How long should it take to clear black algae

[PoolDoc]

Controlled, not defeated.

Think of it as "cancer", and that with proper treatment (adequate chlorine levels ALL the time) you can keep your pool in remission.

Ben

PS. The only reliable way I know of "defeating it" means a new surface -- either plaster or epoxy paint.

[joecus]

Pooldoc - I'm not sure if you caught that I have a liner pool. Does that change anything? Any idea of how much bleach I should use on a normal day (no algae).

[Watermom]

Joe,
Ben probably did miss that part. He's out of pocket for a bit, so it may be a couple of days before he is able to get back to this thread.

A couple of questions for you? What kind of kit are you using? You cannot use the dilution method for extended periods of time, especially when you are going to really high levels like you seem to be doing.

I'm concerned what you may be doing to your liner with these kinds of high chlorine levels. Are we sure it is black algae?

Check that and maintain your chlorine levels for now until Ben is able to get back to you on this thread.

The way Ben suggests to check to see if it really is black algae is to scrape some off, and under your fingernail. Then, dry off, and smear the stuff under your fingernail onto a white index card. If the smear is green -- you have 'black' algae. Maybe you can try that to verify if it is indeed black algae.

I think we may have suggested it before up in this thread (don't have time right now to reread the entire thread) but in case we didn't, you need to get a good kit! (Amazon link below.)

[PoolDoc]

-- Momentarily camping out in the cabin owner's office --

I did miss the liner bit; if it is black algae, you can eradicate it from a liner pool. But . . . you must get all of it, and you should try the "shmear' test Watermom described to verify that that's what you actually have. In liner pools, plasticizer bleeding can look like black algae, but algaecides won't help at all.

Ben

[joecus]

OK, I will do that. Any other suggestions, ph? Something is burning a lot of chlorine. What, other than algae, can do this? Should I switch back to tablets? Like I said, I'm using gallons and gallons of bleach. Thanks for your help.

[Watermom]

Don't switch back to tablets. They have CYA in them and you do not want that any higher. If you can find someplace that sells liquid chlorine at a higher concentration, that would be fewer jugs to contend with. (Some places sell 10 or 12.5% sodium hypochlorite. Bleach is 6% sodium hypochlorite.)

I'm not sure what your question is about pH. Yours is fine at 7.6.

Stay the course. Test and add bleach every few hours if you can. No such thing as too often when fighting algae. Report results from the "smear" test.

[joecus]

Thanks, I will continue to add the bleach. I am really at a loss. Is there anything other than an algae that could cause this?