Mustard Algae Information
Mustard Algae is one of various types of algae around at the moment that can be hard to eradicate from your pool. The swimming Pool Shop in the Flagstaff Shopping Centre in Hamilton can help - we have the expertise and all the recommended products availible immediately and can make house calls if required.
BRING YOUR WATER SAMPLE TO THE SWIMMING POOL SHOP FOR A FREE TEST
1. First you must determine if the problem is in fact a mustard algae problem. If the pool clouds up when brushed, if it is yellow/brown or greyish in colour and seems to keep getting worse, or if it doesn't go away when brushed is one indicator. The main indicator along with this is that the chlorine is not able to maintain any lifespan in the pool no matter how much you put in, then mustard algae is probably your problem.
2. The first action to take is to vacuum any settled sediment from the bottom of the pool to waste β not through the filter
3. Check your pool PH level to ensure it is in balance as chlorine works most efficiently when the PH is in balance
4. You need to shock the pool pretty heavily (usually triple times a normal shock treatment). Depending on the type of shock you use will determine how it is added. For all types Swimming Pools with sand filters we recommend a heavy Chlorine product such as Bio Guard POWERCHLOR. This needs to be done in conjunction with an approriate algaecide - its the combination that's needed to break the algae cycle in the pool.
5. For pools with cartridge filters we recommend a Calcium based product such as POOL TREAT (but not if itβs a salt pool) - This must be pre-dissolved first, the liquid poured in the swimming pool and the remaining sludge should be disposed of - It is important NOT to put the sludge in the pool as it could cause other problems with the pool and filter.
THE OBJECTIVE IS TO GIVE A HIGH INITIAL SHOCK BUT THEN TO MAINTAIN THE CHLORINE LEVEL ABOVE 3 PARTS PER MILLION WHILE THE ALGAE IS PRESENT. SO KEEP TESTING THE WATER REGULARLY
6. You also need to add Algaecide. The best product to use is MSAII or ALGIZINE because they contain copper. Read the label instructions, but add a little more than the recommended initial dosage. Add the algaecide immediately after the shock treatment. Dilute with water first and pour around the edge for quicker circulation and a faster process. Sunlight helps this process, so try to pick a couple of sunny days for treatment β although it is not essential.
7. After adding both the chlorine and algaecide, brush the effected areas vigorously so the algae comes in contact with the chemicals you have added. Allow the pool to circulate for 24-48 hours in normal filter mode. Expect some temporary cloudiness for a couple days. Keep an eye on the filter pressure and backwash when required.
8. What you should see is a gray/white substance settling on the bottom of the swimming pool. It is important to vacuum this to waste if you have a sand filter to eliminate it from the pool. If you have a cartridge filter, you must take the cartridges out and clean them at least every other day or just after vacuuming.
YOU MAY HAVE TO REPEAT THESE STEPS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WORKS
9. Following on from this we would recommend a clarifier to help filter out small particles. Polysheen Plus or Super Clear tabs would be ideal for this purpose.
10. If the pool continues to stay cloudy and you cant see the bottom and you have ascertained that all test levels are balanced we would recommend a floc for the pool, which means using a chemical to drop everything to the bottom of the pool and vacuuming out to waste β Power Floc would be the optimum product for this purpose