Black spots on ladder steps and green on liner

[gnhand]

I believe I’m getting algae in the pool. This is because I have black dots on the steps . When I rub them they turn greenish. And a hint of green algae on the downslope of the liner above the skimmer . Otherwise the water is crystal clear. See attached pictures of the two algae areas mentioned above.

my water test results have been right on target for a long period of time. I keep my fc at the high end of the target range. Please see my pool math test results- I post nearly every day.

I am baffled as to why I am getting algae. I will do an oclt test tonight. My cya has crept up to 90. So if I have to SLAM I need to lower my CYA ALOT which means I have to replace 40 to 50% of my water.

Any suggestions? And any ideas as to why I have developed algae with my fc staying in the 9.0 to 12.0 range for weeks?

 

[Bperry]

I believe I’m getting algae in the pool. This is because I have black dots on the steps . When I rub them they turn greenish. And a hint of green algae on the downslope of the liner above the skimmer . Otherwise the water is crystal clear. See attached pictures of the two algae areas mentioned above.

my water test results have been right on target for a long period of time. I keep my fc at the high end of the target range. Please see my pool math test results- I post nearly every day.

I am baffled as to why I am getting algae. I will do an oclt test tonight. My cya has crept up to 90. So if I have to SLAM I need to lower my CYA ALOT which means I have to replace 40 to 50% of my water.

Any suggestions? And any ideas as to why I have developed algae with my fc staying in the 9.0 to 12.0 range for weeks?

19 days ago your FC got too low for 90CYA. (2.7ppm)

BTW, how are you measuring 2.7ppm with a Taylor kit? Also remember the pH test is invalid with FC over 10ppm with the Taylor kit.

 

[gnhand]

19 days ago your FC got too low for 90CYA. (2.7ppm)

BTW, how are you measuring 2.7ppm with a Taylor kit? Also remember the pH test is invalid with FC over 10ppm with the Taylor kit.

Thanks and wow one day fc is below the minimum target can start the algae process?

I do know about ph over 10ppm

Dies everyone think that I should immediately start a SLAM.


I’m lowering my pool water right now - I may lower it 25 to 33% to get CYA to around 70 to start

 

[JamesW]

The ladder treads should be replaced.

They are old and oxidized and they are no longer safe.

I think the below is correct, but verify.

Econoline Plastic Tread | Pool Parts | S.R.Smith

19" Econoline Plastic Treads are made of heavy-duty plastic. Available in 2, 3, 4, or 5 step kits. Includes hardware. Recommended for residential ladders.

www.srsmith.com

Replace the bumpers with the blue XPAND-N-LOK bumpers.

Replace the nuts, bolts and washers if they are rusted.

Xpand-N-Lok Rubber Bumper – Male | Pool Parts | S.R.Smith

The Xpand-N-Lok male rubber bumper is recommended for ladders and use on 1.90" OD tubing with .049" to .065" wall thickness.

www.srsmith.com

 

[JamesW]

I think that this is the correct replacement tread.

Econoline Plastic Tread | Pool Parts | S.R.Smith

19" Econoline Plastic Treads are made of heavy-duty plastic. Available in 2, 3, 4, or 5 step kits. Includes hardware. Recommended for residential ladders.

www.srsmith.com

SR Smith Econoline Plastic Ladder Tread LTDF-101

S.R. Smith Econoline Plastic Ladder Tread LTDF-101 Heavy-duty plastic 3.44-inches wide x 18.25-inches long x 1.25-inches thick. 20-inch centerline mounting distance Mounting hardware bolts not included, ladder tread only

www.horizonpoolsupply.com

1981: We acquired Swan Manufacturing, which made ladders and rails —because jumping into the pool is fun, but sometimes it’s nice to just gently ease your way in. Throughout the 1980s we also added pool slides to our product lineup.

From 1932 to 2022: S.R.Smith’s 90-Year Timeline

From Portland, Oregon to the world, things have come a long way since we sold our first diving board in 1932.

www.srsmith.com

CMP Tread, SR Smith, Swan, 17-1/4", Plastic, White - 25562-000-000 - INYOPools.com

"PLASTIC LADDER TREAD, SWAN REPLACEMENT" (25562-000-000) - Pool & Spa Parts

www.inyopools.com

CMP Replacement for SR Smith 19"" Econoline Plastic Tread - LTDF-101 - INYOPools.com

LTDF-101 - STEP, LADDER 17 1/4IN (LTDF-101)

www.inyopools.com

How old is the ladder?

 

[Bperry]

Thanks and wow one day fc is below the minimum target can start the algae process?

I do know about ph over 10ppm

Dies everyone think that I should immediately start a SLAM.


I’m lowering my pool water right now - I may lower it 25 to 33% to get CYA to around 70 to start

It was probably more than one day to get that low. Your picture don’t show much as the deep picture looks like leaves. Possible that those are just pollen or decaying leaves as well. Even the ladder steps might be more susceptible since they are close to the surface.

Just do an OCLT and confirm.

 

[gnhand]

It was probably more than one day to get that low. Your picture don’t show much as the deep picture looks like leaves. Possible that those are just pollen or decaying leaves as well. Even the ladder steps might be more susceptible since they are close to the surface.

Just do an OCLT and confirm.

 

[kellyfair]

I assume you’ve been using pucks and that’s why your CYA is creeping up? I would stop using those and switch to LC. Also, is it possible your CYA is actually higher? I know the test is somewhat difficult. Can you describe your steps you take in testing it, and are you doing it outside and around the same time of day, each time?

You may have to do a couple of partial drain/refills, to get CYA down.

 

[gnhand]

No I’ve been using lc. The reason the CYA went up was because I was try to get it up to around 80 by using dry stabilizer

As I said above I dropped the pool by about 33%last yesterday. I have been adding water from the house beginning yesterday at 3 pm and I have about 3” to go.

Ithis morning pool was clear this afternoon all green . Please see attached pictures of green pool and my reading in pool math.

I have to add salt. My ph is 7.0. I have to add soda ash per pool math . And I have to start a SLAM process. I have 73% cal hypo (25lbs) which I thought I d start with since I only have 2 or 3 gals of lc. Will the 73% cal hypo increase CYA?

Please advise what I should do first

 

[Bperry]

No I’ve been using lc. The reason the CYA went up was because I was try to get it up to around 80 by using dry stabilizer

As I said above I dropped the pool by about 33%last yesterday. I have been adding water from the house beginning yesterday at 3 pm and I have about 3” to go.

Ithis morning pool was clear this afternoon all green . Please see attached pictures of green pool and my reading in pool math.

I have to add salt. My ph is 7.0. I have to add muriatic acid. And I have to start a SLAM process.

Please advise what I should do first

If your pH is 7.0 then you absolutely don’t need to add any acid. That will reduce your pH even more.

If you are doing a SLAM, you just need to add liquid chlorine. Don’t add any salt or anything else until the SLAM is over.

 

[gnhand]

If your pH is 7.0 then you absolutely don’t need to add any acid. That will reduce your pH even more.

If you are doing a SLAM, you just need to add liquid chlorine. Don’t add any salt or anything else until the SLAM is over.

See above I corrected myself about the acid

 

[gnhand]

See above I corrected myself about the acid

Is there a reason not to use the 73% cal hypo? I don’t have enough liquid chlorine

 

[gnhand]

Is there a reason not to use the 73% cal hypo? I don’t have enough liquid chlorine

And what is the best way to fix the green algae problem

 

[Bperry]

Is there a reason not to use the 73% cal hypo? I don’t have enough liquid chlorine

Calhypo will spike your calcium levels.

 

[Bperry]

And what is the best way to fix the green algae problem

Follow the SLAM process with liquid chlorine. If you monitor your calcium, you can use a little bit of it but if you use too much, your calcium levels will spike and then you’ll have to drain water to get rid of it. Liquid chlorine doesn’t have those issues.

 

[gnhand]

When you say it will spike the calcium level , can you quantify that? I just used all of my lc . The next time I check the fc level in about 3 hrs I will add the recommended amount of cal- hypo. I’m guessing maybe 3 lbs and the same when I get up tomorrow.

About How much will that spike my ch level .

Tomorrow afternoon I will purchase some more lc

 

[gnhand]

I assume you’ve been using pucks and that’s why your CYA is creeping up? I would stop using those and switch to LC. Also, is it possible your CYA is actually higher? I know the test is somewhat difficult. Can you describe your steps you take in testing it, and are you doing it outside and around the same time of day, each time?

You may have to do a couple of partial drain/refills, to get CYA down.

No pucks all lc. I added dry stabilizer to the pool several time attempting to raise CYA to recommended level of 75-80 for SWG. I’m assuming that I overshot the mark.

I drained about 33% of water - my current reading CYA ~ 60. See my posts in pool math.

I normally do my test when the sun is down in late afternoon. Many times it’s in the kitchen with all my lights on and near a window if there is outside daylight. If there is daylight I go out and check my readings. Yes the test is difficult and I try very hard to be consistent with my readings but I would not be willing to bet on the accuracy of the results.

So now I’ve started a Slam. You can see that in my pool math logs along with notes.

 

[Bperry]

When you say it will spike the calcium level , can you quantify that? I just used all of my lc . The next time I check the fc level in about 3 hrs I will add the recommended amount of cal- hypo. I’m guessing maybe 3 lbs and the same when I get up tomorrow.

About How much will that spike my ch level .

Tomorrow afternoon I will purchase some more lc

In pool math app, click the menu in the upper left and open the “effects of adding” tool. It’ll let you fill out the info on how much calcium is being added for each lb you add.

 

[gnhand]

I’m not sure why I got algae bloom. My fc level was 6.5 when I got home tonight. Yesterday it was 9.0. Yesterday I read my CYA up around 90.

Does anyone think maybe it’s higher than I think. I’m very careful when I’m doing the readings but I can’t think of anything else to explain todays algae bloom???

 

[gnhand]

In pool math app, click the menu in the upper left and open the “effects of adding” tool. It’ll let you fill out the info on how much calcium is being added for each lb you add.

Thank you - now I get it . It indicates that if I add 3lbs my ch increases by 15. Since my pool is vinyl and ch is ~170 I have some leeway to use cal-hypo till I can purchase more lc.