Is this pollen or Algae

[Trk3263]

I thought my “pollen” problem was because I was having trouble with my robot but I am starting to think this is an algae. This is the first time dealing with this in the 4 years we have had the pool. It brushes away like it is pollen but it seems to keep coming back to the same areas (sloped walls).
Can you help me figure out if this is algae? I am not seeing any chlorine drops but I have a SWG and haven’t shut it off to see if there is an overnight drop.
I was gone all last week and leaving this evening so I am not sure I can do a slam until I get back?
Please tell me your thoughts. Maybe mustard algae? I posted some pics but I have a video of brushing it which just turns it into a cloud and disappears for a little bit.

 

[kul]

Turn off your SWG and do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

I had a similar situation last year and it turned out to be pollen.

 

[Trk3263]

I have vacuumed once by hand, running my robot just about every day and used filter socks for a few weeks now. I am definitely getting some pollen build up in the socks but just concerned because it keeps coming back on the angled walls.
I do have a new robot, use to have a dolphin 200 that died last year. Had the Aiper Seagull which was getting stuck on the main drain and so I figured was the reason my pool wasn’t getting as clean. Now have the Aiper Scuba and it seems to be doing much better but maybe just can’t keep up with the pollen like the Dolphin did?
I just find it weird our major pollen season has slowed down and it keeps coming make to the same areas of the pool. I can’t do and overnight chlorine test until I get back from a work trip so I might just crank my SWG up while I am gone and try and maintain a slam level with some added bleach….
When I return I will definitely do the overnight test and see where things are at I guess.

 

[henryforever14]

I have vacuumed once by hand, running my robot just about every day and used filter socks for a few weeks now. I am definitely getting some pollen build up in the socks but just concerned because it keeps coming back on the angled walls.
I do have a new robot, use to have a dolphin 200 that died last year. Had the Aiper Seagull which was getting stuck on the main drain and so I figured was the reason my pool wasn’t getting as clean. Now have the Aiper Scuba and it seems to be doing much better but maybe just can’t keep up with the pollen like the Dolphin did?
I just find it weird our major pollen season has slowed down and it keeps coming make to the same areas of the pool. I can’t do and overnight chlorine test until I get back from a work trip so I might just crank my SWG up while I am gone and try and maintain a slam level with some added bleach….
When I return I will definitely do the overnight test and see where things are at I guess.

I just want to comment on the Aiper Seagull. I briefly had one for about one week before I returned it. It was getting stuck on the main drain, the ladder among other things. It's just poor design. Replaced it with a Dolphin Nautilus CC, no problems any more.

 

[reggiehammond]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to confirm if it's algae. I would guess it's plain old algae that you can solve with SLAM Process if it's easily disturbed but returns.

You aren't logging many tests in pool math so it's hard to say how much your FC is fluctuating. With CYA 30, you don't have a ton of protection as the water heats up, and you get more sun. Most SWCG are recommended at 60-90 CYA, protecting the limited FC production of a SWCG.

It's also wise to run more FC than anywhere remotely close to minimum.

 

[Trk3263]

I just want to comment on the Aiper Seagull. I briefly had one for about one week before I returned it. It was getting stuck on the main drain, the ladder among other things. It's just poor design. Replaced it with a Dolphin Nautilus CC, no problems any more.

I returned my Seagull 6 months later under warranty and they prorated the refund. I ended up buying the Scuba S1 and it seems to be working well.

 

[Trk3263]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to confirm if it's algae. I would guess it's plain old algae that you can solve with SLAM Process if it's easily disturbed but returns.

You aren't logging many tests in pool math so it's hard to say how much your FC is fluctuating. With CYA 30, you don't have a ton of protection as the water heats up, and you get more sun. Most SWCG are recommended at 60-90 CYA, protecting the limited FC production of a SWCG.

It's also wise to run more FC than anywhere remotely close to minimum.

Some good info here. I have definitely got lazy about test since in the past my SWG keeps everything running smooth.
When I get back home I plan to do the overnight test. I did get the pool to slam on Sunday before I left and turned my SWG up to 100 to try and maintain it but my wife didn’t want to learn to test the FC for me (go figure, lol) I am going to have her turn the SWG back down tomorrow and hope for the best when I return back home later in the week. I am planning on doing a true slam of still needed.
I definitely need to get my CYA up but I thought I read somewhere on here that keeping my FC around 3-4 with the SWG was recommended.
Hmm I see where I got the info from. My pool math currently shows the recommended at 2.0-6.0 BUT when I change the CYA to 70 (ideal) it changes my FC to recommend 3.0-10.0. I think that is why I was thinking I wanted to keep it around 3-4.
Thank you for the heads up on this. I am sure I will get some flak on trying to SLAM with my SVG but I figured I would give it a try because the pool mat effects of adding shows my SWG at 100% with pump running 24/7 shows I should be able to maintain the FC at 12 which is what I show my SLAM to be. I do feel 12 is a little low compared to the only other time I had to SLAM my pool but maybe that was also because my CYA was higher?

 

[reggiehammond]

Keep SWCG on 100%. It won't hurt, but if you have algae, it also won't keep up. Algae can consume FC faster than the SWCG can make it.

There's no guesswork needed. The FC/CYA Levels guidance is clear and established. You'll see a minimum level, but the goal is to NEVER EVER get close to that level.