Vacuuming Everyday.... -_-

[xewkija]

Hello everyone, hopefully I'm in the correct place to be posting this. I have an in-ground pool which I pretty much vacuum clean everyday till it's spotless. However the next day this dirt type of thing always end up coming back you can see what I'm talking about with the pictures shown.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tripphxc/Pool#5504544010140012866

http://picasaweb.google.com/tripphxc/Pool#5504543995857251762

What exactly is this stuff and is their a way I can prevent it from happening all the time?

Is their some sort of pool product I can put in the pool?

And incase you needed to know, all I use is DE powder and I shock the pool after it rains or after I vacuum the pool when it's really dirty.

So any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank You

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

To me, it looks like what comes out form the filter. Is that area near a return? Whens the last time you backwashed/cleaned out your filter?

[xewkija]

To me, it looks like what comes out form the filter. Is that area near a return? Whens the last time you backwashed/cleaned out your filter?

I backwash everyday and by cleaning the filters do you mean taking out the leaves and dirt out of the skimmers? if thats the case then I do that everyday also, and I'm not too sure what the returns are... if you mean the two jets then yes but all that stuff you see in the pictures is all over the pool, and i just got done vacuuming the pool again.

Just out of curiosity how long should i be running my filters for? like all day/everyday/all night?

Thank You

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

By filter, I was not referring to the baskets. I was referring more to the filter that filters out the water. Is it a sand filter? If so, it could be time for your sand to be changed.

The returns are where your water flows back into the pool when the pump is on.

Running your pump depends on how big you pool is. judging from the pics, I would say a minimum 6 hrs a day.

Also you might want to go into your local pool store with a sample of your pool water and make sure the chemical balance is correct. They can also teach you what should be what for your pool and how to maintain chemical levels. Hope that helps!

[quantumchromodynamics]

It looks like mustard algae.

Can you post a full set of chemical readings and a list of all chemicals that you use?

You should run your filter 24/7 and maintain shock level until the algae is completely gone.

You should not need to backwash every day (sand or DE).

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

It looks like mustard algae.

Can you post a full set of chemical readings and a list of all chemicals that you use?

You should run your filter 24/7 and maintain shock level until the algae is completely gone.

You should not need to backwash every day (sand or DE).

Seriously asking, not trying to be snark. How do get mustard algae from those pics? It just doesn't look like any mustard algae I've ever seen...

[quantumchromodynamics]

Seriously asking, not trying to be snark. How do get mustard algae from those pics? It just doesn't look like any mustard algae I've ever seen...

I have been doing this a long time. It's not something that can be explained other than experience.

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

Seriously asking, not trying to be snark. How do get mustard algae from those pics? It just doesn't look like any mustard algae I've ever seen...

I have been doing this a long time. It's not something that can be explained other than experience.

You really can't tell much from those pictures though, can you? Even when I google it and look at pics it doesn't really look the same. From what I understand, algae can not be "vacuum clean everyday till it's spotless," right?

[quantumchromodynamics]

You really can't tell much from those pictures though, can you?

Yes, I can. Mustard algae has a very distinctive color. I am 99.9 % sure that that's what it is.

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

You really can't tell much from those pictures though, can you?

Yes, I can. Mustard algae has a very distinctive color. I am 99.9 % sure that that's what it is.

I understand what you're saying but as a professional, a little bit more information then what you've given would be helpful. For example, when I've seen it in real life or researched it, its been an almost neon green color and smeared looking. Also, it was on the walls and the ground where the wall met the floor. And I thought you didn't really see mustard algae on vinyl pools? Hers looks vinyl if you look at the wall where the steps are.... Just trying to better understand so it would be helpful if you could tell me more then just "experience" and "it's a distinct color"

[quantumchromodynamics]

For example, when I've seen it in real life or researched it, its been an almost neon green color and smeared looking.

I see neon green in the pictures. Here is another picture of mustard algae.

Also, it was on the walls and the ground where the wall met the floor.

In this case, the mustard has been vacuumed and brushed from its normal locations. Mustard algae is like a dust. The pattern you see is from loose algae falling out of suspension and settling back down

And I thought you didn't really see mustard algae on vinyl pools?

Any pool type can get mustard algae.

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

I see neon green in the pictures. Here is another picture of mustard algae.

I saw this pic too when I was researching. However to me, it doesn't look anything like this

And her water is crystal clear....

And I thought you didn't really see mustard algae on vinyl pools?

Any pool type can get mustard algae.

Of course one can get it any pool but I thought that because of the composition of the vinyl, it was extremely rare to get that type of algae? Same thing with black algae too right? Its more apt to be on a gunite pool b/c there isn't a good surface for it to "cling" to

[Pool Clown]

OK, lets try a test.

Logic says that if you vacuum every day, and every next day you get more,

then if you don't vacuum any more, you will get a build up, right?

So if you don't vac, and it doesn't build up, then its something(DE), by-passing thru the filter, when you are vacuuming, and susequently settling out over night.

But if it continues to build up, it's something growing in the pool.

Edit: I sometimes get that kind of thing at the bottom of the pool after i use a clarifier, but i usually only get it for a day or so then it stops.

Or if, you or one of your neighbors are doing work that puts a lot of dust/ dirt in the air.

In my area, mustard algae shows itself more uniformly on walls (like the second pic in Quantums post), rather than spots on the floor.

[dscriterium]

But if it continues to build up, it's something growing in the pool.

Yep. I believe if OP posts a set of test results, we'll discover his free chlorine has gotten too low and that is dead (but recurring) algae on the pool floor

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

But if it continues to build up, it's something growing in the pool.

Yep. I believe if OP posts a set of test results, we'll discover his free chlorine has gotten too low and that is dead (but recurring) algae on the pool floor

dead but reoccurring? I'm not sure what you mean by this. (Sorry the biologist/chemist in me is coming out). It's either dead and will not continue to grow or it is still alive and growing/multiplying.....

[jkusmier]

Suggest you follow Pool Clown's recommendation - stop vacuuming for a few days and see if it grows. If not, you may have a tear in one of the grids in your DE filter.

[quantumchromodynamics]

And her water is crystal clear....

It's quite common for water to be clear while there is mustard algae. Mustard algae is powdery and tends to not stay in suspension.

Of course one can get it any pool but I thought that because of the composition of the vinyl, it was extremely rare to get that type of algae?

It is not extremely rare to have mustard algae in a vinyl pool.

What is there about the composition of the vinyl that makes you think that mustard algae would be inhibited?

What reference can you provide to support your hypothesis that the composition of the vinyl would inhibit algae?

What scientific explanation can you provide to support your hypothesis that the composition of the vinyl would inhibit algae?

And honestly, this is why I'm sooooooo glad I have a regular pool guy that I totally trust!!!

Ask your pool guy what he thinks it is.

What is your explanation for what this is?

It's mustard algae.

[quantumchromodynamics]

I backwash everyday

You need to disassemble the filter and clean it carefully. Check for any damage, such as tears or rips in the fabric. Your reference to backwashing everyday suggests that you are not operating the filter correctly.