Black Algae: Headache or Hero

For decades, pool professionals have battled the infamous 'black algae' with traditional algaecides, endless brushing, and prayers to the chlorine gods. But what if everything you thought you knew about this stubborn pool menace was wrong? What if you've been fighting a war with the wrong weapons against the wrong enemy?

According to pool industry researcher Rudy Stankowitz from the Talking Pools Podcast, that's exactly what's been happening. His seven-year investigation has turned the pool industry upside down with a shocking revelation: black algae isn't algae at all.

The Myth-Busting Discovery That Changed Everything

In 2018, Stankowitz noticed something wasn't adding up with traditional black algae treatments. Pool techs everywhere were following the same playbook - algaecides, aggressive brushing, shock treatments - yet the problem persisted like a bad houseguest who won't take the hint.

So I grabbed samples from what's called infected pools and got them under a scope. There, what I found changed everything. Under magnification, I saw filamentous strands, coils, and clusters that looked more like spaghetti-gone rogue than any plant-based thing.

— Rudy Stankowitz, Talking Pools Podcast

What Stankowitz discovered under his microscope led him to partner with the University of Florida for deeper analysis. The results were game-changing: the samples contained Asculatoria, microcoleus, nostoc, and leptolingbia - all cyanobacteria, not algae.

This distinction isn't just academic jargon. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms (like bacteria), while algae are eukaryotic (plant-like). Understanding this difference is crucial because it explains why traditional algae treatments fail so spectacularly against this opponent.

Why Your Algaecide Isn't Working (And Never Will)

The revelation that black algae is actually cyanobacteria explains why pool professionals have been banging their heads against the wall for decades. These microscopic organisms have evolved sophisticated defense mechanisms that make them nearly impervious to standard treatments.

Cyanobacteria form dense biofilms with protective mucilage - think of it as their own personal armor. They produce pigments that block chlorine from penetrating their cell walls, allowing them to laugh off even high chlorine concentrations that would normally kill other organisms.

Chlorine? Please. It's like trying to threaten a wise guy with a wet noodle. They laugh in the face of 10 part per million and keep growing. Why? Because cyanobacteria produce pigments that block and protect them from chlorine burn.

— Rudy Stankowitz, Talking Pools Podcast

Unlike true algae, cyanobacteria don't have roots or rhizoids. Instead, they use their negatively charged outer cell wall to adhere directly to pool surfaces. Stankowitz colorfully describes this attachment method as being "more similar to if you stuck gum up underneath your desk."

This adhesion mechanism is why mechanical brushing alone doesn't work - you're essentially trying to scrub off superglue with a toothbrush.

The Toxic Truth: When Die-Off Becomes Dangerous

Perhaps the most alarming discovery in Stankowitz's research was the presence of toxins. During treatment of a 230,000-gallon commercial pool, testing revealed microcystins - toxins released by cyanobacteria during die-off.

While the levels were below EPA advisory thresholds, the implications are significant. Pool professionals need to consider not just killing the organism, but managing the potential toxic byproducts of treatment.

This toxic aspect adds another layer of complexity to treatment protocols and underscores why proper identification and targeted treatment strategies are essential rather than the traditional "throw more shock at it" approach.

Game-Changing Treatment Strategies That Actually Work

Armed with proper understanding of the enemy, Stankowitz developed several treatment approaches that target cyanobacteria's specific vulnerabilities:

Heavy Metal Approach

Copper, silver, and zinc can damage cyanobacteria membranes more effectively than traditional sanitizers. However, this method requires careful balancing to avoid staining pool surfaces.

Chalking Method

This involves direct application of powdered trichlor or calcium hypochlorite directly onto affected areas. The concentrated chemical contact can penetrate the biofilm more effectively than diluted pool water treatments.

You could even use a tablet and scrub it on the spots on the wall. This is not something new that I've invented. This has been around for a long time. And these two treatment methods work no matter what it is, algae or bacteria.

— Rudy Stankowitz, Talking Pools Podcast

The Aluminum Sulfate Revolution

Perhaps the most innovative discovery came accidentally while Stankowitz was testing aluminum sulfate for cyanuric acid reduction. He noticed that the alum seemed to cause cyanobacteria mats to simply fall off pool walls.

His theory: the aluminum ions (in a +3 oxidation state) neutralize the negatively charged cell walls that allow cyanobacteria to adhere to surfaces. When the attachment mechanism fails, the biofilm loses its grip and drops to the pool floor where it can be vacuumed to waste.

It literally just fell off the walls to the floor... So maybe this humble flocculant is the Paisam we've been looking for. The field test backed it up. But sadly, it only seems to work in about 40% of cases.

— Rudy Stankowitz, Talking Pools Podcast

Prevention: Changing the Battlefield

The most effective strategy against cyanobacteria is creating an environment where they can't thrive. These organisms love high-nutrient conditions, particularly elevated phosphates, nitrates, and cyanuric acid levels.

Stankowitz emphasizes comprehensive water testing beyond the basic chlorine and pH measurements. Pool professionals should regularly monitor:

• Phosphate levels
• Nitrate concentrations
• Cyanuric acid buildup
• Filtration efficiency
• Municipal water quality reports

Understanding your local water supply can reveal contributing factors that standard pool tests miss. Municipal water reports often contain information about nutrients and minerals that could feed cyanobacteria growth.

The Industry Impact: Seven Years Later

Since Stankowitz first published his findings in 2018, the pool industry has slowly begun to evolve. His research has appeared in Aqua Magazine, Pool Magazine, and ResearchGate, spreading awareness among forward-thinking professionals.

However, change is gradual. Many algaecide manufacturers still market products specifically for "black algae" and perpetuate the myth about roots and plant-like characteristics. Education remains the biggest challenge in shifting industry practices.

It'll actually be an absolutely wonderful thing when the manufacturers of algaecides start to recognize this. There are a few that do, but there's a lot that are still out there telling you that black algae has roots. Bullshit. It's not a plant.

— Rudy Stankowitz, Talking Pools Podcast

Moving Forward: A New Paradigm for Pool Professionals

The implications of this research extend far beyond just treating black spots in pools. It represents a fundamental shift in how the industry approaches problem-solving - from assumption-based treatments to evidence-based protocols.

For pool professionals, this means developing new diagnostic skills, updating treatment protocols, and most importantly, sharing knowledge with colleagues and clients. The days of throwing algaecide at every green or black problem should be numbered.

Stankowitz's research also highlights the importance of curiosity and investigation in an industry often driven by tradition and "that's how we've always done it" thinking. Sometimes the most significant breakthroughs come from questioning basic assumptions.

As the industry continues to evolve, professionals who embrace scientific understanding and evidence-based treatments will have significant advantages over those stuck in outdated paradigms. The cyanobacteria formerly known as black algae has taught us that in the pool business, knowledge truly is the best algaecide.

The next time you encounter those stubborn black spots, remember: you're not fighting algae. You're battling an ancient survivor that's been around since before the dinosaurs. But now, armed with proper understanding and targeted strategies, you finally have the right weapons for the fight.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction - Pool Pro Friday Motivation
• 05:30 The Black Algae Myth Revealed
• 12:15 2018 Research Discovery
• 18:45 University of Florida Analysis
• 24:20 Why Traditional Treatments Fail
• 31:10 Toxic Byproducts Discovery
• 37:25 New Treatment Strategies
• 44:50 The Aluminum Sulfate Method
• 52:30 Industry Impact and Future