Finding out your pool is contaminated with common green algae is bad enough. Luckily, that’s usually pretty simple to address. But if you find black algae in your pool, be prepared to put in some work to restore it to normalcy. And until you do, nobody can swim in it for their own safety.
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To assist you, we’ve included some of the most frequently asked questions.
PoolRx has undergone rigorous safety testing in accordance with FIFRA regulations. https://www. epa. gov/enforcement/federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act-fifra-and-federal-facilities PoolRx is an EPA-registered algaecide that has been given federal and state approval for sale in the United States. PoolRx is completely safe for you, your family, and your pets when used as instructed. Additionally when using PoolRx you can reduce the amount of chlorine you use by about 50% and eliminate the use of all other specialty chemicals
Yes. Your pets won’t get sick if they drink pool water. Please don’t let your pool be your pet’s only access to drinking water; we love animals. Thank you. FYI. When used as instructed, your pets would typically need to drink 20 to 30 gallons of water per day (depending on size) to consume an excessive amount of our minerals. FYI. Usually, any extra copper that is consumed leaves the body through regular bathroom procedures.
Yes. The PoolRx unit’s specially treated alloy cylinder is filled with minerals. When put in water, the blue-ish minerals immediately begin to dissolve. Because of this, it’s crucial to leave the pump running after installation for at least 3 to 4 hours (although longer is preferable), in order for all the minerals to completely dissolve into the solution and properly circulate.
Yes. The minerals exit the unit completely and instantly, dissolving into solution and dispersing throughout the entire body of water. The minerals DON’T gradually dissolve over time like a tablet of chlorine Depending on the flow over the unit, they typically dissolve within a few hours and form a stable residual that prevents and removes all kinds of algae.
It could be due to flow over the unit. The minerals may take longer to dissolve if you put it in your skimmer basket and there is weak suction. Also, in very rare cases, check the plastic outer shell. Use a screwdriver to pierce the top and bottom holes of the plastic outer shell if they are not completely perforated. This will allow the minerals to dissolve out easier. (This delay in the product completely dissolving does not affect the product’s longevity; it only affects the time it takes to see results.) ).
No. The minerals are uniquely chelated. One aspect that distinguishes us from other copper-based products is this. Due to overoxidation or pH changes, our chelation prevents our minerals from dissolving and discoloring the pool at the molecular level. Due to this chelation, testing for copper after using PoolRx will not yield a reliable or consistent result. Thus, if you suspect that copper is contaminating your water from another source (well water, outdated copper plumbing, an outdated copper heat exchanger that is dissolving copper in the water, other copper-based products, etc.), you should investigate further. ) be sure to TEST for Copper first. If you are at 0. 2ppm or less, it’s OK to use PoolRx. If above that 0. 2ppm, resolve those issues before using PoolRx. Your copper reading won’t be accurate once you’ve added PoolRx to the water until six months have passed and the minerals have been filtered out.
No, Do not use other copper based products with PoolRx. If your copper reading before adding PoolRx is at 0, you won’t need to, but more importantly, you don’t want to saturate the water. 2ppm or less, it’s OK to add PoolRx. If above 0. 2ppm then address that issue first before installing PoolRx. When used as instructed, PoolRx replenishes minerals when they pass over the specially treated alloy cylinder, uses them up over time, and filters them out. As a result, we never reach a saturation point. Remember that if you do saturate the water, the issue will arise from the free, non-chelated copper rather than the chelated minerals that fall out due to pH fluctuations or excessive oxidation. Once PoolRx is ‘in solution’ it will not ‘fall out’. You should be aware that if you “overdose” your pool with PoolRx, the minerals may not have enough space to dissolve “into solution” and may instead remain in granular form. They’ll either stick to the scale or sink to the bottom. (See question 12 and 25).
1. Time: It’s been 4-6 months since you first installed PoolRx. 2. Following the installation of PoolRx, your chlorine demand returns to its previous level. 3. Your water is cloudy, or you start to see algae.
Note: Over the course of about two weeks, you will notice a gradual change in the water because a small amount of minerals are still active in it. You have plenty of time to add a booster or new PoolRx unit because of this. Remind yourself: Algae kill, backwashing, filter cleaning, and splash out use up all the minerals. The minerals’ lifespan decreases as more of these events take place.
A PoolRx booster is 8oz. of the PoolRx minerals. It can support 7. 5K-20K gallons. Booster minerals are used for the following: 1. Longer seasons (beyond 4-6 months) 2. Conditions that are difficult (the minerals’ lives are shorter the harder they work) 3 Green Pools (you’ll probably need to add a booster before 6 months because the minerals get depleted from alga kill, backwashing, and filter cleanings) 4 Larger Pools (the chemistry must function, and the water must contain the appropriate amount of minerals based on total gallons). ) See sizing chart.
*The minerals have the exact same formula and function whether they are purchased as Booster or as part of a PoolRx unit. Within a few hours of being added to your skimmer or pump basket, these minerals completely dissolve into solution and leave a residual in the pool water that lasts for up to six months. You will lose these minerals over the course of the six-month period due to algae kill, filter cleanings, and splash out. You must also have the PoolRx cylinder in the water to keep the minerals active for up to 6 months. Within 2-4 weeks of installation, the minerals will stop working if they are not in contact with the cylinder.
Prior to dissolving, the PoolRx minerals inside the PoolRx unit (and/or the Booster minerals) are in a granular form. The minerals become stuck to a dirty filter and don’t dissolve through it if the filter is dirty. If this occurs, there won’t be enough minerals in the water to produce the results we advertise.
Sizing is crucial for all chemistry-dependent pool products. It’s crucial to select the appropriate size unit based on total gallon. If you undersize the unit, it won’t work. The minerals won’t have enough room to dissolve properly if you overindulge. To support the total number of gallons in the pool, you might need to add more Booster Minerals, depending on the size you’re supporting. To get the water’s mineral content to a point where algae cannot exist, the proper amount of minerals are required. See sizing chart.
No, more is not better. Although there is a large margin for error in sizing, you can overdose. The granular mineral won’t have enough space to dissolve into solution if there is too much mineral added to the water. It will either settle to the bottom or float around and adhere to the scale, turning it a blueish color while remaining in granular form. See FAQ 24: I made a mistake. How do I fix it?.
If you don’t, the minerals will start dissolving after install. When the pump starts up several hours later, 20,000 gallons of concentrated minerals blow through the system and into the pool in a large plume of undissolved minerals. If the pump is not running, the minerals will dissolve in a concentration at the bottom of the basket. If this occurs, the minerals may not have enough time to properly dissolve into solution and may instead remain in granular form, sticking to the scale and giving it a blueish tint. There is an easy fix; we suggest Jacks Magic Blue products. The mineral will be helped to dissolve off the surface and into solution by a phosphonic acid. See FAQ 24: I made a mistake. How do I fix it?.
Yes, the pressure will return to normal once the minerals dissolve through the filter. typically takes around a day, depending on the filter
All types of chlorine are compatible with PoolRx. (IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to dissolve and dilute Cal-Hypo granular chlorine (SHOCK) before using. As you walk around the deep end of the pool, slowly pour each pound into a 5-gallon bucket of water to allow for further dilution. If you don’t, the PoolRx minerals make that specific type of chlorine so active and readily available that, depending on the chemistry of your water, if you simply sprinkle it in, it may IMMEDIATELY OXIDIZE WHEN IT SETTLES TO BOTTOM AND TOUCHES THE SURFACE (you won’t have time to brush it up). The granular cal-hypo chlorine instantly turns black/grey. If you simply dissolve and dilute the cal-hypo before pouring it into the pool, it will eventually go away after a few weeks and there is an easy fix to clean it up sooner. See FAQ #24: I made a mistake. How do I fix it?.
No. PoolRx is not compatible with Bromine. The water may have a yellow tint or be foaming. With PoolRx, you can use so little chlorine that you won’t feel or smell it, which is neither dangerous nor attractive.
YES! PoolRx works great with those systems. PoolRx minerals are not affected by UV or Ozone. Even better, because the minerals are dissolved throughout the entire water body, all forms of algae are prevented, and chlorine is made more readily available. Only briefly do UV and Ozone systems oxidize the water. When the water is returned to the pool, it is then exposed to contaminants. Here, integrating PoolRx with a UV or Ozone system makes the most sense.
With PoolRx, a constant residual of at least 0 and balanced water within typical pool chemistry ranges are all that are required. 5-1. 0ppm of Free Chlorine. If you prefer, you can maintain a higher ppm of chlorine. You will also need to run your pump for at least one hour in order to circulate and filter your water (with PoolRx, you will notice it takes you less chlorine to reach your desired ppm). 5 times a day (ideally, during the heat of the.
Phosphates are simply food for algae. It makes no difference how much food is in the water because PoolRx has NO ALGAE. You can’t see, feel, smell or taste phosphates. The algae, including microalgae, bacteria, and other contaminants are what actually consume (use up) your chlorine, not phosphotes.
No matter how high your phosphate levels are, there is NO ALGAE with PoolRx and NO MICRO ALGAE. PoolRx removes all types of algae, which makes chlorine more readily available to remove bacteria and other contaminants that are much easier to kill. Your water can be high in phosphates with PoolRx, but it will be clear and free of algae while using less chlorine.
NOTE: The majority of salt chlorine generator manufacturers advise keeping phosphate levels low if you have a salt pool. Phosphates are thought to hinder the production of chlorine and electrolysis. They assert that a salt pool’s phosphate content affects how effectively chlorine can be produced by the generator. We respect if you choose to keep putting Phosphate Remover into saltwater pools. PoolRx is compatible with all Phosphate Removers.
1. Because the minerals are specially chelated, they can be used safely in a salt pool’s high pH environment. They will not stain.
2. With PoolRx, you can reduce the generator’s output of salt chlorine by 205% of its previous setting. (The minerals make the chlorine more active and available, reducing the amount needed and the amount used.)
3. You can use less acid to balance the water if you produce less chlorine with a high pH.
4. There is some zinc in the mineral formulation. You won’t need to clean the salt cell as frequently because the zinc helps to prevent scale from attaching to the salt cell as easily.
5. Less production, less cleaning, and longer equipment, surface, and salt cell life
6. Even when your chlorine requirements change, PoolRx minerals are continuously working for you in the water.
Sodium Bromide, Bromine, Biguanides, Other Copper based products. (NO Cal-Hypo directly into the pool. MUST dissolve and dilute first. See question 15 and 24).
Mistake 1. I did not turn on my pump after install. I see the blue minerals on the pool’s bottom or on the surfaces. See question 13 for explanation of what happened. To Fix: Lower pH to 7. 2 or less and Alk to 80 or less. Use 1 quart of Jacks Magic Blue Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water once it reaches this range. (For the most extreme situations, if you want faster outcomes, you can 1 5x–2x the dose) Run pump continuously and maintain water in this pH–alkalinity range. The undissolved minerals will be removed from the surface and dissolved within 48 to 72 hours. This solution is safe to swim in while it’s working.
Mistake 2. Before pouring the Cal-Hypo shock into the pool, I neglected to dissolve it. Where I poured the granular Cal-Hypo Shock into the pool, the bottom turned black. See question 15 To Fix: Lower pH to 7. 2 or less and Alk to 80 or less. Use 1 quart of Jacks Magic Blue Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water once it reaches this range. (for extreme cases or for faster results you can 1. 5x–2x the dose) Run pump continuously and maintain water in this pH–alkalinity range. The oxidized Cal-Hypo will disappear from the surface in 48–72 hours. This solution is safe to swim in while it’s working.
Mistake 3. I failed to maintain the balance of my water and allowed my cyanuric acid to rise well above 100 ppm. I observe a purple dust that can be brushed off surfaces but keeps returning. We comprehend the appeal of tri-chlor tablets, which are “stabilized” chlorine, and dichlor granular chlorine. These are great products, that provide highly available chlorine but understand these products are between 50- 58% CYA This indicates that if you use them on a weekly basis, your CYA levels will quickly reach 100 ppm or higher. When using PoolRx, high CYA is NOT a problem; however, you must ensure that your water is balanced, especially when it comes to alkalinity. In fact, PoolRx is renowned for its ability to assist high-CYA pools because the slower the chlorine dissolves in the water, the higher the CYA rises above 50 ppm. With high CYA, your chlorine may last longer, but it also kills more slowly. Algae and bacteria are therefore growing more quickly than the chlorine can eliminate them. PoolRx removes algae from the equation, increasing the amount of slow-acting chlorine available to get rid of bacteria and other contaminants that are more easily killed. Generally speaking, when your CYA is at 100ppm or higher, you should estimate your total alkalinity to be 1/3 lower than the test indicates. This means that in order to maintain the balance of the water, you will need to increase the alkalinity (using sodium bicarbonate or baking soda). If you don’t, your water is out of balance. Whatever is in excess in the water will naturally try to balance itself out and come out of solution. Cyanuric can combine with copper minerals to form coppercyanurate when it precipitates out. This comes in the form of a purple dust. This can be brushed off, but it won’t disappear from the pool until the CYA level is reduced and the water is balanced. If this occurs, we advise draining the pool completely or partially. The purple dust will dissolve back into the water once the cyanuric levels are normal and the water is in equilibrium.
Overdosing: The water is a murky blue color and won’t clear (What we recommend will depend on how serious of a mistake you made; if you have any questions, please contact us.) ).
NOTE: If your water is still a murky blue color even though your pool’s chemistry is within normal ranges, you have a free chlorine reading, it’s been a few days since you installed PoolRx, and you are NOT performing a green pool clean-up (see FAQ 25 for more information), you may have overdosed on chlorine. Before you do anything, double check your water’s balance and free chlorine level and make sure your pump and filter are operational and running long enough to properly circulate your water. 5 times per day. Additionally, if a PoolRx Booster was added too soon, the booster minerals would not have had enough time to dissolve into solution, causing them to stick to the scale or settle to the bottom. For typical overdoses, remove a small amount of water (about 1-2 feet) and then add fresh water to allow the extra minerals to dissolve. There are three options available if you have extra blue minerals that have attached to scale.
Option 1: Lower pH to 6. 8 and the mineral-containing scale will disappear from the surface. (This is tough on surfaces so be careful).
Option 2: A more gentle method that is easier on your surfaces and allows you to swim comfortably in the water while it is working Lower pH to 7. 2 or less and Alk to 80 or less. Use 1 quart of Jacks Magic Blue Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water once it reaches this range. (For extreme cases you can 1. 5x–2x the dose) Run the pump continuously and maintain the water level in this range. The undissolved minerals will be removed from the surface and dissolved within 48 to 72 hours. A phosphonic acid called Jacks Blue Stuff will dissolve the minerals off the scale and into solution. ‘.
Option 3: Use a product called CuLator, manufactured by periodic products, to completely remove all of our minerals from the water. It is the only item that will actually physically remove our minerals from the water. It’s a polymer bag that goes in the skimmer. The process of removing all of our minerals from the water could take up to 30 days.
How PoolRx Will Help Your Pool
PoolRx was created to give pool owners the opportunity to remove algae while also sanitizing their pool. It aims to make maintaining your pool less expensive and inconvenient for you. Along with cleaning the water and removing algae from your pool, it also improves the way the water feels and looks.
The effectiveness of PoolRx will last for six months. Then, if necessary, a mineral booster can be added to your pool during extreme weather and for longer seasons. PoolRx is known to solve a wide range of pool issues, so using it will not only save you time and money on maintenance. PoolRx can be used in spas, saltwater pools, and pools that are traditionally chlorinated. Order your Pool RX today from Amazon. Since this is an affiliate link, ordering through it will earn us a small commission; we appreciate you using it to support our website!
PoolRx can also be used in commercial swimming pools in addition to residential ones. It doesn’t matter the size of your pool. PoolRx will undoubtedly carry out its duty to keep the pool open to the public clean and safe.
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Because plain green algae is a plant, it’s relatively simple to kill, and anyone without a green thumb can attest that plants can be killed simply by having the wrong perspective. Or is that just us?.
Anyway, the fact that black algae in your pool is actually bacteria is what makes it so hardy and hard to kill. And you thought that was just a movie.
The good news is, it’s not impossible to kill. It will only require a little more perseverance and effort on your part.
Before you begin, gather the supplies you’ll need:
You’re going to work out a lot, so make sure to stretch before you begin.
If your pool has black algae, your filter also has this color of algae. You can probably get away with backwashing your pool filter (for sand or DE filters) or rinsing the filter cartridge if there is only a small amount of black algae in the pool.
Use a filter cleaner rather than just plain water if the algae problem is severe.
However, given how challenging it is to remove black algae, you might want to think about completely replacing the filter medium or cartridge. After taking the time and trouble to remove the black algae from your pool, start over to ensure that there isn’t even a single speck of it hiding in your filter.