What is Algae?

Algae are microscopic plants that enter your pool by wind, rain and fill water. Algae pores can be yellow, black, green and pink in swimming pools.

Algae blooms in warm water and feed off nitrates and phosphates found in the pool water. They can turn your pool green in a day. Low or no chemicals and poor equipment can also lead to algae taking over your swimming pool.

Here is how to fix it:

Step 1- Test the pool water

Test your swimming pool water by using a chemical test kit to measure the chlorine levels, alkalinity and pH level to begin. Once the water is clear you will need to test your stabilizer and calcium. A phosphate test will come in handy as well since algae feed off phosphate.

Step 2- Balance the pool chemistry

Balance the pH by adding acid or base to bring it just around 7.2-7.8. Turn on your pump so that the chemicals circulate throughout the pool; correct the pH level by increasing the pH with sodium bicarbonate or decreasing the pH by adding acid. A balanced ph allows the chlorine to be more efficient.

The goal is to maintain zero phosphate levels, Chlorine levels between 1-5 ppm, Alkalinity 80-120, ideal pH level should be 7.4-7.6 but it is acceptable to have a pH of 7.2-7.8, Stabilizer 30-70 and Calcium 200-400. 

Step 3- Clean the filter

Clean the filter cartridge by rinsing it or backwash it if you have a sand or DE filter media. Make sure to clean both baskets by rinsing out any debris and leaves. If you have a DE filter you will need to recharge the DE powder after every backwash.

Set the pump to run at least 12-24 hours the first day, then rinse the filter on the second day and lower the pump timer between 8-10 hours a day.

Step 4- Brush the walls and floor 

Use a pool brush to scrub the pool before adding any chemicals to the water. Scrubbing breaks the algae up allowing chemicals to work more efficiently. Use a nylon brush if you have a vinyl pool. if you have a concrete pool use a wire brush.

Step 5- Shock the pool

Pool shocking has high levels of chlorine to destroy algae and sanitize your pool. You may use liquid chlorine or granules. Always follow the manufacture's label when adding chemicals to your pool.

The chlorine concentration I use has the following application 1 lb. per 10,000 gallons of water or 1/2 gallon of liquid to bring the chlorine levels to 5ppm.

If your pool water is light green double the dosage. If your pool water is dark green triple the dosage. You may have to treat it more than once until the algae stops blooming.

Never get back in the water even if the water is blue and clear until you test the chlorine and pH levels. The chlorine levels must be between 1-5 ppm to be safe. Remember when you double or triple the dosage your chlorine levels could range between 10-20ppm. Also don't forget that as the chlorine is destroying the algae and sanitizing the pool you may have to add more chlorine. The safest and best practice is to continue testing the chlorine levels.

Step 6- Add Algaecide to your pool

Add Algaecide to your pool and let it work at least for 24 hours. Follow the manufacture's label when adding any chemicals. For example: if you have a 20,000 gallon pool and the algaecide label says to add 8 ounces per 10,000 gallon then add 16 ounces.

When you purchase an algaecide be  sure to get the one to eliminate algae and not the one to maintain for balanced pools.

Step 7- Clean the Filter

on Day 2 repeat Step 3 to clean the dead algae

Step 8- Vacuum the pool floor

Day 3 your pool will turn blue but he water is cloudy because dead algae is gray in color and will float in the surface and/or drop to the floor.

Vacuum the pool floor and continue running your pump to filter the dead algae.

Continue cleaning and running your filter until algae is gone. Also maintain chlorine levels between 1-5 ppm.

If Algae seems to be coming back go thru the shocking and treating process until it is cleared.

 

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