From a first time poster, thanks to all those who support this forum and to those who've come before me with similar issues. Words can't express the sense of empowerment I've gained from reading through so many posts and thoughtful advice.
I've already taken some proactive measures, purchased proper test kit and liquid chlorine. Been wrestling with mustard algae on and off for 6 months. In the last week or so though, it's come on strong on the shadowed wall of pool and on steps/corners. After reading a bunch and dropping a gallon of 10% HCL yesterday, it appears to be slowing down and have been brushing daily. Lots of leaves dropping from a fruitless mulberry close by that I'm staying on top of. Have been breaking down my DE Quad filter every 2 months based on advice from my old pool guy (even though the pressure doesn't indicate a problem). Given this is a year old pool I'm having a hard time understanding how my CYA and CH got so high so quickly. My only guess is old pool guy had summer workers who didn't know what they were doing and used wrong kind of shock every week. I assume I need to do a full drain, but seeking input. From what I've read, I'll never get my FC high enough with CYA level where it is to knock out the algae. My old pool guy says that I might as well do the full drain because if I do a partial and refill and it doesn't reduce CYA enough, I'm throwing money out the window.
My local pool supply store rep advised that their pool's CYA dropped over the winter from 150 to 50 without doing anything. They also advised that if I do decide to drain, that I should acid wash the plaster to ensure all the algae is knocked out. None of this makes sense, hence why I'm here. Thanks in advance for thoughts or links to similar threads that I may have missed.
Today's test results below from my Taylor K-2006C kit.
FC 6.0
CC 0.5
pH 7.4
TA 90
CH 625
CYA 150
I've already taken some proactive measures, purchased proper test kit and liquid chlorine. Been wrestling with mustard algae on and off for 6 months. In the last week or so though, it's come on strong on the shadowed wall of pool and on steps/corners. After reading a bunch and dropping a gallon of 10% HCL yesterday, it appears to be slowing down and have been brushing daily. Lots of leaves dropping from a fruitless mulberry close by that I'm staying on top of. Have been breaking down my DE Quad filter every 2 months based on advice from my old pool guy (even though the pressure doesn't indicate a problem). Given this is a year old pool I'm having a hard time understanding how my CYA and CH got so high so quickly. My only guess is old pool guy had summer workers who didn't know what they were doing and used wrong kind of shock every week. I assume I need to do a full drain, but seeking input. From what I've read, I'll never get my FC high enough with CYA level where it is to knock out the algae. My old pool guy says that I might as well do the full drain because if I do a partial and refill and it doesn't reduce CYA enough, I'm throwing money out the window.
My local pool supply store rep advised that their pool's CYA dropped over the winter from 150 to 50 without doing anything. They also advised that if I do decide to drain, that I should acid wash the plaster to ensure all the algae is knocked out. None of this makes sense, hence why I'm here. Thanks in advance for thoughts or links to similar threads that I may have missed.
Today's test results below from my Taylor K-2006C kit.
FC 6.0
CC 0.5
pH 7.4
TA 90
CH 625
CYA 150