up instantly to tiny microbubbles. Tap those and everything gone. Have skimmed off "foam" a couple of times into small clear containers. Once settled, the water is totally clear with nothing on top. As far as the pool is concerned, if the water is being disturbed then no "foam". Take one of my lidded samples, shake vigorously, bubbles appear and follow similar process to in pool. Now very gently shake sample and water goes clear. What's confusing for me is that shaking a sample of tap water obviously creates bubbles but they take longer to go away - and yet adding more water to the pool seems to help...

 

[Texas Splash]

Hummm. Odd. It's time to ID the chemistry. What re your plans for water testing? Do you have any good resources for a test kit over there? Know anyone who can get your a TF-100 from the states or a Taylor K-2006C perhaps? Without good reliable numbers, I feel like we're a bit in the dark over here across the pond.

 

[mknauss]

Flocculant has been used

A change in surface tension of the water with a suction side air leak could create bubbles as shown. The FLOC remnants would be the catalyst.
If the filter media has not been changed since using the FLOC, it would be best to do that.

 

[Gembrain]

Hummm. Odd. It's time to ID the chemistry. What re your plans for water testing? Do you have any good resources for a test kit over there? Know anyone who can get your a TF-100 from the states or a Taylor K-2006C perhaps? Without good reliable numbers, I feel like we're a bit in the dark over here across the pond.

Hi Texas. My apologies, and quite take your point! I am told that everything is in balance by the pool operator and that Langlier test gives a very satisfactory result. Unfortunately I don’t have the actual test figures to back that up……. When I do finally get some I will post them up.

 

[Gembrain]

A change in surface tension of the water with a suction side air leak could create bubbles as shown. The FLOC remnants would be the catalyst.
If the filter media has not been changed since using the FLOC, it would be best to do that.

Variable surface tension makes a lot of sense - would explain why it comes and goes a bit. The FLOC is fairly basic and has been used before without issues. All supplies from the same reputable supplier. It’s a new sand filter with new media replaced a few months back. Personally I feel a suction side leak is somewhere in the mix - or else someone keeps chucking some soap in!