Brown Algae or Dirt also Grubs/Mosquito Larva

[odqlesz]

I hope you don't mind me combining two questions in one post.(I'm new).
First I read this post http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1648
several times trying to figure if the problem was actually Brown Algae or Dirt.

I have basically the same problem. The bottom in several spots has brownish/greenish algae/dirt.
If I vacuum it, it appears back the next day.
Not necessarly in the same spot.
I did apply poly 60 and shocked it with bleach. Everything was great for
about three weeks. Now it's back. When I shocked it, the cl was brought
up to around 13.
My question, what is it. That poly is expensive. Should I just try to shock
with bleach. Do I need poly also.
Stats:
29,000 gallons
fc 3
tc 3
ph 7.2
cya 30

Part 2. Came home today, I had thought the kids order some chineese food
and spilled some rice in the pool. Little tiny critters that look like rice were
on the bottom. Not sure what it is. Grubs? Larva? It seemed dead.
It took a while to clean it all up with cart. filter.
Any Idea what it was and how it got there. Hopefully I won't get it again.

[duraleigh]

Confirm that it is algae. Tomorrow AM, scoop some out and rub it between your finger and thumb. Dirt is, of course, somewhat gritty....algae is slimy.

Assuming it's algae, bring your chlorine level up to 15-17ppm and KEEP IT THERE 'til there's no sign of algae for maybe 24 hours (can you test for CC's?)

Next, when it clears, keep your FC level between 4-7ppm and I'll bet it will not return.

Question #2 - no opinion except "Yuk! Glad they're gone!"

[odqlesz]

Dave, It's slimy(algae), now should I apply poly first or just skip
the poly.

I have both Bleach and Leslies Power Powder plus(calcium hypochlorite 73%)
Which one should I use or doesn't it matter.

My test kit just does free and total chlorine and says to subtract them
to get the combined. So according to my numbers it should be 0.

Not to add a third question on, but my test kit has the tablets for the
chlorine test, they say it's better then the drops. Any opinions.

Steve

[duraleigh]

Hi, Steve,

Your call on which Cl source to use...Cal Hypo adds a little calcium to your pool and I didn't see you post test results for it...probably not an issue if your Ca is below 400.

So go back to my first post and get your Cl level up to the 15-17 range. The important thing is to keep it there...probably for 24 hours or so AFTER you detect no sign of the algae.

Then be sure not to let your Cl slip below 3 for maintenance. I'd try to keep it between 4-7ppm.

You may certainly use polyquat. Many folks have good success with it. I have never used it and, so far, I have been able to keep my pool clear with chlorine only.

I have never seen tablets that do a Cl tesst so I cannot comment.

Post back and let us know your results.