Newbie with ?'s (mustard algae) (Deb)

[river-wear]

Just one question, Brent. What's DE?

[GraceByDesign]

DE = Diatomaceous Earth

[brent.roberts]

DE is as GracebyDesign pointed out, diatomateous earth.

This is a fine powder made of the shells of diatoms... little critters that lived millions of years ago. It has properties like charcoal, which is also used for filters. It is used as the filter media in DE pool filters and gives dramatically better filtering than sand.

Here is a great chart showing the differences
http://www.poolplaza.com/pool-filter-comparison-2.shtml

Dead algae are pretty small and sand filters do not do a great job of getting them out, so adding a bit of DE puts a thin layer on top of the sand and improves the filtering ability. It gets washed away when you backwash so if you like what it does, you need to add a few cups after each backwash.
DE is powder like and will blow around pretty easy, and is not good to inhale so use caution when putting it into the skimmer and watch where the backwash goes ... preferably down a drain.

[topless]

This is exactly the problem I'm having as well. (I'm not far from OK either)
I just ordered my test kit and my wife is heading out to pick up some extra bleach. I have fought mustard algae for the last couple of years.
I use 3" tablets, and if I understand what I've read, that could be part of my problem? I always have low ph and high total alky. I'm so tired of talking to young kids at the pool stores, who just don't know the answers.
I've put so much algaecide in my pool I'm afraid to swim and the algea seems to like it. Last year I used the Banish 2 times and the algae keeps coming back. I just used a quart of Leslie's Copper Algae stuff, let it sit for 2 days, vaccumed to waste, and this morning it looks just like before. At this point I'm ready to try anything.

[brent.roberts]

Hi Topless

Welcome to our forum. You will find lots of knowledgeable folks here that will hand hold you through the process of overcoming the algae.

If you have a couple of pool stores nearby, take a water sample to each and post your numbers here so we can get started. Actually it might be better if you started a new thread of your own when you have some test results, so we can keep the processes separate for you and Debs-pool

[debs_pool]

Well, I'm having to deal with algae again this year. And the constant rain is not making this any easier! But, I knew I'd posted this last year, and I all I had to do was look up this thread!

Thanks so much to all of you moderators and posters who helped me out before. I may be posting new numbers tomorrow. Or do I need to check them tonight too? I've dumped a ton (not literally - LOL) of bleach into the pool.

When I opened the pool early (so I wouldn't have to deal with algae) it was clear - and then - woosh! algae! So, I haven't even gotten to swim yet!

Thanks again for this forum! I appreciate all of you!

[heymom1]

You know, I think there is a lot of this stuff in the air or rain this year. It seems as if the pool stores are doing a good trade in algaecide...Every time I go in, there are scores of folks looking to get rid of mustard algae. Last year I had NO algae whatsoever. This year, another outbreak when we got back from vacation (no one to treat pool while we were gone). But not bad.

So now I know I have to keep the cl level quite high and run that filter 24/7. And get a decent testing kit.

This is a great forum.