Algaecide is harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Avoid breathing in the vapor or spray mist. Avoid any contact with the skin and eyes, as prolonged contact with the skin can cause allergic reactions depending on skin type.
Here are some protective measures to take after exposure to an algaecide.
- Wear clothing or protective equipment that covers you properly.
- Wear eye goggles or glasses and gloves that do not expose any part of your fingers.
- Wash your hands with soap thoroughly after contact with algaecide before eating, drinking, or handling tobacco.
- Take off your clothing or personal protective equipment immediately if algaecide happens to pour on it.
Pool maintenance chemicals like chlorine and bromine are actually more toxic and corrosive compared to algaecide. Regardless, necessary safety protocols should be followed when dealing with any of these chemicals, as they can be very dangerous. Just in case you have to apply muriatic acid to your pool to reduce the alkalinity, remember to dilute it before adding it to the swimming pool as it is harmful to humans and it’s likely to damage your pool surface.
Is it safe to swim with algaecide in the pool?
It is generally recommended that you wait for at least 15–30 minutes before going on to swim in your pool after applying algaecide.
Unlike algaecide, not all pool maintenance chemicals are safe for you to swim in after 30 minutes. An example of a chemical that lasts longer is liquid chlorine. You would have to leave it for at least four hours.
Excessive exposure to chlorine can cause rashes, coughing, nose or throat pain, eye irritation, etc. This is why necessary precautions need to be taken before applying chemicals to your pool. If you think the process might be too complicated for you, it is best to seek the services of a pool expert or water scientist.
Is algaecide harmful to the skin?
The feeling of waking up and finding out that your pool has suddenly started developing a green surface. It leaves you confused and worried about what exactly you might have done wrong. This leaves you eventually looking for solutions, which leads to an algaecide.
Algaecide is not so corrosive compared to chlorine and bromine, but it still poses risks to your skin.
Common problems of algaecide to humans are as follows.
- It causes irritation to the eyes.
- It causes skin irritation.
- It is harmful if mistakenly swallowed.
- It causes respiratory irritation.
Different steps to follow to safely apply algaecide to your swimming pool
- Choose the right algaecide to use: there’s silver algaecide and there’s copper-based algaecide. If your algae problem is that of yellow algae, then copper-based algaecide would be the best to use, while silver-based algaecide is more preferable in treating green algae problems, which is very popular.
- Balance your pool chemistry before administering algaecide: ensure you test the water levels in your pool; test for pH, alkalinity, and chlorine. Balance them up. Sometimes, after balancing your pool, your algae problems will disappear, but if they don’t, then continue with these steps.
- Pick the dosage to use: determine the actual amount of the algaecide that you’ll like to apply to your swimming pool. Do this carefully by reading the producer’s manual on the algaecide bottle for the right measurement. Normally, the dosage will be based on the number of gallons of water that your pool holds. Also, take note that the algaecide is corrosive. Wear the proper protective equipment before beginning the process.
- Pour the necessary algaecide dose into the water: add the algaecide into several areas around the pool. Ensure that your swimming pool pump is running during this process so that the algaecide can be properly circulated. Allow the algaecide to sit for about 30 minutes before using the pool.
Can too much algaecide make a pool cloudy?
A cloudy pool brings so much displeasure. Imagine coming back home after a stressful day at work and finding your pool surface cloudy. It becomes unappealing to swim. The next call to action would be to find a solution. It gets more frustrating when you just shocked your pool and applied algaecide, only to find the pool cloudy after treatment. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in such a scenario.
Algaecide in high amounts or copper-based algaecides can cause your swimming pool to be cloudy.
However, if you have just shocked your pool and applied algaecide and the pool is still cloudy after 24 hours, then the shock you administered might be low grade or just not enough.
Let’s look at some common signs of cloudy water.
Poor or imbalanced water chemicals: If your pool’s water chemical level is very low, bacteria and other contaminants are likely to begin developing, which means that your pool is not hygienic.
Bad filter: When your filter is bad, it cannot take off debris and leaves in your water, which eventually starts discoloring your pool and making it cloudy.
When you use the pool, you wash off lotion, hair products, and skin cells into the pool. All of this can alter the water balance and make the pool surface cloudy.
How long does algaecide last in a pool?
Every pool owner who loves the comfort their pool brings would love to know all the steps towards keeping the pool that way. Knowing all the intricacies and measures is especially important when they do not intend to hire the services of a water scientist or chemist.
Run your pump steadily and always watch your pool to check for any mold. After seven days, you can still add algaecide again until your algae problem is completely gone.
Do take note that algaecides are used as a preventive measure and not solely for treating algae. Shocking is the major treatment for algae problems. In some cases, you won’t have to add algaecide after shocking your pool; the problem will be solved. People only go as far as to combine algaecide for the sake of taking preventive measures.
How long should I wait to shock the pool after algaecide?
Algae problems are a common problem among pool owners. The green contaminant is a spoiler in the pool. It makes your pool cloudy, spreading its green growth everywhere.
It is generally recommended that you first shock your pool before adding algaecide, not add algaecide before shocking your pool. This is because algaecide is a preventive solution, not the ultimate treatment for algae problems.
The appropriate time to allow your pool after a shock before adding chlorine is 24 hours.
What is the difference between algaecide and chlorine?
Most pool owners will tell you they do not have a background in chemistry, but they know almost all the chemicals needed to treat and maintain a pool. This is because they take the time to research and get answers to important questions like this, which I’m sure is why you’re here too. Stay with us, as we shall be providing information about these things as we proceed.
Chlorine actually serves as a sanitizer; it’s powerful enough to ultimately clean your pool and make it hygienic. It doesn’t matter how slimy, dirty, or cloudy your pool gets; chlorine is capable of killing all of it and making it safe. Chlorine is even more effective in killing algae than algaecide because it oxidizes bacteria and single-celled algae. In other words, they trade electrons.
Algaecide, on the other hand, is a preventive solution towards keeping algae at bay after shock might have been administered in the pool. Algaecide can still be a bit effective in killing off algae in your pool, but not as effective as chlorine. Chlorine serves as a general sanitizer which kills all contaminants, algae included.
Should I run the filter after adding algaecide?
Your pool pump and filter are important parts of your pool. Apart from helping pick up debris from the surface of your pool, they also help chemicals circulate properly in the pool.
So, yes, it is very important to run your pump after administering algaecide to enable it to circulate accurately in the pool and become very effective.
It is also necessary that your filter runs when you add chlorine to your pool.
Can I add algaecide during the day?
Knowing particular times to treat your pool can prove to be effective in your pool maintenance and treatment. There are certain tweaks that could make your pool chemical administration even better, like certain times of the day to add the chemicals.
It is generally recommended that you add your algaecide in the morning for best performance. Since algae grows more when in contact with sunlight, adding algaecide during its growth time can destabilize and kill it effectively.
Unlike algaecide, the best time to add chlorine to your pool is in the evening, since it takes about 24 hours for it to be completely done in your pool. While you’re resting or sleeping at night, the chlorine is working in the pool, so you can wake up in the morning and use your pool after the hours have been completed.
