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!
Talking Pools Podcast
Getting Rid of Swimming Pool Algae
Andrea and Paulette go long on algae—the real science, the field diagnostics, and the no-nonsense remediation that actually works on a Tuesday in August when the phone won’t stop ringing. Pulling from training content and field notes, they break down how to tell algae from look-alikes (metals, pollen, fine dust), why water balance and sanitizer demand dictate outcomes, and how to choose the right kill-sequence for mustard/yellow, black (cyanobacteria biofilm), green blooms, and stubborn pink slime/white water mold co-contaminations.
They also reference Rudy Stankowitz’s book, How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae (Amazon), for deeper reading on species behavior, biofilms, and step-by-step playbooks that complement today’s talk.
Chapter Markers / Timestamps
0:00 – Cold open: “Is it algae… or just copper?”
2:12 – Why algae wins when demand beats delivery (sanitizer kinetics 101)
6:45 – Field ID: green, mustard/yellow, black (cyanobacteria), and the “not algae” suspects
12:10 – Water balance triad: pH, TA, and CYA’s impact on free chlorine efficacy
17:38 – Brushing matters: mechanical disruption vs. biofilm defenses
22:30 – The mustard/yellow protocol (when and how to go higher on FC)
27:55 – Black “algae” = cyanobacteria: surface penetration, heads vs. roots, patience game
33:20 – Filters as crime scenes: clearing, backwashing, and when to deep clean
38:05 – Phosphates: food vs. famine—when removal helps and when it’s a red herring
43:00 – Borates as drift control and slime deterrent (what they can and can’t do)
47:18 – AOP/UV/ozone: supplemental oxidation for heavy bather loads
52:40 – Look-alikes roundup: metals, pollen, plaster dust, and “dead algae” myths
57:15 – Off-season & startup traps: winterized pools, spring turn-ups, and biofilm seeding
1:02:10 – Rapid-response checklist you can hand to a tech
Key Takeaways
- Identify before you treat. Color + texture + location + “does it brush off?” beats guessing.
- Sanitizer effectiveness is conditional. As CYA rises, the % of active hypochlorous acid drops; dose and contact time must adjust.
- Mechanical + chemical wins. Aggressive brushing and good circulation expose biofilms so oxidizers can work.
- Mustard/yellow needs elevated FC (and whole-pool exposure for toys, nets, lights, covers).
- Black “algae” is cyanobacteria anchored in porous surfaces; expect repeated disruption and sustained levels—not a one-and-done.
- Filters tell the truth. Restore flow, deep-clean media, and fix bypass/broken laterals or you’ll chase the same bloom.
- Phosphate control is situational. It can lower regrowth pressure but doesn’t replace sanitizer.
- Borates steady pH and deter slime, but they’re not an algaecide.
- Document everything. Photos, readings, doses, and filter maintenance notes protect you and speed future calls.
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
