5 Easy Ways To Keep Algae From Growing in Your Swimming Pool

November 11, 2008 by admin 

That green stuff you see hanging around the bottom and the edges of your swimming pool is algae. Those are microscopic plants that live in water, or near its edge and their sources are nearly endless.

Algae can be carried in on the wind and rain, cling onto feet, or pour out of the hose. In short, you can’t eliminate them from the environment. But you can keep them from growing in your pool.

There are over 30,000 different types of algae, but three main categories. Green algae tend to cling to walls. They have a slippery feel and are easy to spot. By contrast, mustard algae form a powdery patch in the pool, usually in an area of shade. Black or blue-green algae are darker and tend to form small spots about the size of a dime.

Fortunately, all three types can be removed and with regular maintenance prevented safely with easy-to-use products.

♦ Maintaining the proper pH

Maintaining the proper pH of your swimming pool water is a great start. There are several pool water balancing products on the market that will help you keep the level around 7.2-7.6, slightly basic. The pH of the fluid in your eyes is about 7.35 so this level also helps prevent any irritation to the eyes. A testing kit is a must so you know where to start and how well you’re doing.

♦ Pool Algaecides – Algaestats

A sanitizer that contains 1-3 ppm (parts per million) chlorine or 2-4 ppm bromine is also a great help. They’re sometimes called algaestats and inhibit the growth of all types. Others are known as pool algaecides and actually kill off any algae that’s already present. The difference is mostly one of concentration.

But there are other really handy chemicals to control and eliminate algae.

♦ Quats

One of the most popular is a category called quats, short for quaternary ammonium salts. Packaged typically in concentrates ranging from 5-10%, they can prevent or get rid of existing algae. In the latter case, they’re usually called polyquats and have concentrations of 30-60%. The results are visible within hours. Unfortunately, if used in too-high amounts, that result can also be visible since it will produce foaming on the surface. Follow the directions for use.

♦ Copper

Copper salts are almost equally popular and have equally good results in terms of preventing or killing algae. Unfortunately, they require more care in use since they can stain your pool. Over time, copper salts can deposit onto the surfaces where they form a blue haze. When high concentrations of chlorine are present in the pool, copper salts can produce a black stain.

♦ Silver

Silver is another common element used to combat algae. It tends to cling to the surfaces, where it remains for long periods. That provides great ongoing prevention of algae formation. It also helps kill bacteria. But it may form black stains over time if it isn’t used carefully.

Whether you use pool algaecides or any other pool algae chemicals to kill algae in your pool be sure to read the labels carefully and follow the directions. You’ll have a great looking pool that is unfriendly for the tiny plants, but healthy for you and your family.

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