Ep 148. Black Algae With Guest Rudy Stankowitz Part 1 of 2

CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING 2024 SPONSORS!

Poolwerx.com – Jandy.com – Bluerayxl.com – Cyclonefiltertools.com – ipssa.com – Allsafepool.com – Clearcomfort.com – Poolmagazine.com – Periodic Products / CuLater.com

SAVE 10% ON ALL PRODUCTS AT CAMEREYE.AI USING CODE “Deepend24” AT CHECKOUT!

Big savings on CU Lator products at CULATOR.COM; use coupon code DEEPEND44 at checkout!

Save 10% on CycloneFilterTools on purchases from CYCLONEFILTERCLEANER.COM with coupon code “DEEPEND

Kona Labs auto-fill system. Discount code “FRANK30” KONALABS.COM


Frank and special guest Rudy Stankowitz discuss black algae. Rudy has done the most in-depth research in black algae for the swimming pool industry. Part 2 is episode 149

00:00 introduction

09:50 introducing Rudy Stankowitz from Talking Pools Podcast and cpoclass.com

10:50 black algae is not an algae; it is a cyanobacteria.

11:30 Rudy discovers no research has been done on black algae for the swimming pool industry.

14:00 Rudy found that there can be different genus of cyanobacteria in swimming pools, and some can be toxin-producing. It can be different from pool to pool.

20:30 Metals can cause bacteria cells to lysis, meaning they can disrupt cell membranes, causing them to spill their guts. This can result in a release of toxins in some genus of black algae. ‘

23:30 black algae will develop a biofilm once established. This biofilm can protect the cyano bacteria from extremely high levels of chlorine. Other algae, viruses, bacteria, amoebas, and other living organisms can harbor within this biofilm and be protected from the sanitizing effects of chlorine or other sanitizers.

25:00 no person has ever contracted the deadly brain eating amoeba naegleria fowleri from a pool that did not also have black algae.

26:30 metal treatments, like copper sulfate, are effective at killing black algae, but the levels that could quickly kill it exceed safe allowable levels of metals. High metal levels can be toxic and can stain pool surfaces. Lower allowable levels of metals, like copper and silver, can still effectively kill black algae, but it takes much more time.

28:15 normal sanitizer levels in a pool with good circulation are extremely effective at killing black algae immediately upon introduction to the pool.

30:10 black algae cannot be transferred from salt water to fresh water, but easily from a freshwater source to fresh water. It can also be transferred by wind, birds, animals, and people.

31:30 Cyanobacteria likes slow-moving water (dead spots), ambient sun light and high pH.

31:45 Black algae does not have roots!!!!! It is a bacteria. Bacteria does not have roots. It does have a better opportunity to thrive on a pitted surface.


You can listen to “The Deep End Pool Podcast” every week at 9:00 AM CST on Saturdays. You can LISTEN LIVE online on TURF’S UP RADIO!

SAVE 10% ON ALL PRODUCTS AT CAMEREYE.AI USING CODE “Deepend24” AT CHECKOUT!

Big savings on CU Lator products at CULATOR.COM; use coupon code DEEPEND44 at checkout!

The Deep End Pool Podcast focuses on residential pool maintenance and may not cover commercial pool requirements. Please consult the CDC and local authorities regarding the code requirements for commercial pool maintenance.

Do you have a pool question for Frank? You can email him at [email protected]. He just might read and answer your question on air!