Pool Care

Treatment of "pink slime" MUST BE QUICK AND TOTAL

 Clean all pool & affected surfaces as prescribed above.

1. Physically clean & remove all visible "pink slime"
2. Add an initial dosage of algicide to the pool
3. "Shock" the pool with a triple or quadruple dose
4. Run filter 24 hours daily until water is clear & halogen or peroxide levels are maintained at a "higher" level
5. Chemically clean the filter. Simple rinsing or backwashing of the filter will not remove the greases, oils & other accumulated contaminant from the filter and filter tank.
6. Have the pool water professionally tested & analyzed. Look for a pool company that knows what they are talking about and isn't afraid to tell you the truth about problem.
7. Maintain Optimizer Plus (or other borate product) levels
8. Maintain good water balance of pH, Total Alkalinity & Calcium Hardness

Let's define what pink slime is. Pink slime is a naturally occurring bacterium (of the newly formed genus Methylobacterium). Pink Slime is NOT a form of Algae, It is animal not vegetable. It is pink- or red-pigmented and forms a heavy, protective slime coating which provides the organism with an unusually high level of protection. Pink slime consumes methanol (a waste gas) and it is oftentimes found WITH White Water Mold. This organism is very resilient and resistant against halogen-based (chlorine or bromine) as well as non-halogen sanitizers or germicides and can remain a contaminant even after treatment.

Although initially found in swimming pools being treated with biguanides (Baquacil, Soft Swim, Polyclear, etc.), it is now seen in any and all swimming pool environments. This is NOT a biguanide problem ONLY nor is it CAUSED by the use of biguanides.

Look for pink slime under ladder treads, behind the skimmer weir, on the undersides skimmer baskets, pool directional returns, underwater pool light niches and light housings. If you find that the pool just isn't holding chlorine, bromine, or even hydrogen peroxide used in biguanide treated pools, look for pink slime.