Hey y'all, I'm stoked to have found this community and am reading tons of information. I'm wondering what I should do to treat a moderate black algae problem in my mom's pool. The pool is currently being drained and will be refilled ASAP, but what should I do while the pool is empty to fight the black algae? Pressure wash? Scrub? Acid wash? Chlorine wash? The pool is old but in good shape generally. I plan on taking control over the chemicals and learning the TFP methods once the pool is filled. But what should I do while I have the pool empty if anything? Thanks!!
Treating black algae when pool is empty
- Thread starter Tyler80
- Start date
Please do NOT pressure wash you plaster, you risk damage. Ditto for Acid Wash = loss of plaster.
A good scrub with liquid chlorine diluted 1:1 with water and a good scrub brush is a good idea while empty.
www.troublefreepool.com
Maddie
A good scrub with liquid chlorine diluted 1:1 with water and a good scrub brush is a good idea while empty.
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
Maddie
Thank you Maddie! That sounds appropriate. I definitely did read the black algae guide and am looking forward to future elbow grease.
Katodude
Silver Supporter
- Aug 22, 2017
- 2,623
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you really want to be certain, before you do what Maddie suggests. I would take a bamboo bbq skewer and pick at all the spots. Dig them out well. The scrub them with the brush and chlorine mixture. That way you make sure you get all the way down to the roots.
Katodude
Silver Supporter
- Aug 22, 2017
- 2,623
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
So it is better than trying to do it when the pool is full, ask me how I know.
The key to black algae is really getting down to the roots and then getting chlorine in to kill that. It has a very protective waxy layer so the more you can break through that the better.
Then and this is the most important part. When you fill back up you will need to run your FC hot. I have a SWG and I use the FC/CYA chart like I am a regular chlorine pool. The ideal is my new minimum. I completely ignore the minimum level that is way too low for me.
The key to black algae is really getting down to the roots and then getting chlorine in to kill that. It has a very protective waxy layer so the more you can break through that the better.
Then and this is the most important part. When you fill back up you will need to run your FC hot. I have a SWG and I use the FC/CYA chart like I am a regular chlorine pool. The ideal is my new minimum. I completely ignore the minimum level that is way too low for me.
Right on Kato.. I lightly pressure washed and then scrubbed the Crud out of the black algae with a stainless steel brush while the pool was empty then rained a 50/50 water/chlorine bath over it and scrubbed some more with a scrub brush, then rinsed.. I filled the pool up right after.. I ordered the t-100 pool kit should be here by Thursday hopefully then I'll get the levels up according to the black algae guide.. and then scrub scrub scrub!
scrub the black algae,and use chlorine diluted and leave it for a day then u can wash with water by scrubbing i think this will give you good result.
I nailed my black algae by spreading 1kg of trichlor granules wherever I saw algae. dissolves slowly, algae gone. FC up to 30 for a week. no brushing required. (I started off with TFP liquid shock and daily brushing method, what a chore.. I'll go back to trichlor every time now).
Be warned that those granules sitting there may bleach out your finish.
Maddie
Maddie