How To Spot Black Algae
Not all the dark spots in your pool are black algae. You need to know if what you are dealing with are black algae before begging the process of removing it. Here is how you can tell if the dark spots in your pool are black algae or not.
- Black algae do not brush off easily from the walls
- It harbors in the rough areas of the pool plaster
- The spot is not free floating and it is either blue, green, or black
- You can easily confuse it with a mineral stain that can discolor the tiles.
- It is found even in pools with proper sanitation and filtration
Spotting black algae requires you to conduct regular cleaning of your swimming pool. The earlier you deal with these growths, the easier it will be to contain it.
How To Prevent Re
Just because your pool is now clean does not mean that you will not have to deal with black algae ever again. If you did not get it this time, be more aggressive and you will get rid of it.
If your pool is now black algae free, you definitely want to keep it that way. To do this, you will need to:
- Wash all your swimsuits, toys and floats after you have been swimming in the ocean
- Maintain the proper chemistry levels of the pool water. Make sure you check it regularly
- Always run your pump 8 to 12 hours each day throughout each season to filter off any tiny spores
- Brush and vacuum your pool regularly to keep it clean. Use a quality brush and vacuum
- Clean and sanitize all the pool equipment toys, floats, ladders, steps, covers, diving board, solar blankets, and any other thing that is in contact with the pool.
- Shock your pool weekly. 1 pound per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Use an extra heavy chlorine treatment to make your pool a harsh breeding ground for the black algae
Remember, stopping black algae from growing is better and easier than getting rid of it. Be keen with your cleaning procedure, especially if you are doing it yourself, otherwise hire a pool service company to help service and maintain your pool.
Should I Use Shock Or Algaecide First
Algaecide should be used after each shock treatment, so it has a better chance to support your chlorine as it works its magic. Be sure to shock your pool first, then when the chlorine levels of your pool return to normal, add the correct amount of algaecide to several places around your pool while your pump is running.
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Eliminate Algae Of All Types
The goal is to never have algae. Test your water regularly, keep your filter clean and in good working order, and be sure to treat your water after big pool parties. Using a floating pool skimmer and chemical dispenser like the Solar-Breeze NX2 or newest Ariel by Solar-Breeze will remove debris from the surface of your pool before it has a chance to sink, decay, and turn into food for algae. With careful pool maintenance, algae can be one thing you do not have to worry about.
What Are The Types Of Algae And How Do You Remove Them
- Green algae can cling to the wall or float in the water. Get rid of it by brushing the pool, shocking, and adding Algaecide 60.
- Black algae looks like black spots and feels slimy. Get rid of it by aggressively brushing the algae and adding Algaecide 60.
- Mustard algae looks like sand in the bottom of the pool. Get rid of it by aggressively brushing the algae and adding Algaecide 60.
- If the pool is full of algae, add a flocculant to the water and vacuum up the coagulated algae that settles on the bottom of the pool.
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Three Brush And Scrub Your Pool
Thoroughly brush your Vinyl pool. To loosen the black algae off the pools surfaces into the pools water, where the chlorine will be able to kill it. Use the Nylon bristled algae brush for this process, but you must use the brush thoroughly for best results. This will also include using a soft sponge to scrub the remaining black algae spots left in your pool.
One Clean Your Filter
If you have black algae in your vinyl pool, there is a higher chance that you also have black algae in your pool filter. If the black algae are mild, you can backwash your standard DE filters or rinse your cartridge filter with plain water. However, if the bacteria problem is extensive, it is advisable to use filter cleaner.
It is also advisable to replace the cartridge or filter medium. This helps to get rid of any live black algae bacteria.
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How To Kill Black Algae In Your Pool
Keeping your pool clean is one of the most important lessons I will preach. Failure to keep your swimming pool clean can cause all sorts of problems. Black algae are one of the worst contaminants you will come across.
Due to black algaes appearance, its relatively easy to spot if it grows in your pool. Killing it isnt always the most straightforward task, but its necessary since black algae can be nasty for your health. In this guide, I will tell you what black algae is, how to prevent it, and a step-by-step process for removing it from your pool. For more cleaning tips, read my guide on how to clean a pool.
How Do You Know You Have Black Algae In Your Pool
We all know to this point that these black algae, the cyanobacteria, are hard to differentiate from dirt and other black staff that can grow in your swimming pool.
It starts like a tiny black dot or huge mold clumps. At times its more blue-green color than black. In fiberglass and vinyl liners, the black algae appear as seldom.
Here are the signs to look for when you suspect your swimming pool has black algae:
- If you spot black or blue-green clumps or spots with raised heads and attached to the pool surfaces nothing floating freely in water
- It sticks to the rough areas of your pool floor and walls with a stronghold.
- When cleaning the wall, they are sticky to the pool surface, and they dont come off quickly with a regular brush. It might even take some effort when removing it with an algae brush.
- When cleaning the wall, they are sticky to the pool surface, and they dont come off quickly with a regular brush. It might even take some effort when removing it with an algae brush.
- Unlike stains, they come off after some persistent scrapping.
It might appear even when youre proactive in balancing your pool water chemistry, sanitize it, and ensure it stays filtered. It has other ways of getting into your swimming pool like water source.
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Theres Black Algae In My Pool: What Can I Do
Having a pool at home is an amazing way to enjoy your backyard, entertain guests and cool off. Unfortunately, the environment around swimming pools also provides a breeding ground for the kinds of guests you dont want, such as algae. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get rid of algae and keep it from coming back to your pool in the future.
One of the most frustrating invaders in swimming pools is black algae. This type of algae is also known as blue-green algae. Despite its name, black algae is actually a type of bacteria that looks like black or dark blue-green mold. Not only can black algae make your pool look dirty and uninviting, but it can also be dangerous for anyone who gets in your pool. Swimming in or accidentally drinking pool water thats infected with black algae can lead to serious health issues like liver damage.
The first step in fighting back against black algae is to make sure thats truly what youre dealing with. The best way to do this is to contact a pool professional. These pros have the training and experience to figure out what is growing in your pool. Also, they have the specialized tools and products needed to eliminate black algae and deal with any other pool issues youre facing.
If you would like to try to tackle the issue on your own, there are some signs you can look for that might indicate you have black algae in your pool:
When To Use An Algaecide In Your Pool
How the algaecide works against algae in the pool has not been scientifically clarified.
It is assumed that algaecides disrupt the normal cell processes such as cell division and the energy transport of algae, but we do not want to deal with that in more detail.
Much more interesting for pool owners is which types of algae in the pool and whirlpool can be eliminated and prevented with the algaecide.
So, when do you have to use an algaecide in your pool?
Fortunately, pool owners only have to deal with a few types of algae in the pool:
- Green algae: Green algae are the most common algae in a pool. The green algae multiply rapidly despite good water values when the weather changes. An algaecide is not necessary, but it can inhibit the growth of green algae.
- Yellow algae: The yellow algae are rare, but occasionally occur in private swimming pools.
- Black Algae: The black alga is dangerous and very difficult to remove from the pool. The use of an algaecide is therefore recommended.
- Pink algae: In reality, there are no pink algae, and it is a slimy pink biofilm caused by bacteria. You can use an algaecide to inhibit the pink slime growth.
Under the links, you will find further information and step-by-step instructions against each algae species in the blog.
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Good News It Can Be Prevented Heres How:
The trick is to keep your water properly balanced and clean.
Be sure to:
- Keep pH, alkalinity and sanitiser levels in the recommended range.
- Run your pump and filter all day long .
- Clean your swimming pool thoroughly and regularly by brushing it, vacuuming it and hosing it down.
- Add pool-shock once a week .
- Maintain your pool equipment by keeping it sanitised this includes any floats or toys that are likely to make contact with the water.
You could also shop around for some algaecide. This is a chemical formaula that attacks algae and prevents a reoccurance.
While chlorine is the all-round best method, this stuff is still worth trying. Unlike chlorine, it doesnt get affected by mineral content, water temperature, sunlight or pH levels.
How Do You Get Black Algae In Your Pool
You can get black algae through a variety of sources, but it’s mainly introduced into your pool through sources such as unwashed bathing suits or inner tubes that you may have used in the ocean or the river. You did remember to wash those things before you put them in your pool, right? One less common way of getting algae in your pool is through the air.
So for now, let’s examine what exactly black algae is. Once we know that, it’ll be much easier to get rid of it.
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Test And Balance The Water
Ensuring your pool water levels are where they need to be helps determine how much how much pool shock to use when you get to that step, and will help the shock kill the black algae in your pool.
You can use test strips or a liquid test kit. You dont need to concern yourself with levels for things like calcium hardness right now. Focus on alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer, and shoot for optimal levels.
- alkalinity: 100 ppm to 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal
- pH: 7.4 to 7.6
- chlorine: 1 ppm to 3 ppm
If those levels are out of whack, adjust them before proceeding.
Retest And Readjust The Water Chemistry
The repeated scrubbing and adding of chemicals to the pool might have offset the water chemistry. So retest and readjust the alkalinity and pool pH.
After getting rid of the black algae spots, keep tabs on the pool for a few days to see if any black head will pop up again. If it does, shock and scrub the pool yet again.
You can also use algaecides to get rid of mild cases of black algae.
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Have A Long Hard Look At Your Pool Water
Failing to monitor the pH levels of your pool could mean your black algae problem only gets worse.
This is why its important to make sure your pH levels are between 7.4 and 7.6, and your alkalinity is between 120 and 150 parts per million. Doing so will keep the chlorine working at maximum efficiency.
Of course, youll need a test kit like the one below to properly monitor everything.
What Causes Black Algae In Pool
Black algae or blue-green algae in pools is usually transferred from natural bodies of water like oceans, ponds, and lakes by clinging onto swimwear. If the swimwear is hasnt been washed before using a swimming pool, the algae can be transferred into the pool.
Black algae doesnt naturally occur in backyard swimming pools. Unwashed swimwear is the primary way it is transferred.
Once inside the pool, it can multiply quickly.
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Brush The Black Algae Patches
Use a steel-bristled pool brush for concrete pools, or a nylon brush for fiberglass or liner pools, to scrub the spots where the black algae is. Brushing these spots will loosen the grip that the black algae has on the pool walls, so its easier to remove. Youll need to use quite a lot of effort when scrubbing.
As stated earlier, black algae has strong and long roots that run deep into the pool frame. So even after you have scraped and scrubbed the black algae, chances are the roots will still be inside the pool walls.
If you paid attention in science class, then you know that if the roots are still alive, the black algae can still grow.
To kill the roots, you should
Category Three Pink Algae
Pink algae is actually bacteria that comes in streak or spot form and appears in your pools corners and crevices. It grows very slowly, and it most likely wont take over your whole pool. It works best in pools with bad filtration, and itll attach to any smooth surface like the walls or pool toys. To treat it, you have to increase the chlorine levels in your pool and apply shock.
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Brush Your Pool Again And Again
Brush your pool at least 3 to 4 times a week, concentrating on where you first spotted the algae. Remember, black algae has deep roots that can be embedded into your pool walls. It may look like its gone, but its probably still there. Just keep brushing. Continue brushing for several days after you see it starting to dissipate.
This is, however, not a guarantee. Black algae is relentless and could continue to infect your water. If it does, you know how to kill it, just be more aggressive next time. Perhaps consider an additional dose of acid and chlorine and constant brushing.
Don’t forget to use some Black Spot Remover to make sure that the not only does the black algae brush off easier, but they stay off as well.
Test And Balance Your Pool Water Again
After all that work your algae problem should be a thing of the past. Now it’s time to get back to the fun stuff, like balancing your pool water once more. Your chlorine might be a little on the high side, but no worries. It’ll decrease in time. Next, your pH might be above the normal range of 7.2 – 7.8. A little muriatic or dry acid will bring it back in line.
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How Do You Measure The Algaecide In The Pool
You are probably also wondering how to measure the algicide in the pool?
As already mentioned, you will notice an overdose of the algaecide on the green coloration of your hair, nails, and clothing but it should not come to that.
Unfortunately, the algaecide cannot be measured with a simple test strip. It is strongly recommended to follow the dosage instructions for the algaecide.
When used weekly with the correct dosage, the measurement is not necessary.
Alternatively, you can use a modern water tester, which can even measure heavy metals in addition to the disinfectants, the pH value, and the alkalinity.
What Causes Black Algae In Pools
Black algae usually arent introduced into pools through your local water supply or through rainwater. Instead, it is carried into your pool by people. When someone swims in a natural body of water like a pond, river, lake, or pool with black algae, the spores cling to your swimwear. These spores are then carried into your pool when someone swims in your pool when wearing the same swimwear.
Black algae can be carried into pools through airborne spores but this is a rare occurrence. You can also get black algae when floodwaters carry these spores into your swimming pool.
Fungal spores are usually killed by recommended pH and chlorine levels. But if the levels are not strong enough to kill the fungi, they will quickly deposit on your pool surfaces and grow. As it grows, it will become more resilient against algaecides and pool shock treatment.
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