From Whiteflies to Cyanobacteria - Rudy (sitting in for Wayne)

When your pool water turns white as milk overnight despite perfect chemistry just days before, you know you're dealing with something beyond the typical maintenance routine. Pool professionals face mysterious challenges that require detective work, scientific investigation, and sometimes unconventional solutions. This week's episode of Talking Pools takes us on a fascinating journey from invasive insects wreaking havoc on commercial pools to the surprising gaps in our understanding of common pool problems like black algae.

The Mystery of the Milky White Pool

Picture this: You service a small 15,000-gallon pool at a student housing facility three times a week. On Monday, everything looks perfect. You backwash the filter, treat the water, and leave satisfied. But when you return on Wednesday, the water is completely white like milk, with zero chlorine levels despite having just added tabs to the erosion feeder.

This was exactly the scenario Rudy faced at one of his commercial properties. As he explains:

This is a pool that nobody uses. That's not right. And I had just put tabs in. They were using sinar gas. They were using trichlorin and erosion feeder. So I just put tabs in the erosion feeder. First thing that went through my head is maybe the tubing that hooks up the erosion feeder broke.

— Rudy, Talking Pools Podcast

After ruling out equipment failure, Rudy noticed something peculiar: dead leaves scattered across the deck in August, black tar-like goo covering surfaces, and what appeared to be snowflakes floating through the summer air. This wasn't your typical pool maintenance issue—it was an ecological mystery that would require scientific investigation to solve.

When Pool Maintenance Meets Entomology

Rather than guessing or relying on internet forums, Rudy took his samples directly to the University of Florida's entomology department. Within five minutes, his mysterious "snowflakes" were under a microscope, revealing the true culprit: woolly Asian hackberry aphids.

This invasive species, first discovered in Jacksonville's Duval County in 1999, had spread as far south as Orlando and north to Atlanta. These aphids have a particular fondness for sugarberry trees and produce sugar-rich excrement that was clogging filters, depleting chlorine, and turning the pool water milky white.

The black tar-like substance coating the deck wasn't algae or typical pool contamination—it was fly crap from thousands of aphids infesting the tree overhanging the pool. This organic matter was continuously falling into the water, overwhelming the sanitizer system and creating the perfect storm of water quality issues.

The Challenge of Finding Solutions

Identifying the problem was only the beginning. Rudy reached out to enzyme companies and pesticide specialists, but each presented unique challenges. While chemical treatments could temporarily clear the water, the constant influx of aphid excrement meant the problem would return within hours.

The pesticide company offered an interesting perspective on liability and seasonal treatment options:

They said, now that branch hangs out over the pool. I don't have a problem spraying the tree, but I don't want to be responsible for any of the stuff that drips into the water and the effect that it could possibly have on people. So we're just not gonna do it.

— Rudy, Talking Pools Podcast

The alternative was root injection with horticultural oil and pesticide, which would eliminate the infestation for the following season. However, in mid-August at a college town with students returning, waiting until next year wasn't an acceptable solution for the property management company.

Sometimes unconventional problems require unconventional solutions. Working with a tree company, Rudy arranged for the problematic tree to be removed overnight and replaced with sod, making it appear as though the tree had never existed. Problem solved, pool restored.

The Business Value of Going Above and Beyond

Some might argue that extensive scientific investigation goes beyond normal pool service expectations. However, Rudy's thoroughness paid dividends in multiple ways. By involving the community association manager in every step of the process—from sample collection to expert consultations—he demonstrated transparency and expertise that built exceptional trust.

The return on investment was substantial:

You know that management company I said management company, right? I did use that word. 40 other properties in this town. You know what's in the next year? I picked up 20 of them. That's the ROI. Involving that cam in every step that I did.

— Rudy, Talking Pools Podcast

This approach also provided valuable knowledge for future situations. In a county with multiple properties under the same management company, understanding invasive species and their impact on pool systems could prevent similar issues across the entire portfolio.

Rethinking Mustard Algae: The Science Behind the Struggle

Moving beyond insect invasions, Rudy shared insights about mustard algae that challenge conventional treatment approaches. Unlike green algae, which has extensive scientific documentation, mustard algae (scientifically known as diatoms) has some unique characteristics that affect treatment strategies.

Key facts about mustard algae that impact pool maintenance:

• It thrives in hard water with higher calcium levels
• It requires slow-moving water conditions
• It's the only organism that consumes silicates
• It uses silicates to create protective outer shells called "water glass"

These characteristics suggest that equipment choices and water balance strategies can significantly impact mustard algae prevention. Pools with sand filters (silica sand) in areas prone to mustard algae might benefit from switching to cartridge filtration systems. Similarly, maintaining calcium hardness at the lower end of acceptable ranges rather than higher levels could create less favorable conditions for diatom growth.

The Black Algae Knowledge Gap

Perhaps most surprising was Rudy's research into black algae, which revealed a significant gap in scientific understanding. Despite being one of the most discussed and feared pool problems, reliable scientific information about black algae is virtually nonexistent.

I get to black algae. Big, fat, nada. Nothing. There's a lot of 'I think it is,' there's a lot of 'it has roots,' it embeds in plaster. It's pool herpes. The only way to get rid of it is you got to burn down your house, sell the land, move to Europe.

— Rudy, Talking Pools Podcast

Common myths about black algae include claims that it originates from ocean swimming and transfers via bathing suits. However, this theory doesn't hold up to basic biological principles—saltwater organisms cannot survive in freshwater environments, and vice versa.

To address this knowledge gap, Rudy collected black algae samples from commercial pools and brought them to the University of Florida's Phycology Department. While the results of this investigation weren't fully detailed in the episode, this approach demonstrates the value of scientific inquiry in an industry often driven by anecdotal evidence and traditional practices.

Conclusion: The Science-Based Approach to Pool Problem-Solving

This episode highlights the importance of scientific investigation and expert consultation when facing unusual pool problems. Rather than relying on internet speculation or traditional wisdom, Rudy's approach of seeking academic expertise led to accurate problem identification and effective solutions.

The woolly Asian hackberry aphid case demonstrates how environmental factors beyond typical water chemistry can dramatically impact pool systems. By understanding the biology and behavior of invasive species, pool professionals can develop targeted solutions rather than applying generic treatments.

Similarly, the research into mustard algae and black algae reveals both the depth of available scientific knowledge and the significant gaps that still exist. Equipment selection, water balance strategies, and treatment approaches can all be optimized when based on biological understanding rather than industry folklore.

For pool professionals, this episode reinforces the value of curiosity, scientific inquiry, and building relationships with academic institutions. When faced with mysterious problems, sometimes the best resource isn't another pool company—it's the nearest university research department.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction - MixItUp Thursday
• 02:30 The Mysterious Milky White Pool
• 08:15 Scientific Investigation - University Partnership
• 12:45 Identifying Woolly Asian Hackberry Aphids
• 18:20 Finding Solutions and Treatment Challenges
• 25:10 Business Impact and Customer Relations
• 32:40 Mustard Algae Science and Prevention
• 40:15 The Black Algae Knowledge Gap