Black Algae Treatment and Prevention

Black Algae, Perhaps THE hardest algae to get rid of!

What is black algae?

"Black algae" (actually blue-green algae) has very deep roots that normally grow into the side of plaster or concrete pools. It tends to form in cracks and crevices on pool surfaces and normally found growing in, but not limited to, shady areas of the pool. Black algae is known for a heavy slime layer and skeletal growths that make it impervious to normal chlorine levels. 

Do you have a vinyl liner pool? 

Good news is, I can help you get rid of those ugly black spots from the surface of your liner. 

Ready for the bad news... Most likely the only way to truly remove black algae from your swimming pool is by removing the entire liner, treating the ground beneath it, and replacing it with a brand new liner.

Where did it come from?

Black algae comes from the ocean. A common way for your pool to be infected is by a bathing suit that has once been in the ocean. This is why it is very important to always wash your bathing suits, toys and floats after swimming. It's just good practice. 

Now, the fight begins! 

Warning: You must be serious about entering into battle with black algae. This is not going to be an easy fight, you must be aggressive, consistent and willing! 

Supplies:

• A good quality brush
• Copper Based Algaecide 
• Lots of chlorine... lots, lets say at least three pounds per 10,000 gallons times 3!
• Water chemistry testing kit
• Filter Cleaner
• Vacuum 

Step One: Sanitize Everything

Everything means everything. Bathing suits, equipment, toys, floats, and pool equipment. Wipe down all the equipment including poles and handrails. Keep your automatic cleaner and maintenance equipment in the pool and shock the pool with your normal routine treatment (one pound per 10,000 gallons).

Step Two: Get your water chemistry balanced

It is important to make sure your pH levels are between 7.2 to 7.6. This will make the chlorine more active and help break down the algae when it comes to brushing. Make sure your alkalinity levels are between 125 and 150 ppm for chlorine pools or 80 and 150 for salt pools.

Step Three: BRUSH BRUSH BRUSH

Take me seriously when I say vigorously brush away any visible algae. The difficulty in eradication is due to the strong roots and protective layers over top of the black algae plant. Their roots extend into the plaster or tile grout and unless the roots are destroyed completely, a new head will grow back in the same place. The heads also contain protective layers to keep cell destroying chemicals from entering the organism. 

This is why brushing is very important. We must destroy that protective layer completely! Brush hard, brush often, brush the walls and the floors. BRUSH BRUSH BRUSH.

Step Four: Vacuum and Backwash

Slowly vacuum to to waste if possible. Vacuum as much as possible and then backwash to remove as much debris as possible.

Step Five: Triple Shock your Pool

Whatever amount you used to shock your pool with during step one, use triple that amount for this step. Then add a full quart of copper based algaecide. Allow the algaecide to work and run your system run continuously over night.

Step Six: Brush and Vacuum Again

Brush in the morning, brush in the afternoon, then brush at night. Concentrate on where you first spotted the algae. It may look like it is gone, but done let those deep roots fool you. Brush excessively and completely. Continue brushing for several days and always vacuum any dead algae or debris to waste. 

Think that algae is gone? Continue to brush for a few days and keep that chlorine level high.

FOR MAJOR INFESTATIONS REPEAT STEPS THREE THROUGH SIX

Step Seven: Clean your Filter

Use a filter aid and cleaner to remove any left over algae that might still be lingering in the system.

How to Prevent Black Algae From Growing:

Keep your pool properly balanced and sanitized. Bring in a water sample for a professional to test the water chemistry weekly. Run your pump and filter 12 hours a day all season long. Keep your pool clean, regularly vacuum and brush. Most importantly, during the summer make sure to double up on your granular chlorine, sticks, and algacides. Weekly maintenance is key.

How do you remove metal stains from your swimming pool surface?

Removing stains from a pool surface may take some patience, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With the right mix of products and technique, you should be able to remove the metals and get back to enjoying the pool. Removing metal stains is a 5 step process that includes: stain identification, lifting the stain, sequestering the metal, trapping the metal in the filter, and then cleaning the filter.

Once the metals are lifted, you must sequester the metals to ensure they do not redeposit on the pool surface. There are products to help tie up the metals so that the filter can remove them. There are filter aids that have unique properties to help all types of filters capture metals. Once the metals are trapped in the filter, simply backwash the filter and chemically clean the filter to ensure that any trapped metals are removed from the filter bed.
After you have added a sequestrate and allowed the pool to circulate for a few hours, you can retest your water and carefully balance if necessary.

"Green Hair and Chlorine" Myth

Chlorine is not the culprit! The green hair-chlorine connection is a firmly embedded myth and I would like to expose this urban legend!
Green hair is caused by the presence of metals, like copper, in the water. Metals can also tint white bathing suits and fingernails a greenish color. Metals can be introduced to the water in adding copper-based algaecides. It can come from the corrosion of copper heat exchangers and copper piping caused by pool water imbalance. In addition, fill water may contain copper.


Green Hair Treatment for the Pool

1. Apply a scale, metal, and stain control product according to the label instructions. 
2. Apply a filter aid, to filter out some of the metals.
3. Chemically clean filter after metals have been removed from pool.
4. Check fill water for metals and apply a scale, metal and stain control each time fill water is added.
5. To remove tint from hair, rinse with lemon juice or 1 part vinegar diluted with 3 parts water. There are also shampoos available that will remove the green tint. 

Chlorine Sticks VS. 3" Chlorine Tablets

Question: What is the difference?

Answer: Chemically they are the same therefore there is no difference,
however this is where the similarity stops!

3" Chlorine Tablet Facts:

•  Specifically designed to go into a chemical feeder NOT a pool skimmer
•  Has a large surface area and dissolves too quickly when used in a skimmer
• Has a very low pH (around 2.6 - a car battery has a pH level of @ 1.0)
• When left in the skimmer while the pump is not running the chlorine level will be high and the pH too low thus making it detrimental to the area surrounding the skimmer as well as the pump seal when first starting the pump back up
• Never use a chlorine floater. It will damage the liner and it is not an effective way to maintain the chlorine level

Chlorine Skimmer Stick Facts:

• Specifically designed to go into the skimmer and may be added to a chemical feeder.
• Has a small surface area and dissolves slowly when used in the skimmer.
• When left in the skimmer while the pump is not running the chlorine stick STOPS dissolving and therefore is the best way of maintaining the current chlorine level
• Does NOT harm vinyl liner pools because they STOP dissolving while the pump is not running

Please remember that chlorine tablets and sticks are used to maintain the chlorine level NOT build the chlorine level in the pool.

Granular chlorine still must be added to the pool in order to oxidized bacteria, waste, and kill alage. Moreover, it will restore the chlorine levels.