Black algae is conventionally thought to be the hardest of the contaminants that a pool owner can experience. Contrary to the green algae, which drifts on the water, the black algae is in fact a cyanobacteria that roots deep into the porous surfaces of the concrete and gunite pools. It creates a defensive and greasy layer that prevents the effects of sanitizers, and normal chlorine becomes ineffective on it. When you find black spots on the walls of your swimming pool, and they cannot be removed easily, then something must be done to do it immediately and forcefully. This is an instructional guide on the manual, labor-intensive procedure required to remove this recalcitrant intruder and get your pool back to its healthy state.
Understanding the Enemy
In order to kill black algae, it is important that you know its biology. It never grows overnight like green algae, but it gets along very slowly, and is usually acquired in the form of minute, dark dots or coin-shaped spots. It is the colony heads in these spots. The actual threat is also understated as the microscopic roots go deep into the plaster or grout. This root system enables this algae to regenerate even when the spots have been taken away. In addition, the organism also produces a gelatinous cover, which is used as a protective layer against chemicals. So, merely shocking the water will not be sufficient; you have to physically violate this defense to kill its root.
Stanford University supplies and necessities
The right equipment should be acquired before commencing the removal process. Once you start using the wrong tools, you may destroy your pool liner or not even get through the defenses of the algae.
In the case of concrete, gunite, or plaster pools, a stainless steel brush is required. The algae have a hard outer shell that can not be broken by nylon brushes, which are too soft. There is, however, one exception: with a vinyl or fiberglass pool, you should use a nylon brush to prevent tearing the liner, though black algae is much less common in these types of pools due to the much smoother surfaces. Calcium hypochlorite shock in large amounts, a special algaecide designed to kill black algae (which is usually loaded with copper or silver), and chlorine tablets will also be required.
The Step-wise Process of Removal
It takes time to eradicate black algae. It is hardly a single-day task and may need a series of days or weeks to finish the task, as the roots are fully destroyed.
Sanitize All Pool Equipment
Do not leave any toys, floats, or cleaning equipment in the pool before the treatment of the water. The spores of black algae may be concealed in the garments of the swimsuits or the cracks of any noodles in the pool. Wash swimsuits in hot water and rough up all equipment with a bleach and water mixture. When you fail to sanitize such things, then you may end up reintroducing the algae yourself when you have just completed the cleaning of the pool.
Check and Water Balance Water Chemistry
Check the water of your pool to ascertain that the pH and the alkalinity are in check. The pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6. The importance of this balance is the fact that high PH levels decrease the efficiency of chlorine. In starting the shock treatment, you want your sanitizer to be in optimum effect.
Vicious Scrubbing Processes
This is the most fundamental stage. You should furiously work with your stainless steel brush, cleaning every visible part of the algae. This is not to wash the surface, but to break the waxy defensive shell of the heads of the algae. By solemnizing this seal, you open a route for the killing chemicals of the algae to infiltrate down to the roots. Do not be weak; the shell will not be washed; the chemicals will pass round it, and the algae will live.
The Triple Shock Method
When the algae heads are affected then it is time to shock the pool. Stock market shocks are not big enough. You must do a triple shock, to put the chlorine level to about 30 parts per million (ppm). This should be done in the evening so that the chlorine is not burnt by the sun. Put in the skimmer and add calcium hypochlorite,e or pre-dissolve it in the bucket according to the requirements of the products Intensive areas on the floor of the pool, you can switch off the pump and sprinkle on the granular shock areas on the poo,l and the algae will sit and burn into the roots. Careful though, it can whiten the pool surfaces.
Use Algaecide and Brush Again
Following a shock, place high-quality algaecide that is black algae specific. Algaecides based on copper are also efficient, although a good dosage is to be observed to prevent staining. After the chemicals have been applied to the water, scrub the affected sections once more. The second brushing assists in the extraction of the high concentration of chlorine and algaecide into the roots that you exposed in the initial scrub.
Repetitive Filtration and Cleaning
When you are treating your pool, you need to use your pool pump 24 hours a day to make sure that the chemicals are evenly distributed. Always check your filter pressure gauge. The death of the algae and its removal from the walls will clog the filter. Turn backwash sand filters / clean cartridge filters immediately when the pressure increases. A dirty filter may be a carrier of live spores of algae that can re-infest the pool.
The Automated Maintenance Role
After the outbreak is contained, ensuring that the environment is clean is the ultimate measure of preventing recurrence. Still water and low circulation are the main factors of algae growth. In order to keep your pool clean without spending the rest of your time cleaning up, you may use a combination of automating your routine.
Having a trusted pool cleaner will ensure the constant flow of water and will eliminate organic matter that will be fed on by algae. Although black algae require the use of manual brushing to remove them, machines can assist in the daily maintenance of the same. By spending money on the most appropriate best pool cleaner when buying one, you will be guaranteed that the floors and walls of your pool are scrubbed on a regular basis, avoiding the formation of biofilm in the first instance. They are used to enhance the circulation in the deep end and corners where algae is likely to conceal itself.
Elucidating Future Prevention
When the algae that can be seen disappears do not think that the battle is finished. Keep brushing the previously infected areas at least once a week. It is advisable to maintain a slightly higher concentration of chlorine than usual for a few weeks to ensure that any remaining roots are killed.
Prevention should be done with vigilance in the long term. Have adequate levels of sanitizers at all times, as well as shock the swimming pool once per week during the swimming season. Always clean the wall, even though it may seem clean, as a way of breaking down the microscopic growth. In the last point, clean your pool filter frequently and make sure that your pump is functioning long enough to circulate the amount of water each day.
Conclusion
Removal of black algae is a strenuous activity that involves physical work and accuracy in the use of chemicals. It cannot and cannot be short cut, and the roots must be cut so that they will not grow again. Nonetheless, a rigorous cleaning procedure of scrubbing, king and filtering will give you back your pool. When the water is no longer cloudy, it is better to have a regular cleaning schedule and use automated cleaning devices to make sure that your backyard oasis is safe and glorious and that no stubborn intruders are present in it.
