Quote Originally Posted by rox29160 View Post
Maybe you are correct that it is just normal "stuff", it just seems odd that it seems to increase with FC levels. It sounds as though I may just have to vacuum every day to keep it stirred up. Thanks for your help Anna.
Each pool is unique and who knows why that brown stuff invades. You've reported clear and sparkling water and no CCs to speak of. Your pH is a smidge low but that's personal preference. It's 'in range' at any rate.

I know those patches of brown are unsightly and it is frustrating that they come back after vacuuming and/or brushing. In my pool, it only happens during late July/early August. When it's just us here at home, I toss the dogs in to stir things up. When we expect company I might vacuum to make it all look pretty but, more then likely, I'll just let the dogs swim for a while and scoop out the fur before the guests arrive.

Does the bottom of the pool feel squeaky clean? Not slimy? That's one of my hallmarks: a slimy feeling bottom heralds biological invaders and I might dump some extra chlorine in, regardless of what the test says. If the bottom feels clean then I'm going with Occam's Razor: sometimes, a kiss is just a kiss . . . and brown gunk is just part of the pool's life.