Every pool owner, would not want to deal with pool algae. Once algae are present in your pools, it is a clear indication that your pool is not properly maintained, and might bring harmful effects to bathers and even the pool itself.
Attaining sparkling clean pool water must be a goal for every pool owner, one that is free from any infestation such as pool algae. In case you see pool algae in your pool water, you have to act fast. It is a must to make sure that you will get rid of pool algae successfully, and to make it possible, there are lots of things that you have to know.
It is a necessity to know that not all pool algae are the same, they have different types and each one of them can survive pool water without you knowing. These pool algae are one of the many possible reasons why your clean pool water will turn into different colors, most of which are not pleasing to the eyes. Aside from pool water discoloration, they are also one of the common reasons why your pool may seem cloudy or hazy. And since no pool enthusiast would want to dip into muddy, cloudy, and dirty pool water, you must take action immediately.
Part 1. What are Pool Algae?
When owning a pool, one of the most necessary things to know about are facts about pool algae. These plants are live and can be found dwelling in your pool. When your pool is infested by algae, you might notice that your pool’s appearance is in colors such as yellow, teal, brown, red, and black, the reason behind this happening is the presence of the different types of pool algae.
Another indication aside from color change, is the cloudiness or haziness of your pool water. Most algae are freely floating in your pool water, some can be stuck on corners and crevices. Once they build up, there are huge possibilities that they might be mixed with your pool water, and as time goes on, haziness or cloudiness is observed. Even if the spread of algae in your pools can seem unavoidable or out of hand, it is a good thing that there are still a lot of solutions that can help to solve it! We are going to learn all of that as we go along with our discussion in this article.
Part 2. Types of Pool Algae
Another important thing to figure out about pool algae is its types of kinds. This will help pool owners identify the type of algae they might be dealing with, as precautions and ways to kill it may change depending on the type. Also, it would be easier to identify an easier way to get rid of it, and even avoid having it shortly. So, what are the different types of pool algae?
1. The Mustard Algae
If you know what a mustard is, you can have a hint of what a mustard alga looks like. It is mustard or yellow-brown. These pool algae are easy to get rid of, you can just brush them off away, but you have to still be careful as they are also quick to return. For you to easily hunt them, always check the crevices, corners, and areas that are commonly shady and have poor circulation. You also have to take note that they can be resistant to chlorine including shock treatments.
2. Black Algae
This one can be scary when heard, well if you are a pool owner, you should be! Once you see traces of it dwelling in your pools, you have to take action as soon as possible! This type of algae is very resistant, and will normally cling to your pool’s cracks, walls, and floor! If you have a gunite or concrete type of pool, then you need to always check for any traces of black algae!
3. Green Algae
This one is the most seen type in pools as it is the most common algae! If you have areas in your pool that have poor circulation, you need to check them immediately! One of the most common causes of the occurrence of green algae in pools aside from having poor circulation is poor housekeeping and maintenance. So always make sure to clean your pool daily, especially if it is used by a lot of bathers.
Algae can be dangerous to swimmers because of bacteria. Swimmers can experience rashes and other skin infections once soaked in pools that have severe algae growth. Once, any of your swimmers has experienced skin rashes, irritation, or severe itchiness, you have to immediately seek the help of a medical professional.
Part 3. How to Get Rid of Pool Algae and Green Water?
Now, let us move to fixes that we have to do to cope with pool algae infestation. Learning such solutions is not only beneficial in fixing algae infestation but preventing having it as well. It is also important that you have enough knowledge on things that you should immediately execute when dealing with pool algae to avoid limited swimming time, pool eyesores, pool damage, and even health dilemmas.
We have enumerated some of the easiest things that you have to do, you can also always ask for the opinions and advice of pool professionals in case you want to be specific on the solutions based on the assessment of your pool.
Step 1. Start by checking all the levels of your chemicals and all the important components as well.
One of the common reasons why pool algae develop in your pool is having inconsistent water levels, specifically all the important components like the pH, chlorine levels, and pool stabilizers. You have to check all these three regularly, to always remain on track.
| Factor | Range (PPM*) | Test Frequency |
| PH | 7.2-7.8 | 2-3 Days |
| Free Chlorine | 1.0-3.0 | 2-3 Days |
| Stabilizer | 30-50 ppm | Monthly |
Step 2. Turn on your pump, and make sure it is running continuously.
As we discussed a while ago, one of the most common pool algae infestations is poor water circulation. By turning on the pump, your pool water is properly circulating through your filter and heater, giving out clean and warm water. Also, movement and proper filtration help you avoid the growth of algae.
Step 3. Check your filter, always make sure it is clean.
The filter is said to be the heart of any pool. It is also responsible for keeping out possible algae growth development as it is responsible for filtering out your pool water. So, you also have to make sure it is always clean. To start, remove the cartridges of your filter, and start soaking them in white vinegar and water solution, make the concentration equal. On the other hand, if the cartridges seem to be too dirty to clean, you also have the option to replace them with new ones.
Step 4. Using a skimmer get rid of huge debris on the surface of your pool.
If the pool you own is located in an area where there are lots of trees and plants, there is a huge possibility of having lots of debris on its surface. To start removing such debris, grab your skimmer and start working. You can also start removing huge toys or equipment in your pool so you can execute deep cleaning.
Step 5. Brush the walls and floors of your pool.
There is also a huge possibility that algae are stuck into your pool’s floors and walls! Also, there are types of algae that can’t be removed by just applying chlorine, some need thorough brushing, which can loosen algae, and have them carried out by the filter. There is also the possibility that algae are present in the cracks and crevices of your pool, so you have to always check these areas. As you brush continuously, you can immediately determine how much algae is on your floors and walls as the water will immediately turn hazy or cloudy.
Step 6. Perform pool shocking.
Another effective way to get rid of pool algae is to perform pool shocking. It is a process where you add a stronger dose of chlorine compared to the normal amount that you are using. Strong doses of chlorine through pool shocking can help kill algae and bacteria as well. However, there are types of algae such as black, yellow, and green ones, that will have specific doses or levels of chlorine shock to be able to completely overcome them and have them removed from your pool water.
In case you still encounter the presence of algae in your pool water, you can always repeat the process from the initial step. You can perform water testing once more after pool shock, and then add some algaecide to prevent pool algae from coming sooner.
These are only some of the many effective ways to get rid of pool algae and green water in your pools. Things can be a bit hard initially, but it is always great hard work that will pay off.
Part 4. Conclusion
There are many effective ways to get rid of pool algae and green water in your pools, it will just take time, proper pool maintenance, great monitoring, and a lot of patience to proceed. Things can be a bit hard initially, but it is always great hard work that will help you overcome hardships all the time.