Wanted: Mustard algae or suspected mustard algae

[gonefishin]

Pollen vs. algae is VERY easy to distinguish under a microscope. This link shows light microscope pictures of a variety of pollens. Notice that they all have a somewhat solid appearance, are usually round (though not always), sometimes have spikes. This site has lots of pictures of algae which you can see usually have oblong (more rectangular) cell shapes, are more translucent, often form clusters or filaments, etc.

Common mustard algae is Pleurochloris pyrenoidosa. Common green algae is Oocystis sp. Common black algae is Phormidium minnesotense. You can also search on the web for more pictures of these particular algae.

Richard

Doing some searching on Pleurochloris pyrenoidosa I found this article this article on this yellow algae. I couldn't attach a copy of the common mustard algae picture from that article, I'll post the picture over at TFP.

Also...anything in particular to prepare the samples on the slides?




thanks,
dan

[chem geek]

The PDF file which shows the photo better than the link you gave (at least for me) is here. This looks like a scanning electron micrograph so isn't in color and doesn't show the translucent nature you would see with a regular microscope. At least you can see that the cells are a slightly oblong spherical shape.

[hoffmans]

GoneFishin,
*Suspects* have been bound and gagged, packaged and shipped via the USPS this past Friday. They are officially handed over to your protection. Open at your own risk.........


(check your mail Monday & Tuesday)


~Hoffmans

[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

[gonefishin]

GoneFishin,
*Suspects* have been bound and gagged, packaged and shipped via the USPS this past Friday. They are officially handed over to your protection. Open at your own risk.........


(check your mail Monday & Tuesday)


~Hoffmans

Thanks...I'm still waiting on some slides to come in. But I've got them settling in in some glass jars

Thanks...I'll certainly be getting back to you.

dan

[hoffmans]

Do you just need plain glass slides or something special?

[gonefishin]

I ordered some regular plain slides and 10 concave slides as well. In the mean time I was going to see if I can get anything to grow.

dan

[mikemedic]

I added 32 ounces about a month ago and no more. I don't use weekly doses of polyquat but may start. My FC is now at 12 and I am starting to see the crap again. I brushed very well tonight and added 3 qts of bleach. When I think I got the stuff whipped it or something comes back. Can't figure it out. I may take some pics over the weekend and post. maybe it just dirt?
Mike