Help with Pink Algea (I think?)

[JBfromNJ]

I can get rid of this stuff. Some people tell me that it is not even algea, so an algecide will not help. It has a slimmy feel. I have heard that "Yellow" Sodium Bromide is supposed to help, but I have a clorine pool. Very confused and frustrated......... what is this Pink stuff anyway and what do I need to do to get rid of it. Pool has been shocked twice withinh the past 4 days and still no cure. Please advise.

[duraleigh]

JB,

Without a set of test results, we're all just guessing at the nature of your issue. My bet is chlorine will cure your problem but it must be applied at the right dosage and consistently. Post up some test numbers for Chlorine, pH, Alk, and CYA...you'll get lots of help.

[mbar]

duraleigh is right - it can be cured by bleach (chlorine), but you have to know your cya, to know how much you need to take your water up to shock level. I had pink algae a couple of years ago and the bleach did the job.

[waterbear]

Pink algae is actually a bacterial biofilm. Chlorine will do the trick! You need to post a complete set of test results for free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and CYA (stabilizer, cyanuric acid) done with a drop based kit and NOT test strips. Also the finish of your pool (plaster, vinyl, fiberglass) and the gallons. Then we will have a better idea of what is going on in your pool and the best way to treat it. Sodium Bromide will work on it by coverting your pool to a bromine pool for a while but it is not necessary and is one of those cases where the cure is as bad as the disease!
Post the numbers and we will get you on your way to a pool minus pink!:)

[JBfromNJ]

Thanks all for your support and advise. Pool is 25k gallons, vinyl liner inground. Air temp was near 100 for two days in a row when the pink algae was spotted. Before treatment my readings were:

FC 3.0
TC 3.0
pH 7.6
alkalinity
calcium hardness
CYA 65

I first shocked with 2 gallons of 12.5% sodium hypo liquid shock. Developed a good deal of cloudiness that would not disappear. Waited a day and then hit it again with 4 gallons of the same 12% liquid shocked. (going forward how do I figure out how much of this liquid shock to use for rountine maintance?) The cloudiness seemed to have disappated (running sand filter 24/7). Any advise on using polyquat 60% as a preventative? What about the Super Blue clarifier....... any one have any experience with this product? Any input is appreciated......... thanks in advance .

[duraleigh]

JB,

Liquid shock does not shock your pool.....bringing your Cl level to breakpoint and holding it there (with liquid chlorine, bleach, Cal Hypo) is shocking...it's a verb....not a product. If you know this already, my apologies. It's not clear from your post.

Bring your Cl level up to 20ppm and KEEP IT THERE 24/7 and your pool will clear. You do not need an algaecide or a clarifier....you need chlorine.

Ben's "best guess" table will tell you how much Cl to keep in your pool. The bleachcalc will give you the correct dosage. You must test and dose accurately to shock your pool and clear it up.