Re-occurring ZOMBIE Algae...

[Waldog]

LOL

But seriously... Here's what I have
18x48 Summer Escapes with Intex 2650 Sand Filter currently using the "TFP Method".
Came over here for help as it seems there are some personality conflicts and no one has responded. :/

Anyways, Hopefully there are more like minded folks here is all I can say.

I'm calling it ZOMBIE ALGAE because it's keeps coming back to life!!!

Put the pool up Memorial day weekend, filled from water truck as we are on a well.
Started using the TFP / BBB Method and all has been good... until... July 4th weekend.

Contracted the dastardly algae bloom after the July 4th weekend. SLAMMED / SHOCKED (whatever you want to call it) and tested afterward had "0" cc's at the end.

I've been using Tandil 64OZ 8.25% bleach from Aldi and my CYA has been 50-60.

All was well for a couple weeks. Fast forward to LAST WEEKEND.

FC LEVEL was 12 when I checked it Sunday morning. Went to the store. Came home a few hours later, and the bottom of the pool was covered in ALGAE. UGH.

Ran tests, started SLAMMING / SHOCKING. Got FC up to 24.
Next morning (Monday) Algae is back! re-tested FC 12, added more bleach.
Went through the cycle til Wed, and CC got to .5 stopped SLAM/SHOCK all looked good.

Came home yesterday all was good. Did some yard work, and went to add some bleach for my "daily dose" and guess who's back!? ZOMBIE ALGAE.

This whole time my FC has not dropped below 12!!!! This is crazy!!! I'm starting to wonder if someone has stock in bleach... LOL

I am not sure what else to do... other than add BORATES. I posed this question elsewhere and I was told not to do it until my SLAM was done. I fail to see HOW that would be relevant, or cause issues.

If borating will slow the NEW algae why not? I have calculated out what I need for my pool and it's roughly 5 boxes of mule team and 1.5 gallons of MA.

Currently my TA is 140... that's a problem... I understand I need to lower it before adding the borates...

I have "safe" MA from Ace Hardware. Is this OK to use for borating? No one seems to want to or be able to ask my question elsewhere.

I do not understand where the algae is coming from. I have removed my steps. I threw all the pool toys in and have been flipping them to coat them in FC... I did not have this problem until after July 4th weekend. BTW, I have been brushing the bottom and sides before and after bleach additions.

We have had CONSIDERABLE amounts of rain here in Florida the past 6 weeks, and I've been using it to my advantage to backwash. My rain gauge has been emptied 3 times at almost 5" full, so we've had close to 12-15" of rain.

I've read people SWEAR that rain does not cause issues but I am not sure what else to think.

Also, my PH has been steady at 7.5, and my last test was 7.2. How can this be if my TA is at 140?

I suppose I need to use the MA I have to lower my TA, and I will need more MA for borating.

So my questions are:
Am I doing something wrong? Does algae come back like this? It's not an all out infestation, but it's just wisps of it on the bottom of the pool

Can I borate and will that help me get a leg up on this? Or is there a logical reason to wait until I clear the pool? (assuming I will be able to)

Am I dealing with mustard algae? As I understand it, borates will not help with mustard algae....

BTW, I have a TF-100 test kit. And I have been running my pump non stop basically since the 4th to keep the pool clear and circulating because this has been ongoing.

Any help or advice you can provide would be great. I would like to make this a lot easier to maintain, but at this point I have went through 4 cases of bleach in two weeks and this does not seem cost effective for what is not even a full out algae bloom!!!

Please help!

Oh and my only other theory is that my bleach is "weak" old...?

Thanks!