The dreaded mustard algae-i think

[ShrinerManSC]

I started my first SLAM on my pool yesterday. The pool was cloudy and it seemed to have sand in it. There is a lot of sand in the yard. I now believe it is mustard algae.

Here are the starting test results:
June 29 7 pm
FC 15 (I had turned the SWG up being in denial of needing to slam)
Cc .5
Ph 7.6
TA 90
CH 300
CYA 50
Salt 3000 (SWG is off)
I also back flushed the sand filter and the pressure is staying consistent at 8
So I added enough bleach to slam target of 20 ppm

9 PM last night (After brushing the pool and vacuuming with the Dolphin)
Fc 20
Cc .5
Cya 50

At 8 am I went out to the pool and saw 'yellow' stuff in several areas of the pool. So i brushed the pool and took a chlorine reading fc of 18.5. I used pool math and added the recommended chlorine. I vacuumed the pool again with the dolphin.
I again tested at about 1230 and here are the results.
Fc 19
Cc just slightly pink
Cya 50

Should I be testing for anything else during the SLAM? I believe I read concentrate on FC readings.

I am getting ready to brush and vacuum again. And take readings also.

A couple of questions regarding the Dolphin, my brush and skimmer etc. How do you recommend cleaning them to make sure I don't contaminate the pool as I go along ths process.

I have read so much my head is spinning. If I need to make adjustments, please let me know.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Here is the bleach I am using.
Also a picture of the ‘yellow’ stuff.
Thanks all!

 

[ShrinerManSC]

5pm brushing done. Dolphin is vacuuming.
Fc down to 15. Calling for 364 oz of bleach. I’ll be adding and trying to get one more test tonight. And at least another brushing.

 

[mknauss]

Look for a different bleach. Cloromax is a chlorine resistant polymer that you do not want in your pool.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Ok. It is confusing with all of the different ones now. I thought this was going to work. It’s tough finding any ‘regular’ bleach.

 

[mknauss]

Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, etc carry 10% liquid chlorine/shock in most areas.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Look for a different bleach. Cloromax is a chlorine resistant polymer that you do not want in your pool.

How bad will it be if I don’t add anymore and can find something else? Will it damage the fiberglass or the equipment?

 

[mknauss]

If you are not seeing any foaming or plugging of your filter (you have a sand filter so that is good) you can use it. It is just something we warn people of as many times it makes the pool foam up, plugs cartridge filters, and leaves a sticky scum at the water line.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, etc carry 10% liquid chlorine/shock in most areas.

Lowe’s didn’t have it. I’ll run to HD. I think Ace maybe closef

 

[ShrinerManSC]

If you are not seeing any foaming or plugging of your filter (you have a sand filter so that is good) you can use it. It is just something we warn people of as many times it makes the pool foam up, plugs cartridge filters, and leaves a sticky scum at the water line.

No foaming yet. Filter is staying at 8 psi. Thanks so much.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

No foaming yet. Filter is staying at 8 psi. Thanks so much.

830 PM update
Fc 21
Cc slightly pink
Cya 60 (maybe because the sun had went down?)

Pool is still cloudy on the deep end. The shallow end looks really good.
There isn't much debris coming out of the Dolphin vacuum.
Filter pressure is holding at 8 psi.
I didn't get to brush again since I went to get the correct bleach. I found it at Home Depot. Thanks knauss so very much.
I'm curious to see what i get in the morning. Can't wait to get back in the pool!!

 

[mknauss]

If you can see the bottom of the deep end, you can swim in the pool. As long as the FC is at SLAM level or below.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

If you can see the bottom of the deep end, you can swim in the pool. As long as the FC is at SLAM level or below.

Great. Thanks again.
Test results 830 am fc 18. Added 2 quarts of bleach according to pool math. Cc is 0 and cya still 50.
Brushed pool and the dolphin is vacuuming.

the water is much clearer, I feel I am making progress.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Testing, vacuuming, brushing today.
Here are tests:
8 am
Fc 18
Cc 0
Cya 50

2:30 pm
Fc 18
Cc 0
Cya 50

after the above test, we got a down pour. I decided to retest since the pool level went up-we have an marker to check out the pool level

330
fc 18

each time the pool math said to add 2 qts of bleach. This was done after each test.

after the rain, when I went to get my pool water sample, I noticed something on top of the pool water. I believe based on descriptions it is mustard algae. I am attaching a picture of anyone can tell what it might be.
Is there anything else I should be doing? I really appreciate any suggestions. We are supposed to have rain all day tomorrow. I will keep on keeping on even if it does rain 🌧

 

[mknauss]

Read Mustard Algae - Trouble Free Pool

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Read Mustard Algae - Trouble Free Pool

I just read this again. So reading it, since I am at shock level, this is not mustard algae. At least that is the way I interrupt it. This appears to be moving on the surface of the water and it is brown in color. May I ask if I am correct that it is pollen? Sorry, I just want to make sure I am going the correct path. Thanks Marty!!

 

[mknauss]

Does not appear to be MA to me either. That is why I posted the link to the article.

Could be pollen or some other organic. What else are you seeing on your pool deck, furniture, cars, etc?

 

[ShrinerManSC]

Does not appear to be MA to me either. That is why I posted the link to the article.

Could be pollen or some other organic. What else are you seeing on your pool deck, furniture, cars, etc?

I am really not seeing anything on the pool deck etc. I know this seemed to come after the rain. Or maybe I just didn't notice till then. I am on a corner lot, we have open fields and a grape vineyard across the road. We are also close enough to the river that we can hear the boats, ski-doos etc. on the water.
I guess I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. I had seen this earlier in the season and it seemed to just disappear. And then the pool started getting cloudy and dark. That is when I knew I was going to have to SLAM it. This is my first time doing a SLAM and I have never owned and maintained a pool before. This is our second season. Last year we had a guy come and vacuum and test. Reading the stuff on TFP I didn't agree with what he was doing so I decided to take over myself. The learning curve is huge!! Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed. Then day two, seeing the pool looking so much better, I feel like I must be doing something correct.

It seems that there is something that the bleach is killing since I am loosing about 2 ppm every 4-6 hours.

Does the MA look like yellow mustard when the bleach kills it? I have had patches of it on the steps and the bottom of the pool during the SLAM process.

 

[mknauss]

MA forms on the walls of the pool in shaded areas.

 

[ShrinerManSC]

MA forms on the walls of the pool in shaded areas.

Hmm. Still trying to figure out what this might be then??