Pool Troubleshooting

Eliminate Pink Slime and White Water Mold from a Swimming Pool

Eliminating Swimming Pools Pink Slime & White Water Mold.

By Allen Hayward

If you find white water mold in your pool, then you’ll probably find pink slime along with it. There is a lot of confusion over how these nasty elements end up in pool water. Let’s clear up this confusion now.

Below are some interesting details about white water mold and pink slime that you likely didn’t know:

They form naturally.

Pool chemicals do not cause them.

Pink slime is bacteria. It is not algae.

White water mold is a type of fungus.

Humans cannot be harmed by them.

All swimming pools are susceptible to white mold and pink slime.

They are attracted to PVC piping.

Pool chemicals are not very effective at eliminating them.

It is common to see orange-colored stains on the surfaces of bathtubs, sinks, showers, and toilets. This orange stuff is actually pink slime. It has nothing to do with rust or metal. Wherever water is present, it can support white water mold and pink slime growth.

In your swimming pool, you’ll need to add extra doses of chlorine or other sanitizing chemicals to the water. That is the only way to eliminate these bacteria and fungus.

Removing White Water Mold and Pink Slime

Clean Your Pool

If you see any white water mold or pink slime, then you’ll need to perform a manual cleaning to get rid of them. Check everywhere in and around your pool, including the return jets, skimmer, filter, ladders, and other shady or hidden areas of the pool.

Shock Treatment

Make sure the alkalinity level and pH level are normal before adding any sanitizing chemicals to the water. Normal pH would be between 7.4 and 7.6, while normal alkalinity would be between 100 ppm and 150 ppm.

Use 4 pounds of chlorine shock for every 10,000 water gallons. The shock treatment, in this case, is calcium hypochlorite. You need to use this much shock treatment because of how resistant these elements are to it.

Filter

Keep the filter running for 1 day, then apply a filter cleaning chemical to the filter system in order to clean it out.

Test

Run the filter system for about another 4 days. Use a manual vacuum and brush to clean your pool. Test the water with test strips or a test kit. Either that or take a sample of your pool water and bring it to your nearest pool retail shop to have the sample tested. Again, ensure your alkalinity and pH levels are at the appropriate levels.

White Water Mold and Pink Slime Prevention

Even though these problems occur naturally, there are some ways to protect your pool from them. Chlorine is the best prevention method. It is the equivalent of using bleach to stop pink slime from forming in your toilet.

Always maintain the appropriate chlorine levels in your pool, which would be 3 parts per million (ppm). Use the vacuum and brush on your pool regularly, or at least 2 times per week.