Sue's Pool - ? about mustard algae

Hi All,

I've been reading this thread about Deb's mustard algae problems. I've got mustard algae right now also. What a frustrating problem! We had a bad thunderstorm with a lot of wind on July 17th and the next morning I woke up to find my pool water greenish/brown and completely cloudy. Prior to the storm it was perfect, the best our pool has ever been! I added Power Floc to help clear the water (which did finally clear it up somewhat after about 4 days of constant filtering.) After we could see the bottom again we realized that we had gotten mustard algae AGAIN. We have had it every year that we've had our pool (this is our 4th summer with the pool) I've been able to beat it every year with the Banish-VERY expensive!! My pool store was out of Banish so they recommended another product with the same percentage of copper but was a lot cheaper. It has worked to control the algae as our water is now sparkling blue, but every day I still have to vacuum to waste because there is mustard algae settled on the bottom. I have soaked all of my pool equiptment and toys, solar sun rings even bathing suits in the pool water after adding the Banish (as I was told to do by my local pool store) and still the problem exists. After reading the advice you've given to Deb I think my problem is that I only brushed once after adding the algaecide and my chlorine levels are only 1-3ppm. My pH level is usually about 6.8 and my alkalinity is usually in the "high OK" range, (sorry, I don't know the number for that) Are these levels OK? I plan to vacuum to waste again today, add 3 gallons of liquid chlorine shock (that's all I have at home right now) to my pool and BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH!!! I didn't know that the live algae could hide under the dead stuff.

My son has his 17th birthday party tonight and it's supposed to be a pool party so I don't want to add too much chlorine today. When you say to add bleach do you mean like "Clorox" bleach? I have a 20,000 gallon in-ground pool, fyi.

Oh yeah, one other thing I do each time after I vacuum to waste is I backwash my filter and there is so much green in the little clear plastic bubble on the filter. I wait until the water is clear in the bubble before I return to filter mode. Is this algae growing in my filter, too??? Will just adding the chlorine and brushing 3 times a day get rid of this algae? I would really appreciate any advice anyone has for me. I have been working on my pool every day since the 18th of July and I am running out of POP!!!
:)

Thanks for the good advice that I've already read today. Deb-I hope your pool is swimmable soon!

-Sue

Sue,

I tried to answer your post and it wouldn't let me post my answer -- so now I'm redoing my answer! LOL

First, you might want to post this in a "new thread" so people can help with the process for YOUR pool (not that I mind sharing) -- just might help. The people here can help you more if you post some numbers:

Cl
pH
tot alk
cya (this is an important # to get)
cal
Also post what TYPE of pool you have (vinyl, concrete, etc.) and type of filter (sand, DE)

If you don't have a drop based kit (like from Ben at www.poolsolutions.com) you can buy one that will give you the basics from Wal-Mart until you can get a better kit. Also, if you can't do that and you can go to a pool store -- they'll even try to help you if you have to start with #'s from a pool store!
But it's important to post your numbers ASAP -- then the people here can help you the best they can!

Second, Yes, mustard algae is very aggravating and is NOT fun to deal with at all! I too spent money on the $$$$$Banish$$$$ - all it banishes is your pocketbook or wallet! The only algacide recommended here is polyquat (not a brand)

When you add chlorine, it is more effective to add it at night because the sun won't be burning it off.

As far as your party tonight, you'll have to see what everyone recommends. They don't usually recommend that you swim in SHOCK levels -- although I believe someone that posted on my thread said they did that and just had some burning eyes.

YES it can be CLOROX or any type of GENERIC brand - as long as it is UNSCENTED BLEACH. There is a bleach calculator (which I believe there is a link to that in this thread) to help you out also so you'll know how much.

I believe a pH of 6.8 is TOO LOW - I'm thinking it should be between 7.2 and 7.6 - someone else may correct me on this.

You're right BRUSH BRUSH BRUSH -- and BLEACH BLEACH BLEACH -- it'll get better -- I can finally swim in my pool!

The people here are great and have great advice - the moderators are wonderful and I only wish I had found this forum in 2001 when I put my pool in! Oh to think of the thousands I'd have saved! :eek:

Good luck! I have to go vacuum my pool before some friends come to swim!

Hi Deb!
Thanks for replying. I did add the chlorine shock last night after the kids got out of the pool (it was dark outside:) ) and this morning I only had a tiny bit of dark dead looking algae at the bottom of the deep end. I guess all that brushing and the chlorine shock did help!!! YAHOO!

I will get a drop kit today and I'll post the numbers on a new thread. Thanks so much for answering my post, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you're swimming in your pool finally. We are having a heat wave here in Michigan this week so I know we'll be swimming--Guess we'll just have some red eyes:eek: Oh well, it will be worth it.

FYI-I have an inground vinyl lined pool with a sand filter that is 20,000 gallons.

Have a great day!

Sue

p.s. what does cya stand for???

FYI....

One dose of "shocking" does not a cure make. I would bet that you'll need to maintain chlorine @ shock level for a day or two to make sure the algae problem does not reappear. The WalMart test kit does not test for CC, just TC. If convenient, take water sample to pool store and have them test, but DO NOT let them talk you into buying anything. Post the numbers and we'll assist further.

Good luck, and wear goggles!

CaryB

CYA is cyanuric acid which is also called stabilizer. It would probably be a good idea for you to post a complete set of current water testing results taken with a drops based kit. Cary is right - if you go to the pool store to have your water tested, don't let them talk you into buying a bunch of stuff. And she is also right that one dose of shocking won't cure it. Keep at it for another couple of days and run your pump 24/7 for now.

I had mustard algae and had a heck of a time getting rid of it. It wasn't a bloom, but it would grown on walls, steps, etc. and be back the next day or two. What finally worked for me was to add 1 qt polyquat 60, then get chlorine up to 20-25 ppm and hold it there for 2 days, run filter 24/7 and brush a couple times a day. After holding chlorine very high for 2 days I then let the chlorine drop down to 4 ppm, put in another quart of polyquat 60 and it's been fine ever since.

I think the main thing that helped was getting the chlorine up to 20+ for 2 days. Before I would just shock it and let it come down and while it did seem to kill the algae temporarily it always returned later. I have a pebble finish which is worse than standard plaster because this stuff gets into all the tiny nooks and crannies.

good luck.

HI Everyone!

Thanks for the great replies. Today I added a total of 3 gallons of liquid chlorine shock and one calcium based powder shock. I also brushed 2 times. This seems to have the algae in check so far. I will definitely keep up the chlorine levels and will keep BRUSHING, BRUSHING AND BRUSHING!

I went to our local pool store and the drop test only read chlorine levels up to 5! I ended up getting an advanced type of strip test and here are my results...

Hardness-400
Free Chlorine-higher than 10 (very dark purple!)
pH-7.6
Alkalinity-180
cya-30-50 range

One question still...What is polyquat???

Thanks again everyone. Hope you are all enjoying clear, warm, algae free water in your pools...;)

Have a great night,

Sue