I have a brand new in ground shotcrete pool with Krystal Krete finish. Quartz Pool Finishes | Krystalkrete. It was filled March 18th. I am battling black algae for the past two weeks. I have a pool service and technician has not eliminated it yet. I have the owner coming out today to look at it. I am thinking I may have a phosphate problem. I always thought that black algae was a problem in older pool not new pools. I am wondering if this could be a construction issue? If so I will need to contact my pool builder.
Brand new pool with a black algae problem
- Thread starter Faithers03
- Start date
Can you post some pictures of this? It would be very odd to have a black algae issue within a month of filling a new pool.
Also do you have one of the recommended test kits that you could post a set of test results from? That would help as well.
Also do you have one of the recommended test kits that you could post a set of test results from? That would help as well.
I do not have a test kit because I just kept the pool service that builder was using. The close ups are on the sunshelf. The other two pictures are about mid length along the pool near the walls. You'll notice there is regular algae on the walls too which is why I was thinking maybe I have a phosphate problem. Maybe it's not black algae? I am not an expert by any stretch I. I just know black algae doesn't usually happen on new pools.
Doesn't look like black algae, though that does look like some green algae starting to grow in that area. Pool service doesn't seem to be very good if that's the case.
Have you had the lawn near the pool fertilized recently, by chance?
Have you had the lawn near the pool fertilized recently, by chance?
Black algae is a type of bacteria.
Black algae looks like a dark green/blue mold.
If you can't scrape it off like mold, it's not black algae.
Try a magnet on a spot to see if it sticks to see if it's iron from below the surface.
Black algae looks like a dark green/blue mold.
If you can't scrape it off like mold, it's not black algae.
Try a magnet on a spot to see if it sticks to see if it's iron from below the surface.
I have not had the yard fertilized near the pool. This pool replaced another pool that was in the middle of our yard that was fertilized often and it was a nightmare. I took care of that one myself. Yes, I am going to give them another 10 days to fix and then I will just go back to doing it myself. It does scrape off, here it is on a paper towel.
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Hmm, I could be wrong then, that does look organic.
Phosphates aren't your problem. Neither this nor green algae would be growing if the chlorine were at an acceptable level. Do you have any kind of test kit? Even a cheap Chlorine/pH one?
Phosphates aren't your problem. Neither this nor green algae would be growing if the chlorine were at an acceptable level. Do you have any kind of test kit? Even a cheap Chlorine/pH one?
Sounds like low chlorine and possibly incompetent pool service. Do you know what they have added to the pool so far?
Why is the pool service allowing the pool to get algae? Or not fixing it promptly? That pool needs chlorine, chlorine and more chlorine!
Please read this--> ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC/CYA Levels
Maddie
Please read this--> ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC/CYA Levels
Maddie
Definitely get your own test kit and begin testing it yourself.
Maintain the chemistry and brush frequently.
Maintain the chemistry and brush frequently.
I would like to recommend the TF-100 pool tester- the money you spend on it will repay you in savings very quickly!
www.tftestkits.net
www.tftestkits.net
DoubleEcho
Bronze Supporter
I second Yippee's post - the TF-100 has a ton of reagents that you'll find useful. You're definitely going to need the R-0870 and R-0871 reagents but the others will come in handy once you're just maintaining.
TF-100 Test Kit
Think of the money you pay your pool service, you're saving a heck of a lot more doing this yourself.
TF-100 Test Kit
Think of the money you pay your pool service, you're saving a heck of a lot more doing this yourself.