I feel like I'm barely keeping algae at bay

[ktmo21]

Hello
For the past few weeks I feel like I am barely keeping algae at bay. 3 weeks ago my pool started turning cloudy and a little teal. I didnt do a full slam my bad I know but it got better. It was clear and the stuff on the bottom of the pool wasn't as visible. Everyday I was having this brownish yellow gunk on my pool floor. At first I thought it was dirt or pollen since we have alot of trees but now I am not sure. I did use a clarifier I know another bad thing but it did clear up the water. Except when I backwashed 2 days later my backwash water was lime green and my pool is clear. Ive been using skimmer socks and those also get a yellow greenish tint. Yesterday pool started looking cloudy again with the "dirt" returning mainly on the sides of pool. Nothing is ever visible on the walls or ladder. I am starting to think this is algae and it just isn't "blooming" because I don't let my chlorine fall. I usually keep my chlorine a 5-7 based on my cya. I just am over it being clear for 5 days or so then getting this weird gunk on the bottom and it sometimes turns slightly cloudy after I run my robot. I am considering doing a full SLAM tonight but it is raining. I just can't figure out if I am battling algae constantly or if it is pollen. My chemistry has been fine. I know I need to do an overnight chlorine loss test I plan on it this weekend as I just got my kit for that in the mail. Does this sound like algae to anyone?? I did attach pics of the mystery gunk.

I tested pool yesterday
FC - 5
Ph - 7.6
Alkalinity - 100
Hardness - 150
Cya - 40

 

[proavia]

You will need to add the Taylor K-1515 FAS-DPD test kit to do the SLAM Process.
Your K-2005 will only measure FC up to 10 ppm.
SLAM Process FC level for CYA of 40 is 16.

Tonight, do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and report the results here.

Most likely, your FC is falling below minimum at some point during the day.

 

[ktmo21]

I just bought the fas-dpd test. I plan on doing the chlorine loss tonight. I test my chlorine lately 2x a day morning and night . It did dip to a 3 2 days ago but I added more chlorine. I just am not sure if I need to SLAM since pool is clear but I also want this gunk to go away and not come back.

 

[proavia]

I just bought the fas-dpd test. I plan on doing the chlorine loss tonight. I test my chlorine lately 2x a day morning and night . It did dip to a 3 2 days ago but I added more chlorine. I just am not sure if I need to SLAM since pool is clear but I also want this gunk to go away and not come back.

Update your signature with that test kit, pump and any other specific info (manufacturers and model numbers).

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight and report back.

 

[PoolStored]

You can do the OCLT, but with visible algae, just start the SLAM process...Link-->SLAM Process

You can SLAM in the rain.

 

[ktmo21]

Update your signature with that test kit, pump and any other specific info (manufacturers and model numbers).

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight and report back.

I do have auto inline chlorinator that I keep on a low setting. I need to turn that off overnight to do the chlorine loss test?

 

[proavia]

Yes - and the use of tablets will continue to raise the CYA.
If you need to do the SLAM Process, don't use any tablets - use liquid chlorine only

 

[ktmo21]

I did the overnight chlorine loss test it was a 6 at night and it is still a 6 with no cc. Yesterday there was less mystery dirt around the edges and pool is clear.

 

[alvindo]

My new pool was finished on 6/8. Every day thereafter I would open my pool and find algae or dirt, I still don’t know what it it was. Then I gradually got my CYA up to 60, still looking for 70. I also kept bumping my chlorine up, and now I open every day to a clear pool. Once my FC hit 5.0, the pool was clear.