Help!!! Apologize in advance the long post but I'll try to keep it brief and without pool test readings.
I've read through all of the threads and it appears I'm one of the lucky few who has a chlorine pool which has been infiltrated by pink algae (slime). Quick history; located in Hudson Valley, NY and for the past 28 years I've maintained my 40'x20' 40k gallon gunite pool fairly successfully and have come to understand pool chemistry with the help of my trusty Taylor test kit and local pool store specialists. Over the past few years, our area has seen a significant increase in rainfall which has been a challenge keeping the pool algae free. We typically open the pool around Memorial Day and close in late September so the swim season is short. This past summer has been absolutely the worse in trying to keep the pool water clear due to the onslaught of gypsy moth / caterpillar Fraz which literally bombarded the pool upon opening. I live in a wooded area and the pool is surrounded by trees. Multiple trips back and forth from the pool store, loaded with shock and baking soda did little to clear up the pool using the SLAM method. On top of that, the pool was heavily stained from metals in the water (ongoing problem for years). To rid the stains, I've done the Ascorbic acid, algaecide, metal sequestrate method several times this summer, then slowly increase chlorine levels to avoid the reappearance of stains. After the pool is nice and blue but not yet clear, a heavy rain would upset the delicate balance and cause algae growth, resulting in another heavy-duty pool shocking, PH balance... rinse repeat. This is the first year I've not been able to see the bottom of the pool but at this point it's not worth the trouble.
The critical problem now is a few weeks ago we had another series of nonstop storms and heavy rainfall but something different has shown up which I've never seen before; pink algae slime. Pool store analyzed water and advised shocking heavily and using algaecide which I've done. They are trying to throw so many chemicals at me that basically has done nothing to mitigate the problem except cost $$$. The pool slime has basically lined the walls of my pool and no amount of shocking, brushing, vac'ing, sand filter back wash is getting rid of this disgusting pink slime. We are a few weeks away from closing the pool for the winter and I'm concerned about doing this with the ever-present pink algae. The only positive is the frogs have basically taken residence and enjoy doing their daily laps.
The plan is to close the pool soon, forget about it over the winter, and drain it completely after opening in the Spring and replace with fresh water. I'm just worried about what kind of mess it will be once it's opened and what needs to be done prior to draining/replacing the pool water. I've also read that pink algae loves taking residence in crevices and pipes and pool filters.... What should I do? Pool store recommended a product called 'Pink Treat Algicide' that will supposedly wipe out the pink algae but based on my research, many have claimed that the Pink Treat will basically convert the pool into a bromide/bromine pool causing it to no longer hold chlorine. Should I roll the dice and try this product? Can I close the pool with little chlorine?
Here are pics of the pool after a fresh brushing; including the pink slime walls. Side note: For several years, I've added granular boric acid to the pool which has been effective in maintaining the PH level and keeping the pool water crystal clear. I did not do it this year due to the many other nature related challenges. I will be receiving a shipment of boric acid this week and plan on adding it to the pool which will hopefully stop (but not remove) the growth of algae. Any advice will be appreciated!
I've read through all of the threads and it appears I'm one of the lucky few who has a chlorine pool which has been infiltrated by pink algae (slime). Quick history; located in Hudson Valley, NY and for the past 28 years I've maintained my 40'x20' 40k gallon gunite pool fairly successfully and have come to understand pool chemistry with the help of my trusty Taylor test kit and local pool store specialists. Over the past few years, our area has seen a significant increase in rainfall which has been a challenge keeping the pool algae free. We typically open the pool around Memorial Day and close in late September so the swim season is short. This past summer has been absolutely the worse in trying to keep the pool water clear due to the onslaught of gypsy moth / caterpillar Fraz which literally bombarded the pool upon opening. I live in a wooded area and the pool is surrounded by trees. Multiple trips back and forth from the pool store, loaded with shock and baking soda did little to clear up the pool using the SLAM method. On top of that, the pool was heavily stained from metals in the water (ongoing problem for years). To rid the stains, I've done the Ascorbic acid, algaecide, metal sequestrate method several times this summer, then slowly increase chlorine levels to avoid the reappearance of stains. After the pool is nice and blue but not yet clear, a heavy rain would upset the delicate balance and cause algae growth, resulting in another heavy-duty pool shocking, PH balance... rinse repeat. This is the first year I've not been able to see the bottom of the pool but at this point it's not worth the trouble.
The critical problem now is a few weeks ago we had another series of nonstop storms and heavy rainfall but something different has shown up which I've never seen before; pink algae slime. Pool store analyzed water and advised shocking heavily and using algaecide which I've done. They are trying to throw so many chemicals at me that basically has done nothing to mitigate the problem except cost $$$. The pool slime has basically lined the walls of my pool and no amount of shocking, brushing, vac'ing, sand filter back wash is getting rid of this disgusting pink slime. We are a few weeks away from closing the pool for the winter and I'm concerned about doing this with the ever-present pink algae. The only positive is the frogs have basically taken residence and enjoy doing their daily laps.
The plan is to close the pool soon, forget about it over the winter, and drain it completely after opening in the Spring and replace with fresh water. I'm just worried about what kind of mess it will be once it's opened and what needs to be done prior to draining/replacing the pool water. I've also read that pink algae loves taking residence in crevices and pipes and pool filters.... What should I do? Pool store recommended a product called 'Pink Treat Algicide' that will supposedly wipe out the pink algae but based on my research, many have claimed that the Pink Treat will basically convert the pool into a bromide/bromine pool causing it to no longer hold chlorine. Should I roll the dice and try this product? Can I close the pool with little chlorine?
Here are pics of the pool after a fresh brushing; including the pink slime walls. Side note: For several years, I've added granular boric acid to the pool which has been effective in maintaining the PH level and keeping the pool water crystal clear. I did not do it this year due to the many other nature related challenges. I will be receiving a shipment of boric acid this week and plan on adding it to the pool which will hopefully stop (but not remove) the growth of algae. Any advice will be appreciated!
