Wanted: Mustard algae or suspected mustard algae

[aylad]

How do I measure borates? I have a taylor test kit K2006 I believe, and if I add borax will this not jack up my PH?

You have to buy the borate strips separately...Accucheck has some out, and I believe LaMotte might have some, too. If you add the borax, it will jack up the pH...you'll have to counter the pH rise by adding muriatic acid so that your pH stays within normal ranges, just the borates increase.

Janet

[gonefishin]

I'd still like any samples that people can get me. If you have a deposit suck it up in a squeeze bottle and send it to me. I'll take a look at it under the microscope and see what we can tell.




dan

[hoffmans]

Dan,
Sure thing. Brown crud on the way shortly. Will probably mail it out on Friday.
Got your email. Thanks

~Hoffmans

[gonefishin]

Dan,
Sure thing. Brown crud on the way shortly. Will probably mail it out on Friday.
Got your email. Thanks

~Hoffmans

LoL!

brown crud...


dan

[hoffmans]

Did I miss something on this whole Borates issue?
I don't know squat about Borates. Why do I want Borates?
Is there something beneficial about having borates in my pool?


hmmmm.......

~Hoffmans

[chem geek]

See this thread for more on using Borates in the pool -- not for making the pH rise, but for use as an algaecide. 30-50 ppm Borates is the recommended amount for that purpose and to get to that amount you add acid along with the 20 Mule Team Borax.

The only apparent downside is that it is "on the edge" for the level of first symptoms for toxicity in animals such as dogs, if they drink a lot of pool water (i.e. every day).

Richard

[Tredge]

Just a funny side-note:

It took over 30 boxes of 20 Mule Team to get my pool to 50ppm.....I bought out Super-Walmart twice. When I made it to the counter (Shopping cart was Heavy!) the checkout lady gave me a funny look.

I asked "My Wife sent me, Does Borax work on Blood Stains?"
Her Eyes widened a bit and before she got too nervous I said...."Just kidding, I have a Pool."
OH! she said with relief.

[mikemedic]

Just wanted update all on my mustard algae.

I have kept my FC above 11. I did add polyquat several weeks ago but it seems the crap came back or suspected M algae came back. So i have kept FC above 11. Usually about 14 ish. Water has looked great! No residue on the bottom etc. I think I will keep my FC until mid sept.

I think I kicked it's Butt !

[chem geek]

Congratulations on winning your battle!

So it does seem that the rule of maintaining a minimum FC of 15% of the CYA level (so 10.5 ppm FC or around 11 ppm FC at your 70 ppm CYA) does seem to work for yellow/mustard algae. This is double the rough minimum FC of 7.5% of the CYA level for green algae (corresponding to the "Min" column in Ben's chart).

Some other users had success using PolyQuat 60, but had to maintain a weekly maintenance dose of it -- not a one-time treatment. It apparently helps slow-down growth, but does not kill all the algae, and may also need at least some chlorine level as well. Did you do a one-time dose or did you do an initial dose and then weekly maintenance doses thereafter? I'd like to get more data on this PolyQuat use (and Borates as well as this has also helped some, but not all, pool owners against yellow/mustard algae).

Richard