Dubosity's Thread: Lost in Cloudiness/Mustard Algae Hell

[Watermom]

Hello and welcome. I wish you hadn't added that sodium bromide, ugh. That may complicate things. Your CYA is really high. In fact, test kits can't differentiate higher than 100, so in all reality, your CYA may be much higher than 100.

A few questions. What type of pool is this and what is the volume? What type of filter and what size pump do you have? What have you used in the past for your source of chlorine? Anything else you have added? Be specific --- not product names, but ingredients.

We're probably going to need to let Ben help you with this one since you added the Bromide. That makes this situation different than most people have and he will have the most info about how to handle this. But, he is kinda busy today and may not get to this for a bit. So, please sit tight. I'll let him know that we need him to jump in on this thread.

In the meantime, take a look at the following link:
http://www.poolsolutions.com/tips/on...mine-pool.html

Again, welcome. We'll help you get this cleared up!

By the way --- take a look at the Amazon link in my signature line below. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which is the same kit only with larger bottles of the most used reagents. This kit will do everything you need it to and will make your pool maintenance easier.

[PoolDoc]

Hi Dubious;

I'm on my way out the door, so I can't answer fully. But here are some quick points:

+ Do not trust your pH right now.
+ Go to Walmart or where ever and get a cheap OTO / phenol red test kit. If the OTO shows orange, your pH test is probably meaningless.
+ If Walmart has polyquat, get some ( Polyquat ) and use it. It's one of the few things that will help in your current situation, without risking making things worse.

. . . my wife is saying "you'll have to finish when we get back!"

. . . ben

[Watermom]

That is the only type of algaecide that we recommend. Do not buy anything other than that one. Some other types will complicate things and cause foaming problems and add other unwanted ingredients.

[Dubosity]

I cannot thank you enough for responding so quickly! I can't tell you what a relief it is to feel that I have real support out there. Truly...I'm moved to tears.

Watermom, you asked a few questions:
What type of pool is this and what is the volume? Outdoor (uncovered; in-ground, gunnite), ~30K gal.
What type of filter and what size pump do you have? The filter is a pleated, papery, upright, cylindrical cartridge (not sure if this is helpful, but I do know that the contractor said recently that he thought it was probably too small for the pool) - we clean it at least once/week; pump is 230 hp and ~15 amps.
What have you used in the past for your source of chlorine? I moved in 1 year ago and during that time have only ever used trichlor tablets and occasional liquid (unstabilized) chlorine.
Anything else you have added? Be specific --- not product names, but ingredients: The only thing other than what I've already mentioned is a couple months ago, we added a TA reducer, 93.2% sodium bisulfate.

I did go out today and purchase a Taylor CYA drop-test (to add to my K-2000 kit). It tested at 100 (at least that is when the black dot became just barely visible; the point at which I could not see it at all was 120 - I'm not sure which is the correct reading.

In case it helps: Today the pool is looking blue (no green tinge at all), but is still cloudy.

Thank you, again, for all your help!! I'll definitely check out those links.

[Dubosity]

And thank you, Ben, for taking the few moments you had to respond! I'll check and see if Walmart has the Polyquat. Is the OTO/phenol red different than the phenol red reagent that comes in the Taylor test kit?

Also: I don't know if this is significant, but I've NEVER been able to get an accurate chlorine reading. I do know that right now it is really, really high (since we just added 2 gals yesterday).

Ugh. I had a bad feeling about adding the Yellow-Out and I did it anyway. When will I learn to trust my gut?

[PoolDoc]

Just got back, trying to hurry through things and get users upgraded and posts moved.

But . . . Taylor pH test is fine -- however you do NEED the OTO chlorine test. It's not very precise, but it's very dependable. And, given your difficulty with chlorine readings, we need the info from a DEPENDABLE test.

Ben

[Dubosity]

Hello again,
I was able (finally) to find the OTO chlorine test. It is definitely an orange result...and it has stayed orange even after 5 minutes. (Does this mean my combined chlorine is also really high?)
I cleaned the filter this morning. It had a lot of green in it, but not quite as much as previously.
The pool looks very blue, no green tinge, and pretty clear (though still just a bit cloudy in the deep end). I do see about 6 circular spots of what I believe is mustard algae right in the middle of the shallow end; when I brushed them, they plumed up and dispersed.

I could not find Polyquat, without other ingredients (like clarifier) added. :-( I went to 3 different stores...Walmart, Lowes, and Pinch-A-Penny pool supply. Any suggestions? Do you think I still need it?

I await your response with bated breath. :-)
Thank you!!

[Dubosity]

One more question: Is it safe to swim?