Pool Question

[In Canada eh]

This question is for all you who also own a pool or for the dealers that also sell pools.

  We have been getting little (about the size of a dime) spots of black algae in our pool.  I'm pretty good about maintaining chlorine levels around 2 ppm with a automatic chlorinator and I do add a weekly dose of algaeside.  I noticed this last year about this time (July or August) and kept sweeping at them with the brush but they never really went away and last weekend I noticed a couple of spots.  Its not that bad only five or six dime sized spots and I was wondering if anyone has had any luck treating for this or knows of a solution

   To attempt to appease the moderators, my pool is about 10 feet from our hot tub and we both enjoy them both

                                                Thanks in advance

[Pathfinder]

The following is a good description of Black Algae - BLACK ALGAE:  Perhaps the most aggravating strain of algae, it has been compared to herpes; "once you've got it, it's there for life". This is not entirely accurate, but the difficulty in eradication is due to the strong roots and protective layers over top of the black algae plant. Black algae will appear as dark black or blue/green spots, usually the size of a pencil eraser tip. 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. Like yellow algae, black strains can bloom even in the presence of normal sanitizing levels and proper filtration.

I have always recommended scrubbing the areas with a hard bristle scrubber then adding  a 60% algaecide  waiting the recommended time then  a large chlorine shock.  

What has also worked well is using the kitchen scrubber with the 60% algaecide in it then shocking the pool.

[In Canada eh]

Pathfinder

   I was hoping you or Vinny would answer this post.  I will follow your advise on the algae-side, should I add a larger amount then normal (pool is about 60,000 litres)

   Strange thing about the algae root being a problem because our pool has a vinyl liner

   Time to get the swim fins and mask out

[Vinny]

First the question is how much CYA does the pool have?

Second is what type of algecide are you using?

And third is what type of filter are you running?

If your CYA is high by using trichlor or dichlor then 2 to 3 PPM doesn't do a thing, you need lots-o-chlorine! This is important as Trichlor pucks can add CYA FAST. I used trichlor for the first 2 weeks and I went from 0 to 35 PPM, if you used trichlor exclusively then you are probably at about 100 PPM by now.

Not all algecide is created equal - use poly ...... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 60% as pathfinder said. It doesn't kill exsisting algea but will prevent new growth. Which leads me to the filter, DE filters suck the poly .... out of the water within a couple of days due to their fine straining capability. It's a catch 22.

I would certainly do what Pathfinder said, you need to physically destroy the layers of algea for the chemicals to work.

Do you regularly brush the sides and floor of the pool? This is recommended so that algea doesn't establish itself.

Before anything, find out the CYA reading. For shocking get unscented bleach and throw it in the pool. Take about 2 or 3 gallons and hit the pool hard.

Here's a guesstimate from another site:


Stabilizer . . . . . . Min. FC . . . . Max FC . . . 'Shock' FC
=> 0 ppm . . . . . . . 1 ppm . . . . . 3 ppm . . . . 10 ppm
=> 10 - 20 ppm . . . . 2 ppm . . . . . 5 ppm . . . . 12 ppm
=> 30 - 50 ppm . . . . 3 ppm . . . . . 6 ppm . . . . 15 ppm
=> 60 - 90 ppm . . . . 5 ppm . . . . . 10 ppm . . .. 20 ppm
=> 100 - 200 ppm . . . 8 ppm . . . . . 15 ppm . . .. 25 ppm

[Pathfinder]

Unfortunately with vinyl  black algae can bleed through the liner.  Just follow the directions  on the bottle. In certain cases more isnt always better.

[In Canada eh]

Vinny and Pathfinder,

   CYA level in the pool is about 50ppm last time I had the dealer test the water and I already use the poly..... .............   .........60% algaecide.  Filter is a sand type because DE and Cartridge style units are not popular around here.  I do regularly brush down the sides of the pool, normally after vacuuming.

  I can get sodium hypo pretty cheap and I will shock the poop out of the pool Sunday night

  My wife may be a little upset about the algaecide in the potscruby thing , so I may have to go to the dollar store first.  I'll scrub all the areas and give it a algaecide shot on Sunday and then shock on Sunday night

                      Thanks Guys

[drewstar]

Vinny and Pathfinder,


 ...My wife may be a little upset about the algaecide in the potscruby thing , so I may have to go to the dollar store first...

                      Thanks Guys

Ah, a wise man.  

I'm still taking the heat for the stupid cat box - fine silver  scooping incident.

Honestly, Who needs a sterling  "Tomatoe Server"  anyway??!?!?!

[Bonibelle]

Dan Quayle?

[In Canada eh]

Honestly, Who needs a sterling  "Tomatoe Server"  anyway??!?!?!

Drew,

      You are too funny

[In Canada eh]

Just a little update for y'all,

  I took Vinny's and Pathfinders advise and increased the output on our chlorinator due to the higher levels of CYA in the pool.  Used a dollar store pot scrubby filled with algaecide on the areas with black algae and brushed down the sides and all seams and corners.  Shocked the pool last Sunday night with a gallon of sodium hypo and all appears well now

                                    Thanks Guys

[Vanguard]

There is a silver based algaecide on the market that works really well for black algae.  I'm not sure if I'm spelling it right, but it is called Silvedyne.  

You do have to constantly brush black algae to get rid of it.

I had a customer who had his pool replastered.  The plaster company didn't remove all the old plaster, thus leaving the black algae roots intact.  Within one year, all the black algae reappeared.  Of course, the customer thought it was my fault.

Black algae is a bad bad thing.