I have severe calcium scaling through the entire surface of the pool. Now it looks like I have black algae problem as well. I was away on vacation for a week and had the salt cell on at 40%. Came back today and my FC is at zero and seeing black staining all around the pool surface. Should I treat the black algae first or get rid of the calcium scaling first? I have plenty of Scaletec plus bottles and plan on using them. Thanks!
Severe Calcium Buildup and now Black Algae
- Thread starter MacGeng
- Start date
cdadams1223
Silver Supporter
- May 9, 2023
- 212
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite Pro (T-15)
I’m sure the pros will chime in soon but for starters, have you tested your water yet and if so what are you using? The folks at TFP do not recommend pool store testing or guess
strips. If you don’t have a good kit, the recommended kits are either the TF-Pro Salt or the K-2006C.
Test Kits Compared
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strips. If you don’t have a good kit, the recommended kits are either the TF-Pro Salt or the K-2006C.
Test Kits Compared
How big is your pool in gallons? Download the
PoolMath app, configure it to your pool, and we can help you get going.
I'm using Taylor to test.
7 Days ago before I left for vacation
FC 4.5
PH 7.4
TA 70
CYA 55
Borate 50
Salt 3000
SWCG at 40%
Came home today and the plaster looks really dark. I'll take some pictures tomorrow.
FC 0
PH 8.2+
TA 90
CYA 55
Borate 50
Salt 3000
SWCG at 40%
7 Days ago before I left for vacation
FC 4.5
PH 7.4
TA 70
CYA 55
Borate 50
Salt 3000
SWCG at 40%
Came home today and the plaster looks really dark. I'll take some pictures tomorrow.
FC 0
PH 8.2+
TA 90
CYA 55
Borate 50
Salt 3000
SWCG at 40%
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,070
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do you have any liquid chlorine? I would use that ASAP to get your chlorine up to at least 5 since chlorine should be the priority over any calcium issues. Then you can do an OCLT to see if you are losing any chlorine overnight due to algae.
Can you post the model of test kit you have and do you have a calcium hardness test result you can post?
Can you post the model of test kit you have and do you have a calcium hardness test result you can post?
I have the Taylor Deluxe I got from Leslie’s. CH is 300. I’ll run OCLT tonight but I’m 100 sure it’s black algae.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Show us a pic of your test kit and reagents.
Does the kit have the Taylor R-0870 and R-0871 reagents?
Does the kit have the Taylor R-0870 and R-0871 reagents?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Can you scrape the black spots off?
When you smear the scraped spot on a white paper what does it look like?
www.troublefreepool.com
When you smear the scraped spot on a white paper what does it look like?
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
Can you scrape the black spots off?
When you smear the scraped spot on a white paper what does it look like?
Black Algae
This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.
No I can’t. It’s baked on the calcium scale that’s covered the entire pool.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Then you need to deal with the calcium scale first.
wow. what could it be then? I tried to get it off with a wire brush and it's not coming off.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- Mar 5, 2020
- 3,221
- Pool Size
- 66000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V35
This looks like the K-2005, which is identical to the K-2006 for pH, TA, CH and CYA, but doesn't have the FAS/DPD reagents for chlorine, which is essential for the TFP method.
You could just add the "SLAM Option" kit from TFtestkits, which is just R-0870 and R-0871. The R-0003 for CC you have in your kit, so you can save a few dollars by buying the SLAM Option rather than the complete FAS/DPD test kit.
SLAM Option
Not sure if this refill kit comes with test instructions, but you can find them here:
FAS-DPD Chlorine Test
The FAS-DPD chlorine test is used to find the level of Free Chlorine in the … Read more…
www.troublefreepool.com
oh, you might be right. I shocked the pool last week with liquid chlorine and I've been using it to raise the FC level in conjunction with the salt cell.
Since it's staining on the calcium scale. I should treat the pool for that first right?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That is the Taylor K-2005 test kit that Leslie's has rebranded for sale in their stores.
You can add the FAS-DPD testkit - K-1515 - to upgrade your kit to a K-2006 test kit. The FAS-DPD test allows measuring higher FC levels needed for the TFP methods.
I did the OCLT test last night, and no FC loss. I rechecked FC this morning with the sun blasting, and no FC loss. I'm guessing it's metal stain from using liquid chlorine as you guys have said. So now what, I can't use liquid chlorine in my salt pool anymore because it will cause staining?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,165
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
People with swcg use liquid chlorine all the time for a quick boost after an event or a heavy bathing load.
Every chlorine pool has salt in it. Many already at the levels needed for a swcg.
Every chlorine pool has salt in it. Many already at the levels needed for a swcg.