White slimy stuff foating on top of my pool water.

[Scrapple]

Thread title says it all. Normally I would just search for an answer to this question, as I'm sure its been asked before. But the registration process is different from other forums that I have posted and modded on.

I bought this house last August and it has and oval 15x30 above-ground pool. I have no idea how old it is or what brand it is. I have no paperwork for it. Previous owner stopped maintaining it 4 to 6 weeks before I moved in. I didn't get to it for another 2 weeks or so. I never wanted a pool. My wife won't let me tear it down. I've been given so much bad advice by a local pool place. I keep adding all this stuff, but it never seems to get better. If I could get rid of this white stuff, I could probably swim in the pool (which we haven't done yet). I have a simple test kit. I'm tired of pouring money into this pool.

Thanks.

[PoolDoc]

It sounds like "water mold" (aka "pool snot" & some other, worse, names).

As you suspect, it's been discussed before. It may surprise you that I found the most relevant threads, not by using the internal search, but by Googling. For that type of search, Google does much better than the built-in search . . . and that's true for most forums. But many people don't now how to 'localize' their search, by using the "site" operator. Here are two examples; the first one is the one I used; the second used your terms:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Apoolforum.com+"water+mold"
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Apoolforum.com+"white+slimy"+swimming+pool

Obviously, search terms matter, and knowing that that goo is often called "water mold" helps a lot.

Anyhow, here are the two most relevant threads:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/16716
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/16797

I will point out that a Taylor K2006 is almost essential, in order to manage the high chlorine levels needed to clean that goo up, and you'll also need accurate CYA (stabilizer) test results, which strips cannot provide.
http://pool9.net/tk/

Finally a KEY point: if you've used ANY non-chlorine sanitizers or algaecides in your pool, you need to ID those in DETAIL, before you start following the chlorine based clean-up described. If you mix chlorine and PHMB (Baquacil) you're gonna mess up your pool spectacularly!

And, if you could do us a favor, I'd be grateful. We don't have any decent photos of pool snot -- partly because it's rather difficult to photograph. If you've got the skills, I'd LOVE to have some decent pictures of that mess.

Good luck!

[Scrapple]

Thanks for the info. I have used other products to try to rid the goo. I will make sure to check what exactly is in them. The best way to describe what I have is to say that it looks like someone blew dandelion "wishers" into my pool. I will try to get a good photo of my goo.

[Scrapple]

Unable to get good pics of the goo. I ordered a good test kit today. I shocked the pool again today hoping to kill everything. Tested my water (with my basic test kit), chlorine reads off the chart. The kit only goes to 3 (as opposed to 11 ;) ).

Recent chemicals added to pool:

Sodium Dichloro-s-Trianzinetrione Dihydrate
Calcium hypochlorite
Sodium carbonate
Copper ethanolamine complex
Staintrine (no ingredients listed)(I'm scared)
Pool Perfect (again, no ingredients listed)

The last three listed have only been used once. I managed to skim some of the slime off. Still looks like I have a clear oil slick on the top of my water. Hoping for better results tomorrow. Supposed to have nice weather this weekend (finally) and I would like to be able to use the pool. Hopefully I can kill whatever is alive and trash vac before weekend.

Thanks for the help :)

Kevin

[PoolDoc]

1. Run your filter 24/7. Clean as needed, but NOT more than that.

2. Make SURE you have no chemicals, feeders, or devices between the skimmer and the filter. If you still have cal hypo, regular small doses with that IN THE SKIMMER will help capture copper that may otherwise stain the pool.

3. Your chems, in order, are:
+ dichlor
+ cal hypo
+ soda ash (pH UP, washing soda)
+ chelated copper algaecide (chlorine releases it to form stains)
+ HEDP (chlorine resistant metal chelant -- eventually breaks down and forms phosphates)
+ mystery enzyme -- probably doesn't hurt anything.

[Scrapple]

Thanks for the info!

So, run the filter until the slime is gone, then resume the normal schedule? I have no chemicals between the skimmer and filter and I don't use tabs. How small is a "small dose?" Half the recommended dose for a pool my size? And how regular should I be dosing? I always add dichlor and cal hypo directly to skimmer.

My pool is 15x30 above-ground btw. My pump is a 1 HP Hayward ProFlow XL that sounds like its on its deathbed. Just had a new pump seal and impeller installed. Looking back, I probably should have just replaced it.

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

+ 1/2 the normal dose would be good.

+ If you add BOTH dichlor and cal hypo via the skimmer, make SURE to clean up any granules that don't make it. Cal hypo reacts badly with EVERY other form of chlorine, except maybe bleach. (But I haven't tested that)

+ Sounds like you need the "Sight-flipper" -- it turns hindsight into foresight. My understanding is that they are rather rare, unfortunately. ;)

[Scrapple]

I didn't know about the reaction between the two. I am careful to make sure that all the granules make it through the skimmer.

So it is still ok to add dichlor several hours after adding cal hypo?

When is it ok to shut the pump off? I can see stuff floating near the bottom of my pool that gets stirred up when the pump is turned on. I have another pump question, but will ask in the appropriate forum.

[PoolDoc]

+ An hour separation time is fine IF the pump is ON.

+ Don't turn the pump off during clean up.

[Scrapple]

Best direction to point the flow nozzle in the pool? Mine is pointed toward the surface and toward the wall to get counterclockwise flow to the skimmer.

[Watermom]

Depends on what you need. If you are trying to skim floating things off the water surface, then upwards as you described. But, if you are adding chemicals, I think it is better to aim it more downward.

[PoolDoc]

There's no standard answer to that question. From what little I've played with it, slow circulation is best. If you get a whirlpool going, stuff moves to fast for the skimmer to catch it.

[Scrapple]

I think we have the pool in good shape now. I think the floating stuff is airborne and landing in the pool. Thanks for your help :)

[PoolDoc]

Really?

Cottonwood?

Your IP address says you're around Phillie. Is that right?

Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is pretty uncommon there, as it is here. But it will grow, and I've located a couple of stands. Good grief those seeds go EVERYWHERE.

[Scrapple]

I'm about 40 miles from Philly. I don't know what the stuff if. I'll try to get a picture.

[PoolDoc]

If it's cottonwood fibers, you should be able to net it with a fine kitchen strainer.

[Scrapple]

Most likely pollon. Disappeared after we swam today.

[PoolDoc]

Darn. Mystery un-solved! :(