Pool sediment/dirt - verify?

[sas90]

ok - thanks!
i took some pictures this morning and i'm going to try to upload them. one of the pictures is of the steps (you should be able to see the "dirt", sediment, or possibly algae) on them. the light brown discoloration is also on the side/wall of the steps too but i'm not sure you can see it in the picture. i am also going to try to include one other picture of the deep end where you see a line of sediment/discoloration that starts at the top of the wall and runs down onto the floor. there is also an area of the discoloration adjacent to this line.
and, my FC was 3 again this morning, so no loss in chlorine overnight.

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it only allowed me to add the one picture - this is the one of my steps. you can see the sediment (line of dirt or other?) along each step. the light brown discoloration is visible on the wall/sides of the steps but maybe not easily seen in this photo.

 

[Arizonarob]

Stephanie, can you reach into the water and see if that line feels gritty or slimy?

 

[sas90]

yes (i was able to reach the 2nd step), i would say it feels more gritty but it's a very fine grittiness if that makes sense.
i also rubbed a discolored (light brown) spot on the wall/side of the step and it had the same feeling as the wall without the discoloration. i don't really know how else to describe this feeling other than "smooth" to partially rough (my pool is fiberglass)?
does pollen adhere to walls?
i plan to do a SLAM for sake of trying but as i mentioned earlier i don't have any free chlorine loss overnight so with this information i plan to SLAM, brush, vacuum, clean, and run pump non-stop, etc for the at least 24 hours (ensure i still don't have any free chlorine loss) and then follow it with a SLAM based on the "mustard algae" instructions for another 24 hours. if it is algae, my problem should be gone. if the discoloration on the walls is still there, i read where it's most likely pollen because the high concentration of chlorine doesn't affect pollen?
during all of this we have not been swimming because the pool temp is still around 54 degrees. we don't have waterfalls or other water features and we don't have a pool heater. so, other than the vacuum, leaf net, and brush - nothing else has been in the pool other than the natural environment that's blown in the water - lol.

 

[Arizonarob]

If it’s gritty, then it’s most likely fine dirt. We get a lot of that here in AZ in our pools with all the dust flying around. I keep my pool vac in the pool all the time unless we are using it.

 

[sas90]

If it’s gritty, then it’s most likely fine dirt. We get a lot of that here in AZ in our pools with all the dust flying around. I keep my pool vac in the pool all the time unless we are using it.

wow - and, i thought i used my vacuum a lot!

the stuff on the wall i guess is what's in question now but like i said earlier, i plan to SLAM and then follow it with the SLAM instructions for the mustard algae and hope the discoloration gets resolved. if not, i'm assuming it's something that's not harmful and also not addressed by sanitizing adequately.

thanks for your help!

 

[sas90]

i followed the normal SLAM procedure (based on my CYA 40, i took my FC to 16) and kept it there throughout the day (required very little adjustment as my FC stayed near 16, i.e. 15 was the lowest it got). i brushed twice and kept my vaccuum in the pool. This morning, my OCLT was 0 again (it was 0 even before i started the SLAM procedure and my CCs were 0 before i started the SLAM process). The light brown discoloration is still seen in places on the wall surfaces and the discoloration is not dependent on shaded areas.
i plan to do the mustard algae shock level today. although i don't believe the discoloration i see matches the description of the mustard algae.

could this light brown discoloration be pollen given the time of year? if not, what else could it be if my OCLT and CCs have been 0 and my water is clear?

 

[Arizonarob]

It could just be dirt/pollen sticking to your pool. Like I said before, the only thing else I can think of is to cover your pool with a tarp(s) from Harbor Freight for a day or two, and see if it comes back with it covered.

 

[sas90]

It could just be dirt/pollen sticking to your pool. Like I said before, the only thing else I can think of is to cover your pool with a tarp(s) from Harbor Freight for a day or two, and see if it comes back with it covered.

thank you Arizonarob! short of getting the tarp (because then i also need to figure out a way to secure it, remember it can be very windy here, gusts to 40 mph), let's say the discoloration hanging on the walls is gone - then one would suspect dirt/pollen?
but, if it's still there? what other steps would one take to address whatever it is? and, maybe i just follow those steps also since i'm already doing the SLAM and mustard algae procedures? but, i certainly don't think it's mustard algae from reading the description and looking at pictures people have posted on that issue.

I would say my water is crystal clear (see picture that i posted earlier message maybe a week ago trying to show the sediment); just this discoloration keeps showing up every day or so; i brush it, it dissipates (very little or no cloudiness in the area brushed for a brief moment) only to return again. stumped?!

 

[Arizonarob]

If you were to shake the magic 8 ball, I’m sure it would read...”All signs point to dirt”

 

[sas90]

If you were to shake the magic 8 ball, I’m sure it would read...”All signs point to dirt”

lolololol - seems like it's that or something harmless anyway because it still showed up at SLAM level.