Pink Slime in Clorine pool w/ Frog
- Thread starter DocEric
- Start date
Eeeegads Eric.... That is alarming. We need to see a full set of test results to see if we spot the problem.
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Why are you using a Frog system?? Those darn things add copper and other metals to your pool. Those cause stains which can be particularly difficult in fiberglass pools. I would suggest you take that offline immediately.
Maddie
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Why are you using a Frog system?? Those darn things add copper and other metals to your pool. Those cause stains which can be particularly difficult in fiberglass pools. I would suggest you take that offline immediately.
Maddie
So I’ve had this fine dark sediment for the last few weeks that settles out at night when the pool filter is running slow and the cover is on. I’ve also noticed some non-pink slime by the skimmer opening. A few weeks ago I added an anti fungal and the slime by the skimmer opening is less (I scrubbed the stuff I could see with a brush).
I decided to change out the filters today and noticed this pink slime on the filters themselves, despite maintaining the chlorine levels, the antifungals and so on. Plus the inside of the filter was slippery and I sprayed that out with water. I have a set of clean filters I’ll put back in, but what do you make of this? Water has been running warmer this year because of global warming and all, but otherwise I’m not certain what to do. I’ll soak these filters in degreaser, wash them out and let them dry thoroughly, but do you think I should do something else?
I decided to change out the filters today and noticed this pink slime on the filters themselves, despite maintaining the chlorine levels, the antifungals and so on. Plus the inside of the filter was slippery and I sprayed that out with water. I have a set of clean filters I’ll put back in, but what do you make of this? Water has been running warmer this year because of global warming and all, but otherwise I’m not certain what to do. I’ll soak these filters in degreaser, wash them out and let them dry thoroughly, but do you think I should do something else?
I’ll go back and recheck all of the levels but they’ve all been stable except the chlorine. I didn’t replace the mineral cartridge in the frog this year, so it’s empty now, and I’ve just been using the frog packs so I didn’t have to add bleach more often. They’re all gone now too, so it’s essentially offline.Eeeegads Eric.... That is alarming. We need to see a full set of test results to see if we spot the problem.
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Why are you using a Frog system?? Those darn things add copper and other metals to your pool. Those cause stains which can be particularly difficult in fiberglass pools. I would suggest you take that offline immediately.
Maddie
I need a current set of test results- including the CYA which I see no where in your results. Until I see those results I can just about be assured that you've kept your Free Chlorine (FC) too low on a continuous basis while assuming the minerals and other potions are enough. They are not.
The ONLY thing a clear, sanitary pool needs usually is Free Chlorine and CYA. Occasionally Muriatic Acid to lower pH. Rarely anything else.
Please note that chlorine *is* an anti fungal, anti algae, anti virius and bacteria and protects against person to person transmission, ect.
Please take a water sample to a pool store and ask them to run a metals test. DO NOT buy anything from them. Almost all our pool chemicals we use and recommend come from the grocery store or hardware store. We only ask them for metals test because its expensive to buy that test and they offer it for free.
Maddie
The ONLY thing a clear, sanitary pool needs usually is Free Chlorine and CYA. Occasionally Muriatic Acid to lower pH. Rarely anything else.
Please note that chlorine *is* an anti fungal, anti algae, anti virius and bacteria and protects against person to person transmission, ect.
Please take a water sample to a pool store and ask them to run a metals test. DO NOT buy anything from them. Almost all our pool chemicals we use and recommend come from the grocery store or hardware store. We only ask them for metals test because its expensive to buy that test and they offer it for free.
Maddie
Sorry. I thought those showed up in my signature
==========================================
Broadway Pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Fiberglass
Volume: 13000 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 15.0 (23 hours ago)
CC: 1.0 (23 hours ago)
pH: 7.2 (10 days ago)
TA: 150 (10 days ago)
CH: 300 (10 days ago)
CYA: 30 (2 months ago)
TEMPERATURE: 86° (yesterday)
CSI: -0.08 (23 hours ago)
==========================================
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 05:20 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 15.0
Combined Chlorine: 1.0
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Chemical Addition 08-14-2021 @ 03:51 PM
------------------------------------------
+ 1 Gallons of Bleach
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 03:24 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 1.5
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 86°F
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 6.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 88°F
CSI: -0.07
------------------------------------------
Maintenance 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Vacuumed, Brushed
==========================================
Broadway Pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Fiberglass
Volume: 13000 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 15.0 (23 hours ago)
CC: 1.0 (23 hours ago)
pH: 7.2 (10 days ago)
TA: 150 (10 days ago)
CH: 300 (10 days ago)
CYA: 30 (2 months ago)
TEMPERATURE: 86° (yesterday)
CSI: -0.08 (23 hours ago)
==========================================
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 05:20 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 15.0
Combined Chlorine: 1.0
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Chemical Addition 08-14-2021 @ 03:51 PM
------------------------------------------
+ 1 Gallons of Bleach
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 03:24 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 1.5
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 86°F
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 6.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 88°F
CSI: -0.07
------------------------------------------
Maintenance 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Vacuumed, Brushed
This quote here from another post is buy one of the chemists who hang around here-
"You have very little to worry about with pink slim in a chlorinated swimming pool. "Pink Slime" is actually a bacteria (methylobacterium) which is very easily controlled and killed by chlorine (despite the Balpney Sandwich published by sites that promote Baquacil) when it is free-floating but becomes difficult to remove when it forms adherent colonies (biofilms) because of the "slimy" coating it generates. Most bacterial biofilms are hard to remove or destroy with chlorine alone but few will develop in an open swimming pool due to UV exposure and the use of proper chlorination levels. The only time it would show up in a swimming pool is if the chlorine levels were allowed to drop to zero and the bacteria took hold in shady or covered part of the pool."
"You have very little to worry about with pink slim in a chlorinated swimming pool. "Pink Slime" is actually a bacteria (methylobacterium) which is very easily controlled and killed by chlorine (despite the Balpney Sandwich published by sites that promote Baquacil) when it is free-floating but becomes difficult to remove when it forms adherent colonies (biofilms) because of the "slimy" coating it generates. Most bacterial biofilms are hard to remove or destroy with chlorine alone but few will develop in an open swimming pool due to UV exposure and the use of proper chlorination levels. The only time it would show up in a swimming pool is if the chlorine levels were allowed to drop to zero and the bacteria took hold in shady or covered part of the pool."
Ok, in looking back further in your test results you have allowed the pool to go almost without any FC for extended periods. Chlorine has to be at a level commensurate with CYA.
Please see here the CYA/FC chart--> FC/CYA Levels
For a pool with 30ppm of CYA, your FC should never go below 2, but ideally 5-6ppm which covers you for the daily loss of FC to the sun. The sun will take anything from 2 to 4ppm in what I call the "sun tax" so you have to have enough over that so the pool still contains FC.
I think you're going to need to do a SLAM process with a lot of brushing to disrupt that pink slime and get the chlorine at it. For a pool with 30ppm of CYA the SLAM level is 12ppm. Kept at 12ppm continuously around the clock until it meets the three requirements in the SLAM to end it.
SLAM process instructions--> SLAM Process
Questions?
Maddie
Please see here the CYA/FC chart--> FC/CYA Levels
For a pool with 30ppm of CYA, your FC should never go below 2, but ideally 5-6ppm which covers you for the daily loss of FC to the sun. The sun will take anything from 2 to 4ppm in what I call the "sun tax" so you have to have enough over that so the pool still contains FC.
I think you're going to need to do a SLAM process with a lot of brushing to disrupt that pink slime and get the chlorine at it. For a pool with 30ppm of CYA the SLAM level is 12ppm. Kept at 12ppm continuously around the clock until it meets the three requirements in the SLAM to end it.
SLAM process instructions--> SLAM Process
Questions?
Maddie
Here’s the most recent tests:
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-15-2021 @ 12:37 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 11.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
pH: 7.5
Total Alkalinity: 175
Calcium Hardness: 325
CYA: 40
Temperature: 85°F
CSI: 0.26
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 05:20 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 15.0
Combined Chlorine: 1.0
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Chemical Addition 08-14-2021 @ 03:51 PM
------------------------------------------
+ 1 Gallons of Bleach
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 03:24 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 1.5
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 86°F
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 6.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 88°F
CSI: -0.07
------------------------------------------
Maintenance 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Vacuumed, Brushed
So I don’t need to do anything to the inside of the filter housing or the filters themselves other than spray them down, or should I be soaking them in a bleach solution?
Also, I keep the safety cover closed when we’re not using the pool so there isn’t a lot of UV radiation except when we open the pool for dinner by the pool and on weekends when we tend to use it the most. Is this causing/allowing the pink slime bacteria to grow?
I’ll do a slam and see if I can get rid of it, though I’m not sure how to tell since it’s not visible in the pool, just the filter elements.
Thanks!
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-15-2021 @ 12:37 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 11.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
pH: 7.5
Total Alkalinity: 175
Calcium Hardness: 325
CYA: 40
Temperature: 85°F
CSI: 0.26
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 05:20 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 15.0
Combined Chlorine: 1.0
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Chemical Addition 08-14-2021 @ 03:51 PM
------------------------------------------
+ 1 Gallons of Bleach
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-14-2021 @ 03:24 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 1.5
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 86°F
CSI: -0.08
------------------------------------------
Test Results 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Free Chlorine: 6.0
Combined Chlorine: 0.5
Temperature: 88°F
CSI: -0.07
------------------------------------------
Maintenance 08-10-2021 @ 07:15 PM
------------------------------------------
Vacuumed, Brushed
So I don’t need to do anything to the inside of the filter housing or the filters themselves other than spray them down, or should I be soaking them in a bleach solution?
Also, I keep the safety cover closed when we’re not using the pool so there isn’t a lot of UV radiation except when we open the pool for dinner by the pool and on weekends when we tend to use it the most. Is this causing/allowing the pink slime bacteria to grow?
I’ll do a slam and see if I can get rid of it, though I’m not sure how to tell since it’s not visible in the pool, just the filter elements.
Thanks!
Keep the cover open as much as possible during the days so that sun can burn off the CCs. Soak the filters in a diluted bleach tub of water.
Since your CYA is now 40, your SLAM level is 16ppm of FC.
Did you read the SLAM directions? ``~~~Any questions on that?
Maddie
Since your CYA is now 40, your SLAM level is 16ppm of FC.
Did you read the SLAM directions? ``~~~Any questions on that?
Maddie
My pool math SLAM calculator says 11-16. Yes, I’ve read it. I haven’t SLAMd since this spring. I know how do that. Thanks!Keep the cover open as much as possible during the days so that sun can burn off the CCs. Soak the filters in a diluted bleach tub of water.
Since your CYA is now 40, your SLAM level is 16ppm of FC.
Did you read the SLAM directions? ``~~~Any questions on that?
Maddie
Interesting follow up on the pink slime bacteria. There is some reported resistance to chlorine, and except in a medical setting, it may actually be beneficial:
“This is an important knowledge for drinking water industries which continuously search for cheap and effective ways to improve drinking water quality because specific species like Methylobacterium might be key species in drinking water because even when they are present at low concentrations they might lead to safer drinking water.”
From :
Impact of Methylobacterium in the drinking water microbiome on removal of trihalomethanes
“This is an important knowledge for drinking water industries which continuously search for cheap and effective ways to improve drinking water quality because specific species like Methylobacterium might be key species in drinking water because even when they are present at low concentrations they might lead to safer drinking water.”
From :
Impact of Methylobacterium in the drinking water microbiome on removal of trihalomethanes
Ok, well then if you're okay swimming with pink slime, go for it! No one I know would want to. <shrug>
Your SLAM level is 16ppm no less.
Your SLAM level is 16ppm no less.
Last edited:
Lol. No. I’m not comfortable swimming with pink slime, but since it’s really only in the filter and it is potentially resistant to chlorine (per the paper) I’m okay if a small amount survives the SLAM since it breaks down the CCs.
If something is in your filter then it's in your pool water...
Pink slime found in pools is not chlorine resistant, nor does it break down CC. You have it because you regularly ran extremely low FC. There is absolutely nothing beneficial about having bacteria in your water. Do the SLAM Process correctly and to completion.
Pink slime found in pools is not chlorine resistant, nor does it break down CC. You have it because you regularly ran extremely low FC. There is absolutely nothing beneficial about having bacteria in your water. Do the SLAM Process correctly and to completion.
Just about done with SLAM. Now I have a gray greasy substance in the skimmer. Still a sediment on the floor every day (it seems to get through my cartridges) but the water is clear and didn’t drop below 16 in 2 days. I still need to track how much it will drop before tomorrow evening as the CC was 1.5 today.
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