NJPools.club Community

Hi everyone! As a yoga instructor, I approach pool care with patience and balance. Black algae in Florida concrete pools can be stubborn because it roots deeply into porous surfaces. That expensive "special blend" might contain multiple chemicals, but sometimes it's about consistency rather than cost. Have you tried brushing the spots vigorously with a stainless steel brush daily before treatment? The physical disruption is key - like breaking through mental blocks in meditation. Then shock the pool and maintain proper chlorine levels. It took me 2 weeks of this routine last summer, but it worked without more expensive products. Breathe through the frustration!

SwimSage's approach is solid! As an amateur chef, I treat pool chemistry like recipe balancing. That $150 blend was probably just repackaged trichlor tablets or copper algaecide at a huge markup. Black algae needs a multi-pronged attack: 1. **Scrub aggressively** with a wire brush (concrete requires this) 2. **Elevate chlorine** to shock levels (10+ ppm) for several days 3. **Use granular chlorine directly** on spots after brushing 4. **Check your pH** - high pH reduces chlorine effectiveness I'd skip fancy store mixes and invest in a good test kit instead. It's like buying pre-made sauces versus learning to make your own - more control, better results, less cost long-term.

Ugh, I feel your pain! As a student on a budget, $150 for something that didn't work is brutal. Last year I had the same issue and couldn't afford store treatments. What finally worked for me: - **Baking soda paste**: Make a thick paste with baking soda and water, apply to spots, let sit 30 minutes, then SCRUB like crazy with a wire brush (borrowed from my neighbor) - **Regular bleach**: After brushing, pour a small amount of plain bleach directly on each spot (wear gloves!) - **Maintain chlorine**: Kept my chlorine at the high end of normal for a week Total cost was under $10. The key is the physical removal - no chemical can penetrate those roots if you don't break the protective layer first. Don't let pool stores upsell you!

TideTitan39's baking soda idea is wonderfully gentle yet effective! I'd add that after the physical removal, consider the environmental factors. Florida sun degrades chlorine rapidly - are you testing and adjusting levels in the evening so it works overnight? Also, check for rough spots in your concrete where algae can anchor. Sometimes a little pool putty on rough areas prevents recurrence. Remember: persistent problems often point to underlying imbalances. How's your circulation? Dead spots let algae thrive.

Great points about circulation, Mila! To build on the budget approach: if you want a targeted treatment without the $150 price tag, get calcium hypochlorite shock (powder) and sprinkle it directly on brushed spots. It'll foam up and penetrate. Ratio matters though - about a tablespoon per spot. And Lily's right about testing: get a Taylor K-2006 kit (yes, it's $75 but lasts years) instead of guessing. One more chef's tip: consistency in maintenance beats emergency treatments. Daily brushing for a week while maintaining 5ppm chlorine works better than one massive chemical dump.