white foam on surface

Algae problems in swimming pool water.
Green (cloudy) water or slimy pool walls.
Black algae. Mustard algae. Pink or white pool mold.
tahoe5

HTH Foam, slime

Postby tahoe5 » Fri 09 May, 2008 07:51

Hey txff636 or any others...did you get brown slime balls on the surface when using this hth product as well? I'll try the defoamer, thanks for the tip!


Nickthegrip

Same problem

Postby Nickthegrip » Wed 28 May, 2008 07:58

I too have the same problem - I'll try the defoamer and will buy better stuff next year.

I love the internet, lets me know there are other people out there with my problems :oops:
love my pool

foam

Postby love my pool » Sat 19 Jul, 2008 23:20

Well, it seems that I am not alone in my foam problem. Pool was absolutely perfect. Had to add more salt - let run for 24 hours - forgot to put saltwater generator back on -- week and 1/2 went by .... noticed some algae - turned generator back on .... dumped 3 gallons of algecide (HTH) and all hell broke loose ... foam for days on end .. now it is only doing when the generator is on ????? there is a slimy brown color when you push it all together ???? Water is still perfectly clear and no more algae, just light layer of foam. .... figured the sun would have burned it off by now ..... ??????? SUGGESTIONS ???
chem geek
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2381
Joined: Thu 21 Jun, 2007 21:27
Location: San Rafael, California

Postby chem geek » Sun 20 Jul, 2008 13:55

Inexpensive algaecide, known as linear quats, have a tendency to foam. You should not need to use an algaecide if you maintain proper chlorine levels and use chlorinating liquid or unscented bleach to shock if necessary. If you must use an alagecide, use PolyQuat 60. Though more expensive, it will not foam and is often more effective.

Eventually the algaecide will break down. If you shock with chlorine, it will break down faster.
gmcabee

White foam on surface

Postby gmcabee » Wed 06 May, 2009 21:51

I found this. I know my Alkalinity is way over the limit.

You pool's water is out of balance. Depending on what kind of structure it is will depend on your numbers you should have. Alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness level are different depending on what type of pool you have. Adding way too much algaecide causes foam too by the way! So that's most likey the cause thinking backwards about this.

Using a "foam away" product doesn't address what caused the foaming in the first place. Not too mention if your water is properly balanced and sanitized you don't need any of the other side products pool stores/web sites like to sell that are not really needed. Once you start using an anti foaming product you can never stop since your adding more TDS (Total dissolved solids) to your pools water that is making it foam to begin with. Creating a vicious cycle.
Source(s):
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Certified Service Technician - APSP
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poolmomof2

white foam on surface

Postby poolmomof2 » Mon 10 Aug, 2009 22:47

I too have encountered this. I have bought chemicals from Lowes and Walmart. For some reason following these directions got me in a lot of trouble. Cloudy water, foam, etc.... I found a pool dealer willing to test my water, I also was in the market for a larger filter system as the one I had was not large enough causing more chemical problems from not being properly distributed. I bought a 1.5 hp hayward for a 18 x 48 round. It was magnificent, however my pool was still cloudy. I carried another water sample to the same pool dealer, finding out the test strips I bought at walmart were giving faulty readings--they showed the chemical levels in my pool to be perfect. However at the pool store the ph was way too high. I brought home biogard products which are the same or lower than walmart in price. I added something to bring down the ph waited 5 hrs added to bags of burn ( like shock but stronger) waited an hour and added 6 oz of clarifier--all by biogard. It is looking better. The main thing is to have a well balanced pool and buy all the same products with the right ingredients. Walmart, lowes, etc... are not pool experts and can not give advice on what best fits your pool. Please go to a pool specialist and take a water sample. If they are true business people they will help whether you bought the pool from them or not. The person that helped me even help customers with pools from walmart. Hope you find something in this that helps. Oh, my pool also has a min max water level at the filter system, if the water is right above the min level I get foam and bubbles.
epbdl

white foam on surface

Postby epbdl » Thu 24 Sep, 2009 23:13

I got suckered and bought the "cheap stuff" at Sam's and BAM! - instant foamy water. I will never, ever buy that crap again.
kthinsa

15,000 gallon Bubble Bath?

Postby kthinsa » Sun 09 May, 2010 12:36

I, too, have made the mistake of buying the wrong algaecide. As a result, I now have basically, a 15,000 gallon bubble bath in my back yard. I accidently grabbed a bottle of the HTH algaecide that can cause foaming, instead of the one I normally buy(non-foaming) at Home Depot, as they were sitting right next to each other on the shelf. As I added it, it was like I had poured a bottle of Mr. Bubble into the pool. To make matters worse, my return jets are Jacuzzi style, thereby increasing the effect of the foaming. Like everyone else, when the system is off, the foam settles. All I can say is "D'Oh!" :wtf:
I went to Leslie's Pool(our local pool "Expert?"), after looking on-line at this and other help sites, and the person there recommended to use a product called "Pool First Aid". I was gonna grab the anti-foaming agent used in spas(as mostly recommended on some help sites), but he told me that this other product would work as well for half-the-price. I tried it, and no results, if anything, the foaming is worse then before. Like everyone else....the water under the foam is clear, and the balance seems to be in-line(per the tests-not strips...drops). It is already in the 90's down here in south Texas, so having the pool operational is of major importance. What, if anything, can I do to get rid of this disgusting foam? Emptying and refilling is out of the question at this point, as we are under drought warnings. Does anyone have a REAL answer? Many DESPERATE thanks to y'all.
Barb

white foam on surface

Postby Barb » Tue 18 May, 2010 07:42

We had issues last year with what appeared to be foam, but turned out to be air bubbles coming from a loose connection. But now THIS year, there don't seem to be any bubbles coming from the jets, BUT, we keep getting a coating of foam all across the top. It dissipates after several hours, then will come back again. I know that algaecides can cause foaming, but here's the strange thing. Ours began right after opening the pool, adding the shock and the salt, but NOT any algaecide! We're puzzled to say the least.
hatethepool

white foam on surface

Postby hatethepool » Mon 24 May, 2010 11:51

YOU ARE GETTING AIR INTO YOUR SYSTEM...FOUND OUR BLEEDER AT THE (SEE THROUGH) PLASTIC TOP OF THE PREFILTER(WHERE THE POOL WATER FIRST ENTERS THE FILTER). THE INTRODUCTION OF AIR INTO THE SYSTEM CAUSES THE FOAM...NOTHING TO DO WITH CHEMICALS...THEY JUST WANT YOU TO KEEP BUYING!
IreneLB

white foam on surface

Postby IreneLB » Sat 29 May, 2010 08:37

After doing research, most answers say, too much algaecide. But my local pool store said its an air leak causing it. I cant believe that when the foam leaves a thin green line in the skimmer. So I am going to try this product out for foam, its a BioGuard product but I'm sure others make it too. I used it last season and it worked. So far it hasnt this year, but I am a bit inpatient to wait it out. Good luck..
NJ FOAM

white foam on surface

Postby NJ FOAM » Sat 29 May, 2010 09:48

So I used SAMS club garbage algecide and I am in the same boat. PLEASE someone let me know what the answer is before I have to waste more money on fake solutions !!! Thanks
MJ

white foam on surface

Postby MJ » Sun 13 Jun, 2010 08:48

White foam can be caused by 2 different situations.

1. There is an air leak in the system.

2. Cheap algicide, read instruction first some products must be shaken before being applied.

If you want to use an anti-foam contact a local janitor supply or chemical supply company, cleaning company and you can get the concentrated anti-foam product. Less than a capfull will knock out all of the foam from any size pool. If you keep your pool in good PH balance you will not encounter these problems but as well know it can happen. ZEP Manufacturing Co makes a good Anti-foam product 1-877-i buy zep (1-877-428-9937) after 15 years in the chemical business I have learned a few tricks to help with my pool.

MJ :thumbup:
Chrisssss1970

Re: white foam on surface

Postby Chrisssss1970 » Tue 24 May, 2011 13:48

paluther wrote:I have had the same kind of problem. I have been dipping mine out and wetting it with the hose. It almost looks like sop suds. Mine is just about cleared up.

Here is my problem and I am hoping someone has an answer. We just opened our pool a few days ago. We vacummed, added algaecide (I think I overdid it with way too much) and shocked. Changed the DE and started seeing white bubbles that turned to foam. I shocked it again. We have a 12x24 4 ft pool. We have been doing an exhange of water and have probably exchanged close to half the pool water already but still have the white foam on the surface. The water is clear under the foam. The foam dissipates when the filter is shut off.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Is it possible it is the DE leaking into the pool? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
[/quote]

I currently have the same problem. Make sure the lid to the pump is tight and there is water full to the top of the pump. You may need to change the o ring under the lid. Air is getting in.
Holdem

white foam on surface

Postby Holdem » Tue 31 May, 2011 20:50

I used a hose and sprayed foam into filter trap and scooped out with small strainer. It took 3-4 times but is clear now. very easy to guide the foam with hose.

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