Black Algae and High Copper
- Thread starter Bhaskar
- Start date
If it's copper stains, adding more copper will just make it worse.
Superchlorinating will just oxidize the copper to black.
Black algae is a type of bacteria, which is like a toxic black mold.
If it were black algae, you would be able to scrape some off and it would be blue/green and spongy like mold.
If it were black algae, you would be able to scrape some off and it would be blue/green and spongy like mold.
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To me, it looks like copper.
If it cannot be scrapped off like mold, then I think that it is probably copper.
The stains are very bad and deep and the plaster might be ruined and the only solution might be to remove the existing plaster and replaster.
You can try the Jack’s product if you want, but do your own research to understand all of the pros and cons as well as the costs and risks.
Maybe contact Jack’s to see what they think since they deal with a lot of copper stain treatments.
jacksmagic.com
jacksmagic.com
Draining to remove the copper will be required to prevent a reoccurrence, however, the pool can pop out of the ground if the water table is high, so you need to verify that it is safe to drain and refill.
Also, the plaster can dry out and delaminate if it gets too hot during the drain and refill, so you have to be very careful.
I would recommend a local professional to advise you before you decide what to do so you can make an informed decision and understand all costs and risks.
If it cannot be scrapped off like mold, then I think that it is probably copper.
The stains are very bad and deep and the plaster might be ruined and the only solution might be to remove the existing plaster and replaster.
You can try the Jack’s product if you want, but do your own research to understand all of the pros and cons as well as the costs and risks.
Maybe contact Jack’s to see what they think since they deal with a lot of copper stain treatments.
STAIN SOLUTION #2 – The Copper & Scale Stuff | Jacks Magic
jacksmagic.com
Contact Us | Jacks Magic
jacksmagic.com
Draining to remove the copper will be required to prevent a reoccurrence, however, the pool can pop out of the ground if the water table is high, so you need to verify that it is safe to drain and refill.
Also, the plaster can dry out and delaminate if it gets too hot during the drain and refill, so you have to be very careful.
I would recommend a local professional to advise you before you decide what to do so you can make an informed decision and understand all costs and risks.
Is it green and squishy like mold or algae?
Can you pull the filters and show them?
Can you pull the filters and show them?
Your signature says salt pool, but I do not see a salt system.
Do you have current pictures of the system?
I see a tab feeder, which can cause some really bad chemistry if you are not managing it continuously.
What is the worst that the chemistry ever got?
What are the current chemistry readings?
Pull the filter cartridges and look for turquoise and/or black colors, which would be good evidence of copper.
You can also drain and sand the entire surface to try to remove the copper stains.
Maybe try the Jack’s first and then be prepared to acid wash and/or do a thorough sanding using diamond sanding discs on power sanders.
Get local professional advice before deciding what to do.
Do you have current pictures of the system?
I see a tab feeder, which can cause some really bad chemistry if you are not managing it continuously.
What is the worst that the chemistry ever got?
What are the current chemistry readings?
Pull the filter cartridges and look for turquoise and/or black colors, which would be good evidence of copper.
You can also drain and sand the entire surface to try to remove the copper stains.
Maybe try the Jack’s first and then be prepared to acid wash and/or do a thorough sanding using diamond sanding discs on power sanders.
Get local professional advice before deciding what to do.
attached are the updated picture and latest test of water done today. When I opened the filters one week back it was showing green color all on filters.
Attachments
In my opinion, everything points to copper.
You will have to decide about how you want to proceed with trying to remedy the situation.
Maybe see what Jack's says about using their #2 copper and scale treatment.
You will have to decide about how you want to proceed with trying to remedy the situation.
Maybe see what Jack's says about using their #2 copper and scale treatment.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,443
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I agree with @JamesW on this. All signs point to over use of copper minerals. If you have extensive staining like that AND your water is still testing at 1ppm dissolved copper ions, then you had a very excessive high copper concentration that scaled out of solution and stained the plaster.
Jacks Magic sells a Stain ID kit. Before you do anything, I would suggest you use that kit to identify the stains. Throwing more “magic potions” at the pool as per the Leslie’s suggestions is only going to make matters worse. You need to stop, take a break and get more information before you continue spending money. This problem did not develop overnight and it will not be solved in a day. The first step is to positively identify the stain. Copper is the most likely suspect.
Jacks Magic sells a Stain ID kit. Before you do anything, I would suggest you use that kit to identify the stains. Throwing more “magic potions” at the pool as per the Leslie’s suggestions is only going to make matters worse. You need to stop, take a break and get more information before you continue spending money. This problem did not develop overnight and it will not be solved in a day. The first step is to positively identify the stain. Copper is the most likely suspect.
If the green was blue/green or turquoise, then that certainly sounds like copper.
If you can show the cartridges, I can get a better idea.
The flapper on the check valve has what looks like copper stains.
Blue substance on Filter
Hi, I have a blue substance on my filter when I take it out to clean it. The pool chemicals are all in balance. I have an automatic cholorinator that has a blueish color plastic tube that holds the chlorine tablets in the chlorinator. Any chance it could be from that? I also have a pool heater...
www.troublefreepool.com
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Black marked piece is the ionizer, it turns on when pump is on and turn off when pump off. Currently I turned off. Blue marked one is the scale blaster.
Mineral Pure 50,000 Gal. Residential Swimming Pool Ionizer RC-50 - The Home Depot
This 50,000 gal Residential Swimming Pool Ionizer keeps your pool sparkling without causing you irritation. It uses natural minerals that are safe, purify your pool and reduce the need for chlorine. It
www.homedepot.com
Ok, it looks like the system also has silver ions, which can also create bad metal stains like brown etc.
I would see what Jack's recommends and maybe try their #2 copper and scale stuff and then maybe have diamond sanding equipment ready to sand and polish everything when the pool is drained to get rid of anything that the # 2 copper and scale stuff does not remove.
Take all necessary precautions and do your research to understand all costs, risks and potential benefits.
I recommend that you consult with a local professional expert to help you decide what to do and to create a plan that is safe and effective.
I would see what Jack's recommends and maybe try their #2 copper and scale stuff and then maybe have diamond sanding equipment ready to sand and polish everything when the pool is drained to get rid of anything that the # 2 copper and scale stuff does not remove.
Take all necessary precautions and do your research to understand all costs, risks and potential benefits.
I recommend that you consult with a local professional expert to help you decide what to do and to create a plan that is safe and effective.
I contacted Jacks' they are sending test kit to me to test. Thank you for taking time to look at the info and making suggestions.