Not really sure what this is...

[howbout]

Thanks for the reply...still not sure what it WAS but it's gone now. I ran my barracuda all day yesterday then shocked and ran the pump (not with the barracuda) all night long and this morning it was clean again. I am GUESSING it was just fine dirt/silt or something, b/c I don't think an algae problem would have cleared up THAT fast (I have dealt with algae before). It was super cloudy yesterday and honestly is sparkling today, so go figure

But I'll take it!

Thanks again!

Oh - I have a regular filter pump, not sand.

[matt4x4]

I'll bet you that within days, it will reappear. What you have is mustard algae, it starts as a fine yellow/brown layer almost like clay dust and will show especially in any crevices.
Currently, you've suspended it by running the barracuda, it will settle and grow quickly on you.
The ONLY way you can get rid of it without fighting it for months and months is if you shock really high for 3-4 days, by really high, I mean getting your free chlorine up to 20 - 25 ppm and keeping it there, while running your vac to suspend the algae and allow the chlorine to completely surround it and kill it off.

Others will chime in here and disagree with me, some others will want numbers before they will give advice, but the only thing that's going to work for you right now (whether ph and alk is high, low or indifferent) is shocking the heck out of it.

You can follow my advice or not, up to you, but this past summer, a number of people had this algae and the only way they managed to get rid of it is the way I posted above.

[howbout]

I'll bet you that within days, it will reappear.

The ONLY way you can get rid of it without fighting it for months and months is if you shock really high for 3-4 days, by really high, I mean getting your free chlorine up to 20 - 25 ppm and keeping it there, while running your vac to suspend the algae and allow the chlorine to completely surround it and kill it off.

Thank you for your post, but as I stated, I shocked the pool and ran my barracuda. This was well over a week ago. The pool cleared up and has been crystal clear since. I have not had to shock it again, just maintain the balance. The pool looks beautiful.

[matt4x4]

You probably got your chlorine levels high enough and caught it at the beginning stages, excellent to hear it's cleared up, at least you'll know what to do immediately the next time you see it - this particular one can get nasty.

[howbout]

You probably got your chlorine levels high enough and caught it at the beginning stages, excellent to hear it's cleared up, at least you'll know what to do immediately the next time you see it - this particular one can get nasty.

I hope you are wrong and it wasn't algae but...I had shocked it and ran the barracuda for about two days straight so maybe that IS what did it...in any case, I am just happy the solution was so simple this time around! Thanks for your info in case I ever need it again! (Crossing fingers I DON'T )