Mustard Algae

[Jefwhite]

Hello everyone, new pool owner here. Pretty sure I've been fighting MA. Started out yellowish brown suspended on the pool bottom. I've already been pool stored for hundreds with no avail. But the progress is better. I just ordered a Taylor 2006c today. Ready to take charge myself. Just curious if anyone else has had a similar vinyl liner experience with MA. I'm at the point now that my pool is crystal clear except for pinkish sand looking stuff that only attaches to the liner seems. I've brushed 3 times a day for weeks, shocked, and used algaecides. The pinkish stuff always come straight back to the liner seems within an hour or so. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I've already been pool stored for hundreds with no avail.

Welcome to #TeamPoolStored.

Does it come back to only the seams on the bottom of the pool? Pink is an odd color for algae. Can you post a picture? What happens when you brush it?

Are you rural or urban? Do you have red clay or red dirt and winds in your area?

Finally, how are you testing your pool?

 

[Jefwhite]

Welcome to TFP!!!


Welcome to #TeamPoolStored.

Does it come back to only the seams on the bottom of the pool? Pink is an odd color for algae. Can you post a picture? What happens when you brush it?

Are you rural or urban? Do you have red clay or red dirt and winds in your area?

Finally, how are you testing your pool?

It comes back to most all the seams bottom and sides. When I Brush it just wisp away. I'm in a rural area. 5 acres of land and 3.5 acre pond is abort 30 yards from my pool.
Do have high winds but, no red dirt or clay. I've been getting my water tested at the local pool store, but I ordered a Taylor 2006c yesterday. I just found Trouble free pool a few days ago and been reading it a lot trying to educate myself. I will have to get some pictures after work and try to post this evening.

 

[duraleigh]

Dead algae accumulating at the seams of a liner or in divots in the pool floor is quite common. It is the result of the flow of pool water over the bottom.. The seams catch the algae and allow it to accumulate until it's visible.

But that dead algae means you almost surely have live algae, too, and the cure is the SLAM.

 

[Jefwhite]

Dead algae accumulating at the seams of a liner or in divots in the pool floor is quite common. It is the result of the flow of pool water over the bottom.. The seams catch the algae and allow it to accumulate until it's visible.

But that dead algae means you almost surely have live algae, too, and the cure is the SLAM.

Oh ok, thanks so much for the reply. I'll get familiar with my test kit when it comes in and hopefully be proceeding with the SLAM very soon. I'm just learning to navigate this web site. I will get all my pool information updated. Thanks again

 

[dBsooner]

Oh ok, thanks so much for the reply. I'll get familiar with my test kit when it comes in and hopefully be proceeding with the SLAM very soon. I'm just learning to navigate this web site. I will get all my pool information updated. Thanks again

Have you ever tested the water? I know test strips and the pool store are not reliable for testing purposes (or for advise or really anything other than buying maybe DE or some odd ball item you need), but at this point, some sort of test is better than no test at all. But I may be wrong for saying that. LOL.

I would also say mustard algae is extremely rare. There are other algae that look and behave like mustard algae. Though you are in the humid southeast where mustard algae is more common, but still rare. Let's hope for just typical algae and once you start the SLAM process it will be taken care of quickly.

 

[Jefwhite]

Until then, raise your FC and keep it elevated, preferably close to SLAM level for your CYA level if you know your CYA level. Have you ever tested the water? I know test strips and the pool store are not reliable for testing purposes (or for advise or really anything other than buying maybe DE or some odd ball item you need), but at this point, some sort of test is better than no test at all. But I may be wrong for saying that.

Pioneer Pool Company in Mobile, AL tested my water Saturday morning. Test showed my CYA at 45, FC at 6.3 but like you said I'm not confident it's correct. I did go ahead and add some Liquid chlorine Saturday night just to keep my FC a little elevated. I do not want the yellowish brown algae back again. As for this moment I'm just dealing with the pinkish stuff on the liner seams. I'm so glad found trouble free pool. I have learned a good deal just reading the pool school stuff for the last 2 days.

 

[dBsooner]

Pioneer Pool Company in Mobile, AL tested my water Saturday morning. Test showed my CYA at 45, FC at 6.3 but like you said I'm not confident it's correct. I did go ahead and add some Liquid chlorine Saturday night just to keep my FC a little elevated. I do not want the yellowish brown algae back again. As for this moment I'm just dealing with the pinkish stuff on the liner seams. I'm so glad found trouble free pool. I have learned a good deal just reading the pool school stuff for the last 2 days.

Yeah, I would stop there. I removed my previous comment of raising the FC as I didn't want to confuse the situation. You must have that test kit to be able to accurately monitor your levels. Getting a head start is sometimes wanted, but can also make things worse. I think you are doing the right thing now as you are waiting for that kit to arrive. Just make sure you keep chlorine in the pool. It is usually recommended to add 5ppm of liquid chlorine before you get the kit. That way you can keep chlorine in the pool. 5ppm is because chances are you lose 2-3+ppm to UV in a day and 2ppm to the people goo and whatever funk (algae?) you have in the pool.

 

[Jefwhite]

Yeah, I would stop there. I removed my previous comment of raising the FC as I didn't want to confuse the situation. You must have that test kit to be able to accurately monitor your levels. Getting a head start is sometimes wanted, but can also make things worse. I think you are doing the right thing now as you are waiting for that kit to arrive. Just make sure you keep chlorine in the pool. It is usually recommended to add 5ppm of liquid chlorine before you get the kit. That way you can keep chlorine in the pool. 5ppm is because chances are you lose 2-3+ppm to UV in a day and 2ppm to the people goo and whatever funk (algae?) you have in the pool

thanks for the advice just as soon as I receive the kit I'll give an update on how things are going

 

[Jefwhite]

thanks for the advice just as soon as I receive the kit I'll give an update on how things are going

test kit arrived today. I watched several YouTube videos to make sure I do this correctly. CYA-40, FC-7, CC-0.2
those are the only 3 test I did this evening since I was late getting home from work. I was losing daylight. Still seeing pinkish sand looking stuff sticking to the seams bit it's not much. I feel fairly confident that I did the test correctly. Do you think I should proceed with the SLAM?

 

[reggiehammond]

test kit arrived today. I watched several YouTube videos to make sure I do this correctly. CYA-40, FC-7, CC-0.2
those are the only 3 test I did this evening since I was late getting home from work. I was losing daylight. Still seeing pinkish sand looking stuff sticking to the seams bit it's not much. I feel fairly confident that I did the test correctly. Do you think I should proceed with the SLAM?

Yes - make sure you download and log results in pool math. Those logs are easily visible, if shared.
I think you should trust your eyes - you’re seeing dead algae cells, the most likely thing.

Make sure you read the SLAM process carefully, including the 3 exit criteria.
SLAM Process