There is some pink, slimy looking, slippery-feeling, growth in the hopper end of the pool – vinyl, built-in, chlorine maintained, 20000 gallons, heated and not looking so great. If it wasn’t for the color, I’d think that it was algae. What do you think and how do I handle it?

What you think might be “pink” algae is really not algae at all. It is a bacterial slime problem and can be controlled. Make sure that your pH is 7.0-7.2, in order to make the chlorine more effective. Add a quick acting shock at the rate of 2 pounds per 5000 gallons, in order to boost the Free Chlorine Test reading to 5-10 PPM. Use a Free Chlorine Test Kit – this is important! Operate the filter continuously and try to maximize circulation in the deep end. Retest the Free Chlorine every few hours and add more shock, as might be necessary. Brush any areas with deposits. Add either a Silver or Polymer Formula Algaecide: these products have effectiveness against many types of algae and bacteria. As an alternative to these algaecides, or even in addition, add one of those “Yellow” Sodium Bromide Products. This will generate bromine in the water, which is especially effective against “pink” algae or slime. If after an overnight period, the Free Chlorine level is at 1-3 PPM, marked improvement should be seen. If the water is cloudy, it is likely from dead algae and organic debris: use a liquid clarifier to help remove these materials.  Once sodium bromide is added chlorine usage will increase for some indeterminate length of time.  However, if it solves the problem, it is worth doing.  Restore the pH to optimum and resume normal filtration and chlorination. I hope that I have been of assistance.