New pool owner… what went wrong?

[Ffg]

Hi! We opened our pool (it’s maybe 40 years old, chlorine, concrete pool). We cleaned it got all the chemicals and balanced it. Everything was going great and then all of a sudden (we hadn’t been using it because we got a few cold days) we notice this black substance (see photos) floating on top of the pool. Can’t seem to vacuum them. Pool bottom is clean. What is that? Thank you

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome to TFP

Looks like smoke/fire stuff.. is there a forest fire or was someone burning brush?

 

[Ffg]

That’s what I was thinking to be honest but I haven’t heard seen or smelt any fires. How would I go about cleaning it? I kept trying to scoop it out but it just felt like it kept coming lol

 

[mknauss]

Is there similar stuff on your patio furniture or other outdoor items?

 

[mknauss]

To remove it, best would be a skimmer sock, hair net, or knee high panty hose stretched over your skimmer basket. Then run the pump to skim the surface.

 

[Oly]

I'm guessing tiny insects or plant debris. Run your pump and check your skimmer to make sure it is working properly and drawing the debis.
Pump speed is important to move the water and the operation of the weir door is critical to overcome the surface tension of the water.
Hair nets over the basket will catch most of it before it loads your filter.

 

[Selenap]

It looks like card board ash. Pick up a piece and see if it disintegrates when rub it. Burning card board will float forever.

 

[Selenap]

Ashes from burning cardboard rather.