Mustard Algae type 2

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M

Macrosill

0
Jun 10, 2007
110
Long Island, NY
I have been fighting this battle since 2009. Here is where it started: Fighting algae for weeks

I am at the point of taking the pool down this year as the kids do not use it as much as they used too. If I can get rid of this stuff then I will keep it up but if it is going to be a annual battle then I am throwing in the towel.

So as you can imagine I was not in the best of mood at the end of last year and just closed the pool without any treatment. I opened it around June 16th or so. It was green and lots of algae on the floor. I have been SLAM'ing the pool since. Water is not crystal clear and I passed the OCLT. My Slam is done. I also did the Mustard Slam for 24 hours. I am now at the following:
OCLT 0
FC 23 but was over 24 for 24 hours prior for the Mustard SLAM.
CC 0
TA 70
PH 7.6 this was before the high FC
CYA 40

- I have been filtering 24/7 since the 16th.
- Backwashed twice. Lost some sand. My pump might be too big for the filter. S166t with a Maxi Flo 1hp. This is a side issue.
- I opened and re-lubed the multiport gasket after inspection to make sure it was good.
- Sweeping daily, both the floor and walls.
- Vacuuming every other day due to work and time constraints.
- Nothing in the pool, not the ladder or anything. It just an empty container of water. I have not even installed the Fafco panels yet. Trying to keep it to the bare minimum for now.

The Mustard Algae type 2 is back and doing the same since 2009. The spots on the floor accumulate daily.

I am going to follow the Mustard type 2 advice and keep FC levels 20% of CYA for a week, FC 8, and then 15% of CYA for 2 weeks thereafter, FC of 6, there after but I am not confident it is going to work.

I have been using the PoolMath app to track the pool so I can provide daily status from the 18th. I had to wait for my new test kit to arrive as the supplies were old. I have testing data since the 19th. On the 16th and 17th I just added enough bleach to SLAM based on the water volume and best guess.

I am considering breaking down and trying some of the Yellow Out as a last resort. I am not sure what to do at this point.

I will take any and all advice and encouragement at this point.
 
All right. Something strange going on.

Tested the water this morning at 0730. Water is crystal clear.
FC 18
CC .5
CYA 50

Added 192 ounces 10% liquid chlorine from Walmart, production date 156, which is June 5th unless it is last years stock, to bring my FC level to 38, poolmath indicates my FC should rise by 20 with that addition. Chlorine was added by pouring in front of the return, not in the skimmer.
3 hours later I tested the water again right after vacuuming at 1030.
FC 32
CC .5

It is an completely overcast day. Is it possible that 6 PPM chlorine was burned off by the sun with a CYA of 50 in 3 hours? Is the MA eating 6 PPM in 3 hours?
Maybe Walmart's liquid chlorine is not 10% but more like 7%? I am at a loss. I re-measure my pool to make sure I am not going crazy. 46"-48" actual water depth depending on rain, evaporation, backwash and topping off. Today it is at 46 which should bring my overall volume of water lower so the chlorine addition should have a higher effect.

I need some help here.
 
Brian,

First, you need to make sure all your chemicals are indeed the proper strength and not expired or compromised in anyway, weakened or other...

Next, I would clean your filtering system before your next SLAM and make sure you begin w a 7.2pH. Also, brush the heck out of the entire pool and in all your skimmer areas once the SLAM is started and the increase to MA SLAM FC levels. Brush again...then start removing

Finally, I think I had MA for a much longer time than I ever thought...it needs to be eradicated in every sq inch. Don't give up and make sure your chemicals are fresh and stored in room temps [CL]. In Houston, the heat can take a toll on the chemicals efficacies quickly...good luck, tstex
 
Here you can see what I am working with.
e84d6330c22587fffe056521b6fb13fe.heic

711217c68e0ef3aa0a019cd2b1e43d45.heic
e350bd65682ebb59c0aa342a832da82f.heic


I just brushed again. Once the MA reappears in a couple hours I will update with a picture of it.
 
what's your weather like there and your direct sun exposure time when the sun is out?

your FC is not just disappearing...it is either killing something, being UV destroyed or both...keep brushing every sq inch too...keep the pump running 7x24...
 

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In my opinion, there are two types of mustard algae. The common type is yellow dust that sticks to walls and floors but mostly in the shade.

The rare type (I call type 2) looks like sand. It does not stick to walls or floor too much.

It mostly accumulates on the bottom.

It's usually an olive green or brownish color with yellow tint.
 
I am pretty sure there are thousands of species of algae. I think we are over complicating the SLAM process when we have "type 2" or any other type that might require special treatment.

I believe we all like to think that "our algae" is very special since we can't get rid of it but I never see any documented proof that is the case.

Chlorine kills algae.....regardless. I don't believe anyone can name a species of algae that adequate chlorine won't kill.

BTW, what I see in the pics is ordinary dead algae.....commonly found when SOME chlorine is killing SOME algae but the SLAM process has never been completed to fully eradicate it.
 
tstex said:
Brian

Is the mustard algae in the bottom slide, which kind of looks like a slide under a microscope w slight contrast? I'm not sure what to view? Thanks
Click to expand...

The last picture is a zoomed in shot of the MA from above the water. The pattern is the liner and the darker larger spot is the MA.

tstex said:
I googled M-Algae Type 2 or 2 or Type II and got nothing - any links to this stuff? Thanks
Click to expand...

The type 2 is an informal name that I have read about here on TPF in my search to find out what this is. I have been dealing with it since 2009. You can read the thread from 2009, I linked it in my first post.

duraleigh said:
I am pretty sure there are thousands of species of algae. I think we are over complicating the SLAM process when we have "type 2" or any other type that might require special treatment.

I believe we all like to think that "our algae" is very special since we can't get rid of it but I never see any documented proof that is the case.

Chlorine kills algae.....regardless. I don't believe anyone can name a species of algae that adequate chlorine won't kill.

BTW, what I see in the pics is ordinary dead algae.....commonly found when SOME chlorine is killing SOME algae but the SLAM process has never been completed to fully eradicate it.
Click to expand...

I do not think the SLAM process is being over complicated. This stuff does not die off according to the regular SLAM rules or even the Mustard Algae rule of higher chlorine for 24 hours. Based on what I have read this year you have to SLAM, then raise FC for MA for 24 hours and them maintain higher than normal FC level for weeks after. Maybe that is the key, maintain higher than normal FC levels for weeks. I have never done that before. I have SLAM'ed over and over it still accumulates. I have been dealing with this stuff since 2009 and it is still here. I have dosed so much chlorine in my pool that I have bleached the liner significantly. I am at my wits end with this and if I can not resolve it this year the pool is coming down.

I assure you it is not dead algae. If left alone more and more will accumulate. Dead algae will not grow. This does.
 

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