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BioGuard Answers > Troubleshooting

Not everything goes as planned and sometimes your pool has problems. Below are some common problems pool owners deal with, along with our recommended solutions. Click the “+” at the bottom of the images for useful info to help you resolve the specific problem.

For the best solution we recommend that you bring a water sample to your local BioGuard Dealer Blue Dolphin Pools & Spas, inc. for an expert ALEX water analysis. A BioGuard dealer who has gone through the exclusive H2Know certification​ training is able to correctly diagnose just about any pool condition. For further assistance please contact us by email at Service@BDolphin.com or call 603 627 2527 and our helpful courteous staff will be happy to assist you!

Black algae are stubborn, single-celled organisms that grow in colonies and appear dark due to special compounds masking their green color. They thrive in pool cracks, forming a protective layer that makes them resistant to normal chlorine levels. To eliminate black algae, use Algae Complete® for all algae types and Spot Kill® for targeted removal, ensuring thorough brushing to break the protective layer. Prevent algae growth by maintaining 1-3ppm sanitizer levels, using a preventative algicide weekly, shocking the pool regularly, ensuring proper filtration, and brushing surfaces frequently.

Green algae are microscopic, plant-like organisms that thrive in warm water and can rapidly spread, clogging filters and damaging pool surfaces. Spores enter pools through rain, wind, or swimmers. To eliminate green algae, use Algae Complete®, which targets all algae types. Prevent growth by maintaining 1-3ppm sanitizer levels, applying a weekly algicide, shocking the pool regularly, ensuring proper filtration, and brushing surfaces frequently.
Mustard algae is a chlorine-resistant form of green algae that looks like dirt or sand on pool surfaces. It easily brushes off but quickly returns due to its protective compounds, which increase chlorine demand. To eliminate it, use Algae Complete®. Prevent growth by maintaining 1-3ppm sanitizer levels, applying a weekly algicide, shocking the pool, ensuring good filtration, and regularly brushing surfaces.

Black algae are stubborn, single-celled organisms that grow in colonies and appear dark due to special compounds masking their green color. They thrive in pool cracks, forming a protective layer that makes them resistant to normal chlorine levels. To eliminate black algae, use Algae Complete® for all algae types and Spot Kill® for targeted removal, ensuring thorough brushing to break the protective layer. Prevent algae growth by maintaining 1-3ppm sanitizer levels, using a preventative algicide weekly, shocking the pool regularly, ensuring proper filtration, and brushing surfaces frequently.

Climate effects on pool efficiency: Weather impacts a pool’s energy use, with evaporation being more noticeable in dry areas and cold nights lowering water temperatures. Humidity and wind also contribute to heat and water loss, leading to higher costs for refilling and reheating. Prevention: Use a physical cover or apply Smart Shield™ to create an invisible barrier that reduces evaporation and heat loss.
Chlorine Demand & Loss: High levels of contaminants force chlorine to work harder, making it difficult to maintain proper levels. Sunlight and heat further contribute to chlorine depletion. Fix: Test water, use Pool Complete® 911 to remove contaminants, and add BurnOut® 73 or BurnOut® 3 to restore chlorine levels. Prevent: Use Pool Complete® Weekly, maintain 1-4ppm sanitizer, shock routinely, and ensure proper filtration and circulation.
Foam in Pools: Foam is often caused by foaming algicides, soaps, oils, or organic buildup. While it may dissipate over time, anti-foaming agents can speed up the process. Fix: Use Anti Foam to clear foam quickly and Pool Complete® 911 to remove contaminants. Prevent: Use non-foaming algicides like Algae Complete® or Banish®, shock routinely, and add Pool Complete® Weekly for cleaner, clearer water.
Scale Formation: Scale occurs when excess minerals in pool water, often due to high calcium hardness, pH, or temperature, form deposits on surfaces and equipment. Fix: Use Scale Inhibitor to gradually remove buildup, scrub with Off The Wall®, and clean salt generator cells with Mineral Springs® Cell Cleaner. Prevent: Regularly add Scale Inhibitor for chlorine or salt pools, and use Mineral Springs® Stain and Scale for Mineral Springs® systems.
Metal Stains: Discoloration in pool water, equipment, and surfaces is often caused by metals like iron and copper, introduced through source water, equipment, or chemicals. Stains occur when changes in water balance make metals insoluble, causing them to settle on surfaces. Fix: Identify and dissolve the stain, then use Iron Stain Remover for recent stains, Pool Magnet® Plus to tie up metals, and Sparkle-Up® to help filter out metals. Prevent: Regularly use Pool Magnet® Plus and Sparkle-Up® to manage metals in the water.
Eye and Skin Irritation: Irritation can occur due to unbalanced pool chemistry, especially pH, or the buildup of contaminants like chloramines, which also cause a strong chlorine smell. Fix: Test water to determine if pH is high or low. Use Lo ‘N Slo® for high pH or Balance Pak® 200 for low pH. To remove contaminants, use BurnOut® 73 or BurnOut® 3 to oxidize them and Pool Complete® 911 or Polysheen Blue® to improve filtration. Prevent: Keep water balanced, add Pool Complete® Weekly for routine maintenance, backwash filters as needed, and shock the pool weekly to eliminate contaminants.
Waterline Build-Up: A greasy coating along the waterline indicates undissolved materials, often caused by oils, lotions, and other contaminants from swimmers. Rough patches may signal scale buildup due to hard water or unbalanced water conditions. Fix: Use Pool Complete® 911 to remove contaminants like oils and grease, Scale Inhibitor to remove scale, and Off The Wall® to quickly clean the waterline. Prevent: Add Pool Complete® Weekly to your maintenance routine, and backwash the filter as needed to keep surfaces clean.