Pollen or Mustard Algae?

[4KidsSwim]

Haven't posted for quite a while - things are going generally very well with the pool now that I'm following this forum. Watermom - you are in my prayers and I think of you every time I sit out at the pool with my kids.

My pool is Inground, 23,500 gal vinyl. Yesterday's readings were:

Temp 66 (but today it is 74!!!)
FC 5
CC .5 - it almost always gives me a .5 reading, rarely 0
Ph 7.4
Alk 150
CYA about 35

My water has been remaining blue and "clear looking", except for the daily slight buildup of what appears to be poofy sand. I have finally clued in (after having this all last year) that this may not be dirt but actually Mustard Algae? But I also saw someone mention that pollen can also act like that.

We definitely get lots of pollen in the pool, especially this time of year, from pines all around. I can see the yellowish buildup on the pool cover and even a bit on the wrinkles in the vinyl at the bottom of our pool (I know, I know, a perfect liner installation wouldn't have wrinkles, but we put in our new liner last spring with borrowed water trucks and good friends - who weren't QUITE as particular and careful as I would have been:-)) Anyway, the pollen layers itself on top of the brownish dusty looking particles.

If it is mustard algae, I have been reading about how to treat it, but I want to figure out what it is before I stop the kids from swimming for a week (now that the pool just got warm enough) and start dumping in $$$ bleach.

Thanks!

[Watermom]

Is your FC holding or are you losing lots of it? If you do have mustard algae, your FC won't hold and you will have a CC reading. My guess is that it is pollen. My pool has had way more pollen this year than I remember in previous years and I think I remember reading that several other people here on the forum noted that as well. I would suggest getting a skimmer sock and putting it in your skimmer basket. If it is pollen, you will find it all over the sock and will need to rinse it off. My bet is on the pollen. Let us know what you find out when trying the skimmer sock.

Also, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. One thing this cancer experience is teaching me is to never take people for granted and to enjoy every single minute of every day --- especially those spent with my three wonderful sons who are without a doubt the treasures of my life. Thanks again.

Lisa

[4KidsSwim]

I currently have two distinct layers of dust in my pool - brown looking sediment that "poofs" when brushed, and whitish yellow that I assume to be pollen, that just showed up last week. How can I tell the difference?

I do get a .5 CC reading most every time, and my FC drops several ppm each day but I haven't been tracking that closely to be certain how much. I'll make sure I write it down.

About the skimmer sock - living over 185 miles from the nearest pool store, I'll have to do an online search to find a source for it, so I won't be able to try it for about a week.

So true about the precious minutes - I homeschool my four kids (ages 6-14) and so often find myself wrapped up in the tasks of being the maid (laundry, dishes, lessons) that I forget to take the time to be a mom. Thanks for the reminder. And for taking time to respond!

[Watermom]

You can cut the foot off of an old pair of pantyhose and see if that will fit around your skimmer basket. I have not done that, but some forum members have said that is what they do. I don't know, but I wouldn't think that would catch as much as a skimmer sock because there are more holes in the pantyhose nylon than in the skimmer sock, but I might be wrong. It would at least be something to try if you have no place to buy the skimmer socks or if you do find some place to order them online, you could use the hose in the meantime.

[4KidsSwim]

Thanks - I'll try that while I'm waiting for my order to arrive.

Because I had .5+ CC last evening, I put in bleach to what should have brought it up to 15 (although I didn't go out later and check it). But I started at 8 and added about 2 3/4 gallons for a 23,500 pool.

This morning I have:

10.5 FC
1 CC.
Ph 8 (climbing because so much aerating going on?)
Didn't check Alk but I'm sure its still 150+

I added some muriatic acid - Obviously, I'm not in much danger of my Alk getting too low!

I also put in bleach to bring FC up to 15ppm again - I'll test it at about 2 hours to make sure I made it.

The pool still has layers of very yellow (which is obviously pollent), and more silty brown like it had yesterday. Brushed the pool again.

If this does turn out to be mustard algae (and really - I don't know how to tell) I plan to order Polyquat 60 (I order either from intheswim or waterwarehouse - depending on who has the deal at the time.) I thought I'd start adding a maintenance dose to as a deterrent from this happening again.

Am I on the right track?

[aylad]

It's really hard to tell the difference between the pollen and mustard algae....after pollen has been in the pool for awhile it tends to turn brownish, so what you have in the second layer may just be pollen that's been there a few days. The best way to tell if your chlorine is holding is to measure your chlorine in the evening after the sun is off the pool, then measure it again in the morning before the sun hits it--that way any chlorine loss is due to organics and not sun exposure.

the pollen around here is horrific this year, too--increased filter time will help.

Janet

[4KidsSwim]

Thanks -

I'm losing almost 5ppm FC overnight, redosed this morning, and I lost 6ppm during the day (I was gone) so I have to assume mustard algae. I added more bleach tonight and will check in two hours to make sure it is up to over 15 before I go to bed. I'm finally getting a CC reading <.5, which is some indication of success I suppose.

Since my CYA is around 25, I'll keep my FC at 15 until it holds on its own. I really want to up my stabilizer to 40 to combat our hot sunny summer days here, but I won't until I get this taken care of.

I guess I'll just keep doing the "Pool Forum Algae Removal Formula"...

but first I think I'll buy stock in the manufacturer of WalMart bleach.

Lisa

[shadowman]

As a fellow northwesterner, I sympathize with anyone who gets mustard algae. Our seasons are short enough without dealing with that. Last year was the first time I had to deal with it and it was murder. Because my CYA was so high from using trichlor (no more), I had to shock at very high levels to get rid of it. I was taught, on this forum, that the only way to get rid of it was super-shocking. Polyquat is a good preventative but nothing kills it but chlorine.

Watemom, I have ignored this forum all winter (shame on me) so I just learned of your struggles. Please add my thoughts and prayers to the many that have been offered. You will beat this!!!!