Mustard algae problem !

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G

geneman

Member
Sep 2, 2021
16
dallas
hi
I have this thing at the bottom of my pool that I think is mustard algae that has been very hard to get rid off. I used 3-4 rounds of shock in the span of 8-10 days (one of which was 10ppm or more per the strip test), and added Clorox algaecide+clarifier . I usually vacuum the stuff out with a simple bag vacuum and then brush the spots, then do the shock and then add algaecide at the level instructed by Clorox, and keep the filter on overnight. however, this thing comes backs just overnight, although water is clear. I am so frustrated. what to do? should I just drain the water? will that make easy to eradicate this? please help !!!IMG_5806.JPG
 

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Thanks so much for the quick response. I had a look on the page you gave, and it talks about test to see if it's really algae, where it say to take a mason jar and take it to under water and then put some of the stuff in that. I was wondering why the jar has to go under water, can we just bring the algae out with a dropper and put in a jar with the pool water standing outside?
 
geneman said:
Thanks so much for the quick response. I had a look on the page you gave, and it talks about test to see if it's really algae, where it say to take a mason jar and take it to under water and then put some of the stuff in that. I was wondering why the jar has to go under water, can we just bring the algae out with a dropper and put in a jar with the pool water standing outside?
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Can you tell me which page? I went to both ABCs and Mustard Algae page and searched for jar and found no quote. Just go to the page, copy the URL and paste it in a response.
 
I had mustard algae for years. That does not look like mustard algae. MA occurs in shaded spots in the pool, like the wall on the south side where light does not hit. And it is usually a light brown/yellowish color.

It looks like possible duck poop.

As per usual, what test kit are you using, and what is your CYA level?
 
@red-beard yes you might be correct. I actually went and tried to feel this things with my fingers, to see if it's slimy. but I can really hold any of them. the moment I try to pinch they just flow away like cloud of dust.. so it could be pollen then?
My test strip doesn't say Cya level, but store that day gave a reading of only 5. however, after that I added Cya powder (which was a big headache to dissolve) but haven't taken reading yet.
 
Ragweed is a prevalent pollen in Dallas from August to November.

The point in the post was to invert the Jar, put it down below the surface to not get contaminates from the surface. The point of the dropper (you could use Turkey baster) was to collect some of the stuff to put in the jar.
 
Test strips are not very accurate and the pool stores in general are not that accurate and have an "agenda" on selling you expensive products. I highly recommend picking up a Taylor 2006 or TFT100 test kit so you know the chemistry levels in your pool.
 
And I'm still pretty sure it is duck poop. That darkish color. Unfortunately, I've had ducks in the pool. After it sits for a while it disintegrates to a mess. Look at the second step.

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PoolStored said:
Ragweed is a prevalent pollen in Dallas from August to November.

The point in the post was to invert the Jar, put it down below the surface to not get contaminates from the surface. The point of the dropper (you could use Turkey baster) was to collect some of the stuff to put in the jar.
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Ragweed very well can be.. do they go to the bottom or float on the water?
another Q, is there any home test for algae, like a chemical test or something?
 
geneman said:
another Q, is there any home test for algae, like a chemical test or something?
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There's algae floating around all the time in the air. If you have a body of water, there is algae in it.

All of this theorizing about things is pointless until the water is properly tested. Those results will point toward the cause and away from everything else.
 
red-beard said:
Ducks can fly
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when do they come though? we have never seen a duck when awake !
and I saw these repeatedly appearing after 5-6 days of cleaning. usually biggest difference I observe in the morning.. but they have been constantly appearing even after daily vacuuming.. I vacuum, brush, shock around 7pm, everything is clean, wake up in the morning and they are there !
 
Donldson said:
There's algae floating around all the time in the air. If you have a body of water, there is algae in it.

All of this theorizing about things is pointless until the water is properly tested. Those results will point toward the cause and away from everything else.
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right, but if there is test kit to directly assay for algae, thats the most definitive answer actually..if not, it's a product idea !!
I used to work for a biomedical lab and I could take this stuff and look under the microscope and could know if it's really algae or just something else, but I don't work in there anymore!
 
@red-beard Here is an update: today I vacuum the areas where I saw these deposits on the floor. everything nice and clean after that. started the filter and left for 1.5 hr. I come back and see new deposits, this time of the side of the pool where there were none before vacuum. That says that its not algae. Algae can't grow to such visible big clumps within 1.5 hr !!! what are these then? is something being picked up by the filter hoses that are laying on the ground, or is it due to the lawn mowing that was done just after I did vacuum??

here is the pic of the floor 1.5 hr after vacuum, and of the filter setup:IMG_5829.JPG
 

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