Your pool is green, yellow, or has black spots on it and you want to get rid of it and make sure to keep it from happening again. This article will give you the information and steps needed to be rid algae growth in your pool. While algae in of itself is relatively harmless, it’s very unsightly and points to other underlying issues that need to be addressed.
Why Algae Grows in Your Pool
Algae grows when the chemical balance of the water is not within ideal parameters and usually is also accompanied by lower than ideal sanitation level (chlorine level). When the weather, and water, start to warm up it is the perfect time for algae to creep in and take over. The quick rise in temperature throws the water balance off and gives the algae a chance to populate and take hold. This is especially true if you have a lot of pollen or other organic materials falling into the pool around the same time the temperature warms. The organic matter that gets into the pool water will usually bring phosphates with it and that is food for algae. So you’ve got 2 obstacles working against you, the quick rise in temperature that throws off the balance of the water and phosphates being introduced, feeding the algae. Spring time is the perfect time to test for phosphates and add a treatment, shock the pool and clean the filter. This will give you an edge as summer and swim season starts to get ahead of algae growth.
How to Identify and Treat Green Algae
Green algae is most common and grows the quickest. You will see green spots on the pool, green slime floating, or cloudy water and the spots come off relatively easily when brushing the walls. Green algae usually grows when the chlorine levels are low and the temperature rises quickly. It is common to see it in the spring and can last all summer long if not properly treated. However, it is usually relatively easy to get rid of. You should be able to super-chlorinate, vacuum the pool and clean the filter and you should be good to go. Use a weekly phosphate remover to keep any food for the algae out of the water and keep your sanitation level up.
How to Identify and Treat Yellow Algae
Yellow algae will start to grow if green algae is left unchecked. Yellow algae prefers shady spots in the pool, like a wall that gets shade in the afternoon or the steps. It is more resistant to chlorine and will need a specific algaecide to rid it from your pool. You will have to make sure you brush every surface of the pool and start a treatment. The way I’ve always treated it is to put a phosphate treatment in to kill all the food for the algae and add a product like Yellow Trine or Yellow Out. These are specific to yellow algae. Let the pump run for 24 hours, brush and vacuum the pool, clean the filter and super chlorinate. In less than a day you should have your pool looking clean and clear again!
How to Identify and Treat Black Algae
Black algae is very hard to remove once it takes hold. The more rough the plaster the more likely it is to grow and take hold. Black algae has the ability to mimic roots like any other plant or tree and will dig into the plaster however it can. It has trouble on smooth plaster pools, but rough plaster that needs to be resurfaced or a pebble finish allows black algae to get into the miniscule crevices. It is very difficult to get rid of it in your pool and will usually take multiple rounds of treatment get rid of it. Even though it is called black algae, it is actually a bacteria and you should never swim in a pool that has black algae. You will start to see black spots on the plaster that don’t easily brush off. At that point you need to start treatment immediately. That may also include getting a new brush specifically to deal with it. Most of the time it is recommended to get a brush with metal bristles as you need to actually break the bacteria open to get the treatment into the organism to kill it. The most effective way to treat black algae is to get a wire brush and scrub really thoroughly all the black spots on your pool. This will open the spore to get to the root. Next, get a tablet holder like shown in the picture below and scrape the tablet all over the spot of black algae. The concentration of the table will get chlorine directly to the root of the spore and kill it. You may have to repeat this process a few times to get to the roots in all the black algae spots on your pool. To try to prevent black algae from getting into your pool, make sure you wash any pool clothes thoroughly before using them in your pool and any toys that get used in a natural water source or any other suspect pool. Just like any bacteria, it is transferable from one host to another, so clean all clothing and pool toys and tools used in any fresh water or suspect pools before using them in your pool will be the best course of action to prevent it from getting in your water to begin with.
Final Tips to Prevent Algae Growth
In conclusion, make sure you test your water chemistry at least once a week during swim season and make sure you prepare your pool ahead of time before the water starts to warm up and you can help prevent algae growth!
