I have a brand new fiberglass pool that was installed this summer. It was put in the ground in early June, then the pool contractor didn't show up to finish it for 2 months. Meanwhile the water (which we paid for to be brought in on trucks when pool was put in ground in June) sat unattended for 2 months. We, as first time pool owners, didn't know any better, and assumed that our pool would be finished in perfect swimming condition. When they finally finished construction, it was a swamp, and we were left to figure out how to clean it up ourselves. After much research and finding this site, I thought it was ready for swimming. I let my kids in it for a few days in late August while I continued to vacuum what I assumed was construction dirt. When the dirt kept reaccumulating in the same spots, I did further research and realized that it was actually mustard algae.
That was around August 21. I have been fighting it ever since, with absolutely no success. We have not been able to use our brand new pool at all. I have read everything I can find on this forum about mustard algae and have followed all recommendations to the letter. I first did SLAM, then raised to mustard algae levels, and it kept growing. I allowed chlorine levels to fall so I could adjust pH (mine tends to rise quickly), then repeated SLAM with same result. Since the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I decided I needed to change something. Again I let FC drift under 10, lowered TA and pH, and added borates. I also at some point took water to a pool store to check phosphates which I was told were "very high" (no number given), so I also got some phosphate remover and added it as well. Then I once again repeated mustard algae SLAM, and once again, it laughed at my FC levels over 30 (with CYA in 20-30 range). Meanwhile, I was vacuuming to waste more times than I can count, brushing pool like a maniac, and still no success.
Then, I decided that perhaps my circulation was bad. The pool is 41 feet long, 16 feet wide, and has 1 skimmer and 3 returns. Being a fiberglass pool, there is no main drain. I read about the dye test here, and I tried it. The circulation was poor to the exact spots where the algae keeps growing, so I purchased "The Circulator" to improve my circulation. After much problem getting it to fit in my pool, (The customer service was great, BTW. Owner sent me adapters and talked me through getting them to work.) I again vacuumed to waste, did SLAM, passed all 3 criteria, raised to mustard algae levels, brushed like crazy and thought I was finally winning this epic battle. This morning there was no algae. I brushed again, just to be sure. FC was still 21.5 (CYA less than 30, possibly less than 20 but can't measure that low). Early afternoon, still good. More brushing. Then, late afternoon, went out to check again, and there it is, all over the bottom in the middle of the pool again.
I seriously just want to cry. I feel we will never be able to use our pool. And the only reason I have been able to battle it this long is because we have had a very mild autumn. I am in northeast Ohio, and most people around here closed their pools over a month ago. The temperature is supposed to drop this week, and we are going to have to close the pool soon. (I don't even know anything about closing a pool. I have been so obsessed with learning pool chemistry and algae fighting that I haven't learned anything else about pools.) I would assume that one shouldn't close a pool with a persistent algae problem. Is that correct?
Our automatic cover just got installed last week. Might that help get rid of the mustard algae, as it will block out the light? Or do I need to get rid of it before I ever close the cover?
The only other thing I can think to try is one of those sodium bromide products. I have been avoiding them (despite every pool store trying to convince me to use them) because I have read here that they will convert a chlorine pool to a bromine pool, at least for a while. At this point I'm thinking, is that really such a disaster? What are the downsides to that? Is it better than never being able to use our pool because of mustard algae?
I am looking for any help I can get from those of you who know pool chemistry very well. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give!
(I should mention, I have a SWG, but it has not been turned on since I realized I had mustard algae 2 months ago.)
Most recent readings:
pH 7.2 before start of most recent SLAM
TA 70
CH 180
FC 16.5 this evening, was 21.5 this AM, and had been >20 for last 3 days
CYA <30
Test kits are the good ones. (Taylor)
That was around August 21. I have been fighting it ever since, with absolutely no success. We have not been able to use our brand new pool at all. I have read everything I can find on this forum about mustard algae and have followed all recommendations to the letter. I first did SLAM, then raised to mustard algae levels, and it kept growing. I allowed chlorine levels to fall so I could adjust pH (mine tends to rise quickly), then repeated SLAM with same result. Since the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I decided I needed to change something. Again I let FC drift under 10, lowered TA and pH, and added borates. I also at some point took water to a pool store to check phosphates which I was told were "very high" (no number given), so I also got some phosphate remover and added it as well. Then I once again repeated mustard algae SLAM, and once again, it laughed at my FC levels over 30 (with CYA in 20-30 range). Meanwhile, I was vacuuming to waste more times than I can count, brushing pool like a maniac, and still no success.
Then, I decided that perhaps my circulation was bad. The pool is 41 feet long, 16 feet wide, and has 1 skimmer and 3 returns. Being a fiberglass pool, there is no main drain. I read about the dye test here, and I tried it. The circulation was poor to the exact spots where the algae keeps growing, so I purchased "The Circulator" to improve my circulation. After much problem getting it to fit in my pool, (The customer service was great, BTW. Owner sent me adapters and talked me through getting them to work.) I again vacuumed to waste, did SLAM, passed all 3 criteria, raised to mustard algae levels, brushed like crazy and thought I was finally winning this epic battle. This morning there was no algae. I brushed again, just to be sure. FC was still 21.5 (CYA less than 30, possibly less than 20 but can't measure that low). Early afternoon, still good. More brushing. Then, late afternoon, went out to check again, and there it is, all over the bottom in the middle of the pool again.
I seriously just want to cry. I feel we will never be able to use our pool. And the only reason I have been able to battle it this long is because we have had a very mild autumn. I am in northeast Ohio, and most people around here closed their pools over a month ago. The temperature is supposed to drop this week, and we are going to have to close the pool soon. (I don't even know anything about closing a pool. I have been so obsessed with learning pool chemistry and algae fighting that I haven't learned anything else about pools.) I would assume that one shouldn't close a pool with a persistent algae problem. Is that correct?
Our automatic cover just got installed last week. Might that help get rid of the mustard algae, as it will block out the light? Or do I need to get rid of it before I ever close the cover?
The only other thing I can think to try is one of those sodium bromide products. I have been avoiding them (despite every pool store trying to convince me to use them) because I have read here that they will convert a chlorine pool to a bromine pool, at least for a while. At this point I'm thinking, is that really such a disaster? What are the downsides to that? Is it better than never being able to use our pool because of mustard algae?
I am looking for any help I can get from those of you who know pool chemistry very well. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give!
(I should mention, I have a SWG, but it has not been turned on since I realized I had mustard algae 2 months ago.)
Most recent readings:
pH 7.2 before start of most recent SLAM
TA 70
CH 180
FC 16.5 this evening, was 21.5 this AM, and had been >20 for last 3 days
CYA <30
Test kits are the good ones. (Taylor)
