Algae problems in a swimming pool are one of the most common problems among pool owners. The stark green look completely throws every feeling of swimming away; just as it appears unsafe, so it is. In this blog post, we’ll look at the necessary times to add chemicals that help kill off algae.
It is generally recommended that to get rid of the algae in your swimming pool, you shock it. Not just shocking it. For more protection, you can administer algaecide after the shock.
It is recommended that you apply an algaecide after shocking your pool. You have to wait at least 24 hours. This is the same way too, if you first administer the algaecide before the shock or chlorine sanitizer.
Now it is important that before you shock your pool, run tests to know the accurate water chemistry level so that you can know the necessary amount of shock to administer to raise the water chemistry.
So take note that chlorine in more than necessary amounts can be very harmful to the skin and eyes. And a lesser amount would not be enough to sanitize the pool effectively.
Do I really need algaecide in my pool?
Getting familiar with the means of maintaining and treating your pool is vital. It will save you a lot of money from hiring a water expert or chemist and give you the right knowledge to implement your own water treatment anytime you like. Let’s quickly look at algaecide and whether it is indispensable in the removal of algae.
Well, algae will always be there, but that doesn’t mean it is compulsory that you treat it with an algaecide. With a well-balanced water chemistry, you do not have to worry about algaecide at all. The only reason people use algaecide just after shock is to further protect the swimming pool from algae, not because algaecide is indispensable.
Unless in situations where you’re dealing with mustard algae or black algae, where an algaecide would really be important to use, there is no need to bother too much about it as only shock can do the job.
Also, do take note that testing is an important part of pool treatment and maintenance. It is vital to first know your water chemistry level before adding any chemical to it. This will help determine the needed amount of the chemical solution to use.
How long after algaecide can I add other chemicals?
Adding algaecide should normally come before shocking. But well, if you want to first add an algaecide, it is recommended that you wait at least twenty-four hours before going on to add any other chemical.
It might also interest you to know the different types of algaecides out there, in case you are planning to treat your pool.
Copper-based algaecides: these are the most common types of algaecides. However, if your pool has suffered metal staining in the past or if your swimming pool is bacquil, it will not be advisable for you to use this type of algaecide. Lots of copper-based algaecide tend to be insoluble in water that has a pH of over 7.
Polyquat algaecides: these are very good and designed to inhibit the growth of algae in the pool. They are generally seen as safer to use compared to copper-based algaecide.
This type of algaecide does not affect your pool, but it is likely to cause foaming that might damage your filter if misused. On the matter of effectiveness, the polyquat algaecide is capable of slowing the growth of algae but cannot automatically stop the growth of algae in your swimming pool.
Should I run the filter after adding algaecide?
Algae is one of the most common problems in swimming pools. The greenish look is a major determinant of algae problems, although some variants of algae, like yellow and black, have different colors. In this article, we’ll be looking at how to effectively treat an algae problem in a pool with algaecide.
Yes, it is important that you keep the pump running when you apply algaecide to the pool to help it circulate. Allow the pool to sit for thirty minutes before you or anyone uses it.
steps on how to use algaecide.
- Choose the correct algaecide that you’ll be using, whether it’s copper-based or silver-based. A copper-based algaecide best treats yellow algae, while silver algaecide does very well in treating black and green algae.
- To avoid wasting algaecide, ensure that the chemistry of your pool is well balanced. Check the chlorine level, pH level, and alkalinity by testing the water. Then apply the necessary chemicals and balance them.
- Decide on the dosage to use. Read the manufacturer’s instructions on measurements. Normally, the dosage will be based on the number of gallons of water that your pool holds. It is advisable that before administering or touching the algaecide, you should wear gloves, eyeglasses, and skin protection to avoid burns and eye problems.
- Add the algaecide dose into the water, pour it into several areas of the pool, then turn on your pump to make sure the algaecide circulates appropriately.
- Use a vacuum to remove the dead algae in the pool 24 hours after the administration of algaecide.
How often should you put algaecide in your pool?
It is generally recommended that you add algaecide to your swimming pool on a weekly basis. Preventing algae growth in your pool is the pathway to the leisure your pool gives. Algaecide, as new pool owners might think, does not go on its own; you have to pair it with shock.
After applying shock treatment in the pool, you wait for 24 hours before applying algaecide. This is how it should be, but unfortunately, so many people use only algaecide, which on its own can not sanitize the pool properly.
Chlorine is indispensable in your pool. In fact, so many pool experts hold the opinion that chlorine is the best algaecide.
A well-sanitized swimming pool will have no algae, bacteria, or other contaminant growth. That’s the truth.
So, instead of placing too much emphasis on algaecide, consider proper pool sanitization and treatment maintenance. Always test the water chemistry level from time to time and do what’s necessary when needed. This is the only way you can completely prevent algae growth in your swimming pool.
What happens if you put too much algaecide in your pool?
Algaecide, like other swimming pool water treatment chemicals, can be very dangerous when you use more than the necessary amount that is supposed to be used.
When you add more than the necessary amount of algaecide to your pool water, it can cause foaming, which can damage your pool’s filter. It can also cause eye and skin irritation.
Make sure you add an accurate amount when you want to add algaecide to your pool. Generally, the number of gallons your pool holds should determine the dosage. Also, always make sure that you read the manufacturer’s dosage instructions to avoid making mistakes in the process of administering the algaecide.
It is also important that your pH level is checked after adding algaecide to your pool. You don’t want to be battling a low or high pH just after treating for algaecide. Trust me.
Will algaecide help a cloudy pool?
You can use algaecide to clear algae that makes your pool water cloudy in the early stages, but not really when it’s all cloudy anymore.
It is very important to know the reason why your pool is cloudy. It is important that you first test your pool, check your filter and other possible causes before going ahead to treat it so that it can be prevented next time.
Common reasons why your swimming pool is cloudy are as follows:
- Poor water balance: When your water chemistry and balance are off, your pool is likely to turn cloudy because your water becomes unhealthy.
- Bad filter: Bad or poor filtration simply means your filter does not run long enough, it’s damaged, clogged, or there’s a scale on the filter that prevents it from circulating.
- Humans: Humans are another major reason why the pool gets cloudy. Skin products like body lotion, spray, hair, and other materials applied to the body all drop off into the pool, which throws off the water balance and causes cloudy water.
Let’s quickly look at some ways you can treat cloudy water.
Using a pool clarifier can help clear your swimming pool’s surface. However, it is important you first resolve the main problem before applying pool clarifier, as your pool might go back to its normal state after a couple of days.
- Brush, skim, and vacuum your pool: Clean your pool appropriately, skim debris in the pool, brush the walls thoroughly, and vacuum all dirt and particles in the water.
- Test your water and balance it. Use a test kit to check for water levels and balance it properly. Adjust the pH and alkalinity appropriately until the water is balanced. Also, balance chemical levels too.
- Add pool clarifier: Pool clarifier destabilizes the contaminants that cause clouding and clears your pool surface.
