Hi, I have algae, it’s a medium yellow-green, appears rather slimy, but dissipates when I brush, like a powder. On the bottom in large patches and on the steps and walls. Unsure if it’s green or mustard. Unfortunately, I had bad asthma and allergies for a few weeks and was unable to care for the pool in my usual way. Prior to this, I prided myself on my pristine pool. Keeping FC at 4-5, CC at 0, pH at 7.4, TA 140, CH 130, CYA 45. Pool temp was 84° before the weather turned at night.It’s at 76° now. We also have solar heating panels, will the chlorine kill algae if we run them and for how long? Should we keep the solar cover off? I’d love to extend the season into September, here in central NY. The FC fell to 0, we had lots of rain. I have SLAMmed the pool, bringing the FC to 38, for 3 days. This also messed with the pH, turning the test a lovely raspberry color, that I could not achieve a change until today, which is at 7.7. So, how do I proceed from here? I have just vacuumed and scrubbed the walls. We changed the DE . Just checked FC, dropped quickly from 38 this morning to 22 by 4:30. I will add chlorine and recheck. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.
Help! I have algae!
- Thread starter Gardenmom
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,497
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
For now, simply stick to the basics of the SLAM Process page. With a CYA rounded up to 50, your FC SLAM level is only 20, so stick to that. At the same time, continue all the other chores on the SLAM page. Just give it time. Only after you have passed all 3 regular SLAM criteria should you increase the FC to the proper Mustard Algae leve which in your case would be about 28-29 (24 hrs only at MA level).
Gardenmom- are you retesting and redosing your pool frequently throughout the day?
Are you following this-> FC/CYA Levels
Are you brushing daily?
Maddie
Are you following this-> FC/CYA Levels
Are you brushing daily?
Maddie
I had been testing daily, twice a day, adjusting chlorine levels as needed. This just got away during my short illness. I have never had algae on the walls before, I vacuum every other day as a rule, weather permitting. I Keep the levels stable. Yes, I monitor FC/ CYA. and PH. I do not use pucks and haven’t in 3 or 4 more years. I ran into the high CYA issue. Lesson learned. Use only sodium hypochlorite 12.5%.
Should I leave the solar cover off during the SLAM?
Should I leave the solar cover off during the SLAM?
Yes, do.... let the sun burn off any CCs it can. The solar cover just holds them in. Try to test and re-dose more often then just twice a day, and don't forget to brush your pools walls and floor. Brushing helps disrupt the biofilm that algae makes to protect it from chlorine, and also get the algae into circulation.
Maddie
Maddie
Thank you.! I will do that. I’m impatient! The funny? thing is the water is crystal clear, unless I stir up the stuff with the brush.
Hi, update. Finished the SLAM process. Took a few days, I started out a bit high with the chlorine, but maintained a level of 21 overnight , pool is clear, actually was clear prior to SLAM , CC 0 as before SLAM. I wonder if it was dead algae on the walls and bottom. Currently my FC is 17.5, my pH is high, off the indicator. 3 drops acid demand brought to 7.4-7.6. Should I treat with muriatic acid or wait until my FC has drifted down to normal?
- May 3, 2014
- 59,266
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
pH test is invalid with FC above 10 ppm. Test your pH when your FC falls below 10 ppm.
Thank you much! I thought maybe and your advice Is very helpful!