Mustard Algae?

[Schaeper]

Is there a test to see if it is in fact mustard algae in my pool? Not fully convinced it's what it is but it comes back in similar spots after brushing and using robot vacuum for the last 3 days. It is only on the horizontal surfaces. You touch it and poof its gone so possibly pollen that hasn't been able to be sucked up by the robot or the filter and just keeps settling back down? Or how does mustard algae react when you touch it? More than likely it's an algae but I don't want to unnecessarily SLAM the pool so I guess I will do the overnight test.

But anyway, if it is algae and I have to SLAM a little confused by this statement... "Test the FC level and add enough chlorine to bring FC up to SLAM level 3-4 times per day." I used the calculator and it says I need almost 5 gallons to get to SLAM level (28 FC). I'm guessing the algae eats the chlorine so thats why you have to keep adding it...but how much chlorine will I know I need to complete this process? I don't want to buy too much as we have a SWG and don't really need it. And on the first day do I just dump all 5 gallons in at once?

This all happened after we came home from a trip and my pools levels were fine (chlorine on the lower end) but it was SUPER dirty....leaves, dirt, dead spiders, etc in it. We have an autocover but I guess it got in at the ends. It heavily rained the night we got back and I checked it the next morning and found a disgusting pool. My kids were home while we were on the trip with their grandparents so they used it a few times while we were gone. First year pool owners so still learning!

Free 3
Combined .2
pH 7.6
Alkalinity 80
calcium 310
CYA 70
Salt 2900

 

[PoolStored]

Is there a test to see if it is in fact mustard algae in my pool?

No.

More than likely it's an algae but I don't want to unnecessarily SLAM the pool so I guess I will do the overnight test.

Good Choice.

But anyway, if it is algae and I have to SLAM a little confused by this statement... "Test the FC level and add enough chlorine to bring FC up to SLAM level 3-4 times per day." I used the calculator and it says I need almost 5 gallons to get to SLAM level (28 FC). I'm guessing the algae eats the chlorine so thats why you have to keep adding it...but how much chlorine will I know I need to complete this process? I don't want to buy too much as we have a SWG and don't really need it. And on the first day do I just dump all 5 gallons in at once?

Test FC, then add enough to get to SLAM level. Wait 2-3 hours, test FC again, add enough to get from that FC to slam level. Each time the amount will be different.

SLAM is shock, level and maintain. You are trying to maintain, so only add what you need from the FC test back to SLAM level.

Free 3
CYA 70

Likely algae...do the OCLT.

 

[Schaeper]

Got back from a trip and our chlorine was low which resulted in some mustard algae spots...a few around the bubblers, a few spots on the steps and a small patch on the floor. Nothing on the sides. Originally I thought it was pollen as our pool was DIRTY when we got back home with random debris despite the autocover being on, but it keeps coming back in the same spots (although not as much) so it has to be mustard algae. I am panicking because the spots came back this afternoon when normally they are just showing back up in the morning. I am going out of town for a trip leaving Friday after lunch and I just want to cry thinking I did all this work & wasted all that money for nothing if I can't keep up with it this weekend! I will be gone until Sunday afternoon. How long is this going to take? Anything else I should be doing to speed this process up?? This is so frustrating! I've been trying to keep up with the almost 40ppm mustard algae shock chart found here: Chlorine/CYA Chart

Here are my notes for everything I've done so far.

9/9 - test before I started SLAM...I also super chlorinated with my SWG until I could go out and get chlorine so the SLAM process started at 11.6ppm.
Chlorine 3
Combined .2
pH 7.6
Alkalinity 80
CYA 63
Calcium 310
Phosphates 4742 (added some orenda pr-10000)
Salt 2900
12k gallon pool
Cartridge filter
Autocover

9/9 10:46pm - 29ppm (have added 4 gallons of chlorine)
9/10 7:21am - 28ppm (added 3 gallons)
9/10 10:09am - 37ppm (ran out of chlorine so couldn't add more yet )
9/10 12:30pm - 27.5ppm (added 3 gallons)
9/10 2:24pm - 45.5ppm (added 1 gallon)
9/10 4:26pm - 40ppm (added 3 gallons)
9/10 7:27pm - 50ppm
9/11 7:01am - 39ppm
9/11 9:10am - 40ppm
9/11 11:17am - 32ppm (added 1 gallon)
9/11 1:43pm - 37ppm (added 1/2 gallon at 2:30ish because I forgot to do it right away)
9/11 5:12pm - 27ppm (added 1 gallon)
9/11 6:38pm - 41ppm

I've brushed 2-3 times a day. Started manually vacuuming today as I just bought one. Cleaned all the pool toys with Clorox cleaner with bleach. It has been really hot out the last couple days here in Northern KY and I have left my autocover off because I didn't want to damage the cover with the super high chlorine levels so I'm sure the sun has been zapping some of the chlorine too. I loaded pics from the first day. I would appreciate any advice! Thank you for reading my novel