I am in the middle of my third SLAM this season. I don't think I finished the first one properly, but I was very meticulous with the 2nd one and am trying to figure out why the algae came back. We are about to install a SWG so I want to make sure I have it under control. I have a few theories.
1 - Mustard Algae: I never considered that I may be dealing with it. Our pool gets cloudy when we have an algae bloom but I've never seen it on the walls/floor. Just a cloud of dirt colored dust when I brush. I will follow the proper protocols at the end of this SLAM to eliminate this possibility.
2 - Automatic Pool Cover: I always leave it open during the SLAM to let the pool breathe and to keep the high chlorine levels from damaging the cover. However, is it possible that it is harboring algae? If so, how should I clean it?
3 - Floats: we started using some foam bead floats that may have been used before the first SLAM. Could they have been carrying algae from before? I tried throwing them in the pool during this SLAM to clean them but my husband thinks that they have too large of a surface area to be able to properly decontaminate them. Should we throw them away?
4 - Well Water: we top off our pool every few weeks with well water. Do I need to bring the pool up to shock levels when I do this? Does well water usually have algae in it?
5 - High swimmer load: we host a swim day every week for a bunch of friends. There's about 20-30 kids in the pool for 3 hours. After the last SLAM, I have been very cautious about increasing the FC before the party and treating immediately afterward. I always test a few hours later to make sure there is enough FC for the night. However, my husband thinks this could still be putting too much demand on the chlorine. Thoughts?
TIA for your help! I am determined to get this sorted out and under control!
1 - Mustard Algae: I never considered that I may be dealing with it. Our pool gets cloudy when we have an algae bloom but I've never seen it on the walls/floor. Just a cloud of dirt colored dust when I brush. I will follow the proper protocols at the end of this SLAM to eliminate this possibility.
2 - Automatic Pool Cover: I always leave it open during the SLAM to let the pool breathe and to keep the high chlorine levels from damaging the cover. However, is it possible that it is harboring algae? If so, how should I clean it?
3 - Floats: we started using some foam bead floats that may have been used before the first SLAM. Could they have been carrying algae from before? I tried throwing them in the pool during this SLAM to clean them but my husband thinks that they have too large of a surface area to be able to properly decontaminate them. Should we throw them away?
4 - Well Water: we top off our pool every few weeks with well water. Do I need to bring the pool up to shock levels when I do this? Does well water usually have algae in it?
5 - High swimmer load: we host a swim day every week for a bunch of friends. There's about 20-30 kids in the pool for 3 hours. After the last SLAM, I have been very cautious about increasing the FC before the party and treating immediately afterward. I always test a few hours later to make sure there is enough FC for the night. However, my husband thinks this could still be putting too much demand on the chlorine. Thoughts?
TIA for your help! I am determined to get this sorted out and under control!
