What causes black spot algae in pools?

Introduction

If you have seen black spots or dark stains surfacing in your pool, you might face black spot algae, one of the most stubborn and challenging algae to clear out. Keeping your swimming environment clean as a pool owner can be daunting, especially if your pool is large. Luckily, cleaning your pool this way is a back-breaking task that a robot pool cleaner, like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro, can help ease, keeping your pool clean and clear without much work on your part.

Here, we look at the reason pools are home to pesky black spot algae and how a pool vacuum, skimmer, or pool cleaning robot can get rid of it.

What is Black Spot Algae?

Black spot algae are commonly found in freshwater pools and usually manifest as dark, resilient spots or patches on the pool’s floor and wall surfaces. Unlike other algae that grow freely in the water, black spot algae cling to rough or porous surfaces like plaster, concrete, or grout in pools. They are the algae most resistant to conventional cleaning, and they have long been a headache for those who have them in their pools.

The spots can be challenging to scrub off, and they tend to proliferate in areas with poor circulation, making vast pools especially susceptible.

Why Does Pool Give Rise to Black Spot Algae?

Knowing what causes black spot algae is essential to prevent future occurrences and keep the pool clean. Below are the key causes of the black algae growth:

Poor Circulation

Poor water circulation is one of the main factors that lead to black spot algae in pools. If your pool’s pump or filtration system isn’t working well, some areas of your pool will just sit there. Black spot or black beard algae loves these lower-flow areas. This algae typically grows in shaded or less frequently cleaned areas, a common feature in bigger pools.

How a robot pool cleaner helps: Robot pool cleaners cover the entire pool, leaving no place for algae and debris to settle. They mix the water and boost circulation (including those yucky, hard-to-reach places). The Beatbot AquaSense scheduler has an array of high-tech sensors, which follow the cleaning process and enhance water circulation to the max.

Unbalanced Pool Chemistry

Improper Chemical Balance Another common cause of black spot algae is an improper chemical balance. Algae can grow if the chlorine or pH levels of your pool are out of whack. Lack of chlorine provides a friendly environment where algae, including black spot algae, quickly thrive.

How a Robot Pool Cleaner Works: The Beatbot iSkim Ultra is a robot pool cleaner that sucks up debris and algae; however, the chemical balance of your pool’s water needs to be kept in check as well. Having a well-balanced pool will also make it more difficult for algae to take hold in the first place. Frequent pool vacuum robot use also helps minimize debris that can lead to water imbalance.

Rough Pool Surfaces

Rough or porous pool surfaces are ideal for black algae. These surfaces provide the algae a place to attach and root, making concrete, plaster, and grout the perfect breeding ground for black spot algae. When algae embed themselves deeply into those surfaces, removing them becomes much more difficult.

Why It Matters: Although a pool cleaning robot cannot change the surface of your pool, it can scrub algae on the walls and bottom so it breaks free and can be vacuumed up. A pool vacuum robot like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro can clean algae and debris, especially on textured surfaces where black-spot algae often settle.

Inadequate Pool Maintenance

Proper pool maintenance can also lead to black spot algae. When debris, dirt, and oils from sunscreens or lotions accumulate on the pool’s surfaces, it forms a perfect environment for algae to thrive. Moreover, cleaning the pool filter or changing the pool water regularly will improve.

So, How Does a Robot Pool Cleaner Help? Regular use of a robot pool cleaner helps keep your pool free from dirt, debris, and organic matter that leads to algae growth. For this reason, the Beatbot AquaSense robot is a reliable and efficient option for handling daily cleaning tasks so you can focus on enjoying your pool instead.

Lack of Pool Shocking

Infrequent pool shock is another factor that can cause black spot algae. “Shocking” your pool raises chlorine levels and kills algae spores and other contaminants for a short period. With little or no routine shocking, algae can flourish and establish itself, even the hard-to-scrub black spot variety.

What a Robot Pool Cleaner Helps with—When you shock the pool, you will need to vacuum debris and dead algae from the water using a pool vacuum robot afterward. The Beatbot series of cleaners, like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro, can help you maintain your pool as clean as a whistle, even after a shock treatment.

5 Ways To Remove Black Spot Algae From Your Pool

Brush the Affected Areas

Start by brushing the black spot algae areas. Use a stiff pool brush to loosen algae, particularly on rough surfaces. This prepares the algae for removal.

Use a Pool Vacuum Robot

Use a pool vacuum robot to remove the loosened algae after brushing. Pool vacuum cleaners like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro can effectively suck in algae and debris, thus keeping your pool’s surface clean.

Apply Algaecide

To confirm that the algae is fully killed, treat with an algaecide made for the black algae. This will kill the algae spores and stop them from continuing to grow. For optimal results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Shock Your Pool

Pool shocking is important because it kills remaining algae spores and bacteria. Use an algaecide-specific pool shock product. After shocking, let the pool run for a few hours to circulate before running your robot pool cleaner to pick up any dead algae.

Keep Regular Pool Cleaning

Proper regular maintenance will stop black spot algae from coming back. Run your robotic pool cleaner regularly to keep the water chemistry balanced. A Popular pool product is the Beatbot iSkim Ultra and Beatbot AquaSense, which help keep the pool clean and clear with less effort!

How to Prevent Black Spot Algae: A Checklist？

Keep the water circulating with the pool’s filtration system.

Monitor your pool’s chemical balance, especially for chlorine and pH levels.

Other Tips: Use a brush to scrub the surfaces of your pool regularly, as this helps prevent algae from rising.

Now, clean the pool filter and keep it in perfect working condition.

Use a robot pool cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense Pro for regular cleaning.

Regularly shock your pool to kill algae spores and bacteria.

Treat the issue with an algaecide intended for black spot algae.

Conclusion

This is why black spot algae are complex to eliminate and can be annoying among pool owners, particularly if you have a big pool. But with an understanding of how and the right tools (hello, robot pool cleaner!), pool vacuum, and skimmer, you can keep water in your pool clean and clear all year. Using a pool cleaning robot like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro can save time and energy while preventing algae growth. Maintaining a clean and well-cared pool requires proper tools and regular maintenance.