Re-occurring ZOMBIE Algae...

[JimK]

If I understand correctly, the "safe" MA at Ace is a diluted version of regular MA. If so, your dosing will be different. Personally, not knowing if there is anything else in the "safe" MA that you might not want in your pool, I wouldn't use it.

[PoolDoc]

Some 'safe' MA's have detergents or other addititives, making them NOT-safe for your pool.

[Waldog]

Thanks everyone! I vacuumed the pool and while doing that I noticed some more algae... not much. I brushed like crazy and then went swimming later.

My birthday suit doesn't fade! LOL

Kept an eye on it all weekend, and so far the algae did not return. I will inspect closer again when I get home this afternoon, but maybe I have beat it back for now.

I need to take a look at the MA that I bought and see what is "exactly" in it. I will post here and see if it needs to get returned for regular MA.

I'd like to borate the pool ASAP. Any suggestions on how much MA to add to start bringing my TA down before doing so? Or as you said PoolDoc I really don't need to worry about it?

[PoolDoc]

I need to take a look at the MA that I bought and see what is "exactly" in it. I will post here and see if it needs to get returned for regular MA.

I'd like to borate the pool ASAP. Any suggestions on how much MA to add to start bringing my TA down before doing so? Or as you said PoolDoc I really don't need to worry about it?

Re MA: check the MSDS; it's likely that will reveal whether there are problematic additives. However, the presence of even the slightest 'sudsing' or soapy bubbles in the MA solution is sufficient reason to keep it away -- far away -- from your pool.

I wouldn't worry about the TA. Just add the borax, and then add MA till your pH is normal. If you have a K2006, you can use the acid demand test to quantify how much MA is needed at any given point. However, I think the "poolcalculator.com" will also give you a useful indication. I would STRONGLY recommend that you (a) use PLAIN 31% MA and (b) never use more than 1/2 of the dose you think you need to fully correct. You can always add more later.

If you haven't already, do read the MA safe handling guide => http://pool9.net/ma/

[Waldog]

Here's the MA that I have... http://www.certol.com/AcidMagicHome.aspx

I'm still looking for what's in it... Should I exchange this for the real stuff?

http://www.certol.com/pdf/Industrial...agic%20SDS.pdf
Shows only - The User Friendly Muriatic Acid!™*
Chemical Name CAS No. Weight-%
Hydrochloric Acid 7647-01-0 Proprietary
The specific chemical identity of this composition is being withheld as a trade secret.

[PoolDoc]

Should I exchange this for the real stuff?

Yes. Mystery ingredients can cause very, very real problems with your pool.

[Waldog]

Yes. Mystery ingredients can cause very, very real problems with your pool.

Oh boy... guess I'll have to exchange it for the real deal... I need another gallon anyways for my borate operations. LOL

So this morning... the bane of my existence has returned. I had small amounts of algae on the bottom of the pool near the walls. Basically where the seam is on these intex type pools...

I'm really at a loss here... FC level is still coming down from 30. I'm at 12. I have still kept adding bleach just to be on the safe side. Other folks are telling me that it may not be algae that it could be pollen.

We have had lots of rain, maybe it's washing off the surrounding trees and collecting on the bottom, I do not know.

I had to drain off waste during a bad rain the other night, so I'm betting my CYA is down to around 30 now. I am tempted to get some powdered shock and see if that will help?

Otherwise, I'm just going to keep my FC high, and keep brushing...