Sand Algae?? w Pictures

[bstrojny]

We added a spa to our existing pool. The pool company is now out of business and did NOT do a proper start up.
Brown spots which will not rub off. Looks like sand but it is hard and part of the concrete.

Is this sand algae? Any suggestions for removal and will it come back?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Sounds like your brown spots could be scale.

How old is your spa? When was it done? What is the finish?

Do you have your own test kit?

Post your water chemistry:

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
SALT
WATER TEMPERATURE

How do you chlorinate your pool & spa?

Does your spa spillover run constantly?

 

[bstrojny]

Yes the spa spillover runs from 9am-9pm daily when pump is on. Only shuts off when bypass for hot tub is running
It is a salt chlorinator system.

Spa was added 18 months ago to an existing pool. Entire pool was resprayed w concrete and finished to match but it sounds like startup was not done properly. PH numbers were not good so I fired them and hired Red Rhino to help me figure it out. They are struggling as well and think we need to resurface a brand new spa?? That seems ridiculous.

Here are the only numbers I have now:

cyanuric acid 30
alkalinity 40
ph 7.2
free chlorine 3ppm
total hardness 250

Appreciate the advice a ton!

 

[ajw22]

When you say pH numbers where not good where they high or low?

Take some 80/100 grit wet/dry sandpaper and sandpaper an area and see how it smooths out and looks.

You can have the spa drained and sanded smooth. Either by hand or using diamond pads in a power sander. With all the curves in a spa it will take significant hand work to smooth many areas.

I doubt it will come back once you smooth it out if you maintain proper water chemistry.

I suggest you review...

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bstrojny]

Many thanks. Appreciate the suggestion.

PH was very high during the startup phase. Glad they are out of business so they don't do this to any more new pools.

 

[ajw22]

PH was very high during the startup phase. Glad they are out of business so they don't do this to any more new pools.

High pH can cause scaling.