Black Algae Invasion

[Lbrasci]

First post, but visiting site for some time now. I have learned a lot from TFP.

Location: Fort Lauderdale
Problem: Black Algae
Pool Size: 19300 gallons
Test kit: TF-100
Salt water pool
Plaster pool

- I got my ph to 7.4.
-Did a cya test and reading came back at 15. I started adding cya thru skimmer- sock method about 4 hours ago. I added 3 pounds. Did a cya test and reading is 30.
- I cannot test for FC level because my power container is dry- I guess moisture got in it. Need to order refill. So I took my pool water to get tested at Lesley’s FC reading came in at 1.84.

Problem:
I have developed black algae and it’s spreading. I searched for black algae threads and plan to follow slam and along with brushing. Just have a few questions.

Some questions:
1. How long is shelf life of chemicals on tf-100?

2. Is the smart stir worth it?

3. On the TF Pool calculator is the 6% bleach same thing as the liquid chlorine? If not, what are the settings for liquid chlorine?

4. How soon can I add liquid chlorine after adding cya? According to pool calculator I need to add 408oz to have an FC of 12.

5. What can I do in the meantime while my test kit gets delivered? I want to add liquid chlorine tonight.

6. If treated properly can black algae be killed ? 1 pool guy told my wife yes a 2nd pool guys told my wife no but it has to be permanently treated. Both pool guys have over 10 years of experience.

7. Any other advice you can offer to get rid of black algea?

8. I also developed some yellow streaks that are not coming off even when scrubbing with stainless steel brush. What should I do ?

My wife gave me 2 weeks to get rid of black algea or she told me she is hiring a pool guy. She is in the process of interviewing pool guys.

Thank you all

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Back in my pool service days a long time ago treatment for a white plaster pools with black algae was,
brush the black algae to remove the head and vacuum them once they settled on the floor, if you didn’t you just doubled the amount of algae!
treat the algae that was brushed and left behind with granular tri-chlor directly on the algae to kill it.
I have all ways been told that it never really is gone it’s just under control due to its roots that it can grab into the plaster. Hope this helps, Ray.

 

[mknauss]

7. Any other advice you can offer to get rid of black algea?

Black Algae

This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[newdude]

Hey L and Welcome !!!!

1) 2 years

2) best $35 you can spend on your pool. Hands down.

3) chlorine and bleach are Sodium Hyperchlorite. The % and the cost may make one a deal and the other not so much. The Pool math app has a calculator to make it easy to tell.

4) hang a CYA sock at one return filled with granuals and add chlorine in a pencil sized stream at another return. Brush well, bleach is heaverbthan water and may puddle up on the bottom. Any other add, give 20 mins of good circulation between chems.

5) get the pool math app and use it to figure out 3ppm of bleach. Add what it says, daily, until the kit comes.

6) Marty has you covered with a link above

7) click the link

8) post some pics

 

[ajw22]

1. How long is shelf life of chemicals on tf-100?

Depends on the storage conditions. Could be 2+ years if stored in a cool dry place.

2. Is the smart stir worth it?

It is to me.

3. On the TF Pool calculator is the 6% bleach same thing as the liquid chlorine? If not, what are the settings for liquid chlorine?

Yes, Bleach = Liquid Chorine

4. How soon can I add liquid chlorine after adding cya? According to pool calculator I need to add 408oz to have an FC of 12.

Immediately after.

Just space muriatic acid and chlorine additions at least 15 minutes apart.

5. What can I do in the meantime while my test kit gets delivered? I want to add liquid chlorine tonight.

Add 5 ppm of liquid chlorine daily until you get your test kit.

6. If treated properly can black algae be killed ? 1 pool guy told my wife yes a 2nd pool guys told my wife no but it has to be permanently treated. Both pool guys have over 10 years of experience.

7. Any other advice you can offer to get rid of black algea?

Black Algae

This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.

www.troublefreepool.com

8. I also developed some yellow streaks that are not coming off even when scrubbing with stainless steel brush. What should I do ?

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

My wife gave me 2 weeks to get rid of black algea or she told me she is hiring a pool guy. She is in the process of interviewing pool guys.

We won't go there.

 

[Lbrasci]

Hey L and Welcome !!!!

1) 2 years

2) best $35 you can spend on your pool. Hands down.

3) chlorine and bleach are Sodium Hyperchlorite. The % and the cost may make one a deal and the other not so much. The Pool math app has a calculator to make it easy to tell.

4) hang a CYA sock at one return filled with granuals and add chlorine in a pencil sized stream at another return. Brush well, bleach is heaverbthan water and may puddle up on the bottom. Any other add, give 20 mins of good circulation between chems.

5) get the pool math app and use it to figure out 3ppm of bleach. Add what it says, daily, until the kit comes.

6) Marty has you covered with a link above

7) click the link

8) post some pics

I will post some pics tomorrow after I brush, I added enough to raise fc to 12.

 

[Lbrasci]

Depends on the storage conditions. Could be 2+ years if stored in a cool dry place.



It is to me.



Yes, Bleach = Liquid Chorine


Immediately after.

Juts space muriatic acid and chlorine additions at least 15 minutes apart.




Add 5 ppm of liquid chlorine daily until you get your test kit.

Black Algae

This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.

www.troublefreepool.com

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

We won't go there.

I added enough LC to raise it to FC 12. I got impatient. A pool guy told my wife he wants to charge $400 to treat the black algea with some chemicals.

What do you think of the ph meter, how accurate is it ?

 

[ajw22]

I added enough LC to raise it to FC 12. I got impatient. A pool guy told my wife he wants to charge $400 to treat the black algea with some chemicals.

Depending on the chemicals it can treat the black algae and leave you with other pool chemistry problems.

What do you think of the ph meter, how accurate is it ?

Depends on the pH meter. You get what you pay for. Get something that is not a toy like ones from apera that has automatic two or three point calibration,

 

[Lbrasci]

He are some photos.

 

[Bperry]

He are some photos.

Did you confirm the FC reached 12 with your own test kit? You really need a reliable test kit or you’re flying blind.

 

[Lbrasci]

Did you confirm the FC reached 12 with your own test kit? You really need a reliable test kit or hour flying blind.

Not yet, waiting on my refills to come in.

 

[Bperry]

Not yet, waiting on my refills to come in.

You can probably add 3/4 of a gallon of liquid every day (~5ppm every day with 19k gallon pool) to maintain it at the level it’s at until your refills arrive. I was able to get rid of black algae at similar levels as your pictures with SLAM level chlorine. Didn’t need to pay someone $400 to do it. It took about a week if I remember correctly.

 

[mknauss]

Be sure to read the article linked above. Black Algae does not require maintaining SLAM level FC.

 

[Bperry]

Be sure to read the article linked above. Black Algae does not require maintaining SLAM level FC.

That’s interesting. Is the lower than SLAM level a recommendation specific to black algae because it works better than higher levels or is it more of a “not necessary” thing because the chlorine+brushing has enough of an effect?

 

[sacredcow]

That’s interesting. Is the lower than SLAM level a recommendation specific to black algae because it works better than higher levels or is it more of a “not necessary” thing because the chlorine+brushing has enough of an effect?

The latter. Without brushing, the protective coating keeps the colonies fairly safe from the chlorine.

I fought some small spots for ages a couple years ago- the stuff is tenacious and has a very strong will to live. After brushing, it also doesn't hurt to jump in the pool with a tablet of chlorine and rub over the spots to be sure they get a really good dose while their protective coating is damaged from the brushing.

I would frequently float around the pool with a small stainless brush and a chlorine tablet. Which, by the way, is less fun than floating around the pool with a Mai-Tai. Just saying. LOL

 

[Lbrasci]

Be sure to read the article linked above. Black Algae does not require maintaining SLAM level FC.

After reading article, slam not required. I’ll keep my FC level at 6 since my cya was at 30.

 

[Lbrasci]

The latter. Without brushing, the protective coating keeps the colonies fairly safe from the chlorine.

I fought some small spots for ages a couple years ago- the stuff is tenacious and has a very strong will to live. After brushing, it also doesn't hurt to jump in the pool with a tablet of chlorine and rub over the spots to be sure they get a really good dose while their protective coating is damaged from the brushing.

I would frequently float around the pool with a small stainless brush and a chlorine tablet. Which, by the way, is less fun than floating around the pool with a Mai-Tai. Just saying. LOL

is it safe to be in a pool rubbing at spots with chlorine tablet while black algae coating is floating in pool incase it gets ingested? I would do it if it’s safe.

 

[mknauss]

is it safe to be in a pool rubbing at spots with chlorine tablet while black algae coating is floating in pool incase it gets ingested? I would do it if it’s safe.

Other than the acidity of the tablet, so protect your skin and eyes, no issue.

Black algae is actually a mold.

 

[sacredcow]

Other than the acidity of the tablet, so protect your skin and eyes, no issue.

yeah, I wore a glove, and a mask if I was putting my face in the water.

 

[Bperry]

The latter. Without brushing, the protective coating keeps the colonies fairly safe from the chlorine.

I fought some small spots for ages a couple years ago- the stuff is tenacious and has a very strong will to live. After brushing, it also doesn't hurt to jump in the pool with a tablet of chlorine and rub over the spots to be sure they get a really good dose while their protective coating is damaged from the brushing.

I would frequently float around the pool with a small stainless brush and a chlorine tablet. Which, by the way, is less fun than floating around the pool with a Mai-Tai. Just saying. LOL

Hmm. Maybe I didn’t have real black algae. I just brought it up to SLAM and did a light brushing once a day for 5-7 days. The black spots were significantly lighter after the first day and gone after about that week.