treat swimming pool algae Archives

Metal-Based Biocides and Google My Business for Your Pool Service Business

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 19, 2024
Post category:Algae Marketing

Based on an insightful episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosted by Rudy Stankowitz. This article will delve into two crucial topics: the science and effectiveness of metal-based biocides in…

Ammonium hydroxide

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 7, 2023
Post category:Chemicals

Ammonium hydroxide, or ammonia water, is a common chemical in swimming pool care. It is a colorless solution of ammonia gas in water and has a pungent odor. It is…

How Pool Pump Cavitation Sucks!

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 11, 2020
Post category:Equipment Pool Service Tips

I'm afraid there's not going to be anything pretty about this one. At least not with the diagrams. I want to talk about Why Pool Pump Cavitation Sucks and the…

Get Rid of Green Algae

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 9, 2020
Post category:Algae

?Charophyta & Chlorophyceae Okay, this should be the easy one, right? Green alga is certainly the most common algae we face in a swimming pool and is definitely the least…

How to Get Rid of Black Algae

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 14, 2019
Post category:Algae

A Few Things That Work We have found Black Algae in some pretty interesting places. Here, Ashley takes us through several different methods that work on eliminating it. 2018 was…

☣ Does “Black Algae” Produce Toxins?

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 3, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

A friend once told me that if they were ever to witness my getting into a public pool to collect algae samples, it would be a bit like seeing meteorologist Jim…

Source: PubChem URL: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Description: Data deposited in or computed by PubChem

Black Algae Toxicity ⚗️

Post author:Rudy
Post published:December 3, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

MICROCYSTIN RESULTS Due to the level of chlorine in our sample, testing the pool water for microcystin would be futile. If the Oscillatoria sp. found in our "black algae" specimens were…

All “Black Algae” Are NOT Created Equal ⚖

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 18, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

And The Biofilm Thickens If you have been following along you already know that we have been doing some things with "Black Algae". Initially, the goal was to put together something…

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Black Algae Copper Experiment

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 1, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

a less than lethal dose at an extended contact time⏱ To determine whether a less than lethal dose of copper sulfate, over an extended contact time (CT) in a real…

Rudy Stankowitz collecting Black Algae specimens

Black Algae Myth BUSTED!

Post author:Rudy
Post published:May 22, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

Actual algae, or a case of mistaken identity? Swimming Pool Black Algae Myths BUSTED! If we are of the belief that black algae are actually an alga as the name…

Talking Pools Podcast

Forget chasing chlorine headaches and battling algae wars alone. The Talking Pools Podcast is your weekly escape from pool purgatory, where 250+ years of combined pro wisdom explodes into actionable hacks, mind-blowing tips, and secrets so ancient they make Poseidon jealous.

Think of it as your weekly poolside braintrust, fueled by eight seasoned pros, each a rockstar in their own aquatic lane. Got a filtration fiasco? Chemical conundrum? Equipment enigma? No problem. We’ve got a host for that:

The Tech Titan: Unravels the mysteries of pumps, filters, and gizmos that make pools tick (without the electrical shocks).

The Chem Crusader: Your personal alchemist, whipping up potion-perfect water balance with a dash of science and a sprinkle of magic.

The Maintenance Maverick: From tile tricks to algae assassins, he’s got the lowdown on keeping your pool looking like a liquid emerald palace.

The Customer Calmer: Smooths ruffled feathers faster than a pool noodle bouquet, turning hangry homeowners into poolside pals.

But Talking Pools isn’t just about technical wizardry. It’s about camaraderie, the shared language of pool pros who’ve seen it all, from exploding filters to synchronized swimming squirrels (no, really, we had an episode!).

Every week, you’ll:

Steal game-changing secrets: Learn pro-grade hacks to make you the “Pool Whisperer” in your market

Laugh until you spit out your piña colada: These guys are as witty as they are wise, turning pool problems into poolside punchlines.

Get ahead of the curve: Stay on top of industry trends and tech before your competitors even smell the chlorine.

Feel the love (and the sunshine): Remember why you got into this business in the first place – the joy of creating backyard oases where memories are made.

So, ditch the Drano, grab your headphones, and dive into the Talking Pools Podcast. It’s your weekly dose of poolside wisdom, laughter, and community. We’ll see you on the flip side!

P.S. Subscribe now and you might just win a case of pool party essentials (floaties not included, sorry squirrels).

P.P.S. Tell your pool-loving friends – sharing knowledge is like sharing sunscreen, it protects everyone!

Pool Pros text questions here

On this Talking Pools episode, host Natalie Hood, Director of Education and Network Development for The Grit Game, sits down with Jodi O’Grady, Director of Commercial Sales for API Water and long-time industry chemist, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in pool care: specialty chemicals.

Chlorine gets all the attention, but oxidizers, enzymes, and flocculants quietly decide whether your water is comfortable, clear, and compliant—or a cloudy, smelly headache full of disinfection byproducts and complaints. Jodi draws on decades with Taylor Water Technologies and her work on PHTA’s Technical Advisory Council to bust myths, explain the science in plain language, and show how specialty products can support (not replace) chlorine to keep pools safer and easier to manage.

If you’ve ever wondered whether non-chlorine shock actually does anything, if enzymes are all “basically the same,” or what Flock It Friday is really about, this episode connects the dots.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Chlorine’s job vs. specialty chemicals’ job

Why chlorine (or bromine/PHMB) is irreplaceable as a sanitizer and must be EPA-registered to be counted as such.
The difference between sanitizing (killing pathogens like Pseudomonas and brain-eating amoeba in properly chlorinated water) and oxidizing (burning off non-living contaminants).
Why “chlorine can be replaced by specialty chemicals” is a myth—and how crypto is a different beast entirely.

Non-chlorine oxidizers: the quiet workhorse

Real-world impact of high chlorine levels

Enzymes: not “all the same”

Myth-busting with real stories

Flock It Friday and how flocculants actually work

Clarity as a safety standard, not a luxury

The payoff for pros and operators

Guest Info – Jodi O’Grady, API Water

Director of Commercial Sales, API Water
Nearly 30 years in the pool industry, starting with Taylor Water Technologies (a Fluidra brand)
Chemistry degree and long-time volunteer with PHTA, currently Vice Chair of the Technical Advisory Council, with prior work on the Recreational Water and Air Quality Committee.

Jodi is available for follow-up questions and industry conversations via LinkedIn and direct contact (details provided in the episode outro).

Host Info – Natalie Hood

Director of Education and Network Development, The Grit Game, and regular host on the Talking Pools Podcast, focused on education, professional development, and giving pool pros real-world tools they can use on deck tomorrow.

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com