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Algae are single-cell plants containing chlorophyll and are one of the hardiest and most widespread living organisms on this planet, existing in over 30,000 different varieties. Algae require warm water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide to grow - and pool water has the potential of providing just such an environment. Algae is a fungus which can grow in pool or spa water. There are several types of algae; green, red, mustard, black, clear, pink slime and others. Green algae are usually free-floating in the water, while blue-black cling to the walls and floor of the pool or spa and mustard yellow algae may be found growing on the shaded side of the pool. Black and yellow algae are usually the toughest to kill. Prevention is by far the most effective way to deal with algae. Maintain the disinfectant residual, brush frequently, and clean the skimmer faithfully. Destruction of Algae: The best algaecide (algae-killer) and algaestat (algae-preventative) is a properly maintained sanitizer level from 1-3 ppm for chlorine and 2-4 ppm for bromine. When the sanitizer levels are allowed to drop or deplete, algae spores (seeds) will germinate. Within 12 hours, a pool can be completely inundated with green algae. This condition is called algae bloom. Green algae bloom can be totally destroyed by Superchlorination with 30 ppm of free chlorine. Algaecides are chemicals added to pool water to control algae. While algaecides can kill algae at high dosages, most are utilized as algaestats, preventing algae formation when chlorine is allowed to become depleted. Consider them insurance policies against sloppy chlorination. With proper chlorine residuals and routine maintenance additions of algaecide along with proper vacuuming and brushing of the pool on a weekly basis, algae should not be a problem in your pool. If you are having difficulties eliminating algae from your pool, please contact us for specific help. Here are some Q & A's about algae: Question: What are algae and what problems can they cause? Algae are persistent forms of plant life and they are found almost everywhere. In pool water, their presence is indicated by color (green, yellow or black), by slippery green or tough black growing patches and often by an unpleasant odor. Algae slime clogs filters and cuts down on filter efficiency. Algae not only makes swimming unpleasant, but since they are chlorine consuming, also make it difficult to maintain effective chlorine residuals for proper disinfection.
Question: Why won't chlorine take care of algae problems? Chlorine, a germicide, in the recommended concentrations used to disinfect pool water will not kill many types of algae commonly found in swimming pools. Many strains of algae have become so resistant that even 40 ppm of chlorine will not kill them. Algae also "use up" or exert a "chlorine demand" so that it may be difficult to maintain enough chlorine to kill bacteria normally.
Question: What is mustard algae? Mustard algae are microscopic single celled plants which are covered by a mucilage sheath and contain yellow pigment bodies. The sticky sheath protects the cells and helps the algae to cling to the pool surfaces, giving them a characteristic "mustard" color appearance.
Question: What is pink algae? "Pink" algae is not an algae, it is a bacteria and therefore algaecides can't be used to destroy them. The correct method of destroying the pink bacteria is super-chlorination, along with cleaning the filter with Filter-Cleanse or manual cleaning and media replacement.
Question: How long will it take to get rid of the algae in the pool? There are a number of factors which need to be considered when trying to rid the pool of any type of algae. In particular, the number of algae present and the age of the algae have an enormous effect on how long it will take to clear your pool. The longer the algae have had to establish themselves in the pool, the longer it will take to get rid of them. Also, there is a wide difference in the lethal level of algaecide for the different strains of algae. You must add at least the recommended dosages of an algaecide to ensure maximum effectiveness. Finally, temperature of the water and sunlight will greatly effect the time required to kill the algae. Algae grow very rapidly in warm water and bright sunlight so the best time to apply an algaecide is mid morning or early afternoon.
Expert Pool & Spa recommends a weekly addition of algaecide to help prevent algae growth from beginning. We carry the full line of GLB pool and spa chemicals and we feel they make an excellent algaecide. For weekly prevention of algae growth we recommend using Algimycin 2000 or Algimycin 1000 at the recommended dose of at least 6 oz. per 10,000 gallons per week. It is important to begin the season with an initial treatment of at least 12 oz. per 10,000 gallons. These algaecides are highly concentrated and very effective.
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~ Expert Pool & Spa, Inc. ~
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