+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Yellow mustard algae & Yellow Out vs Yellow Treat vs Mustard Master

  1. #1
    angiedubberke is offline Commercial pool users, operators, owners angiedubberke 0
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    4

    Default Yellow mustard algae & Yellow Out vs Yellow Treat vs Mustard Master

    I take care of a 60,000 gallon swimming pool. There is no evidence of yellow mustard or any algea in my pool the pool is crystal clear and tests perfectly. We have a chemical called "Yellow Out" . I have been told to use the Yellow Out as a precautionary tool to work against getting yellow mustard. I have read about the product and know that it is supposed to be used with chlorine. I also think its going to make my clear water cloudy. This doesn't make any sense to me. Any thought??
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 08-21-2014 at 04:41 PM.

  2. #2
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Yellow mustard

    Yellow Out is an ammonia salt, probably ammonium chloride. I think they used ammonium sulfate at some point over the product history, but I don't believe that's the case now.

    If you follow the instructions on the bottle, AND raise the pH to 7.8+, you'll end up with 2 - 3 ppm of monochloramine in the pool. Monochloramine is the least irritating of the 'simple' chloramines or combined chlorines that the swimming pool industry talks about. It is VERY effective against mustard algae.

    BUT . . . being LESS irritating than dichloramine or nitrogen trichloride, is NOT the same is not being irritating. 2 - 3 ppm is somewhat irritating to all swimmers, and extremely irritating (severe itchy skin rash) to some. As a result, you'll have to close the pool while it is in use. Then you'll have to shock repeatedly to remove the monochloramine. Also, if you have an ORP system, you'll have to disable it while the Yellow Out is in use.

    Using it as a precautionary measure is not even something that I think the maker would recommend. It's effective in removing mustard algae IF you follow directions PLUS raise the pH. But if you use it, you need to be ready to pay the piper, with respect to the severe side effects.

    Bottom line:
    1. Monochloramine is VERY effective at killing algae,
      whether you produce it using Yellow Out or aqua ammonia (like old-time service guys did).

    BUT:
    1. You cannot swim while it is present.
    2. It is hard to remove from the pool.
    3. It tends to be a TEMPORARY fix, with mustard algae returning quickly.


    =====================================

    General note:
    • There are 2 common types of mustard algae treatment: ammonia-based and bromide-based.
    • Yellow Out, Mustard Master, Stop Yellow, etc are ammonia based treatments.
    • Yellow Treat, etc are bromide based.
    • Ammonia treatments generate chloramines (combined chlorine). IF you follow directions carefully, monochloramine is predominantly produced. Otherwise, you may produce dichloramine or even nitrogen trichloride, which are ineffective algaecides and even more irritating than monochloramine.
    • Ammonia based treatments work as described above.
    • Bromide based treatments convert chlorine pools to bromine pools, at least temporarily.
    • This conversion either partially or completely prevents the chlorine stabilizer in the pool from working.
    • The result is greatly increased loss of chlorine to sunlight.
    • Eventually, continued additions of chlorine convert the bromide to bromate, which is inactive.
    • It may take weeks or months to fully convert the pool BACK to normal chlorine operation.
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 05-07-2018 at 05:06 PM.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. CYA over 100 with yellow/mustard algae
    By MikeM in forum Dealing with Algae & Slime
    Replies: 56
    Last Post: 06-02-2015, 11:06 PM
  2. Yellow mustard
    By angiedubberke in forum Commercial Pool Users, Managers & Workers
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-04-2014, 12:52 PM
  3. Help determining what yellow is on pool liner - possible mustard algae?
    By hapandpam in forum Pool Chemicals & Pool Water Problems
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-18-2013, 04:38 PM
  4. A Total Cure for Mustard, Yellow Algae (NOT! PoolDoc)
    By Thawk_Pools in forum Dealing with Algae & Slime
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-06-2010, 09:26 PM
  5. Mustard/Yellow Algae Help PLEASE!
    By SandyDittmer in forum Dealing with Algae & Slime
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 09-30-2007, 07:13 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts