Algaecide Types
Home Up Green Algae Yellow Algae Black Algae Pink Slime Algaecide Types

 

Home
Up

There are several different types of compounds used to create algaecides.

They are:

bulletQuats - Quaternary Ammonium compounds.  The largest selling and lowest priced of the algaecides.  Such "quaternary ammonium slats" are surfactants and, if added in excess, will cause foaming on the pool water surface.  Surfactants lower the surface tension of the pool water and "wet" algae cell walls.  This "wetting" splits open the cell wall and kills the algae.

bulletPolyquats - Are non-foaming algaecides sold in concentrations of 30% - 60%, as compared to QUATS, which are usually between 5% to 10% active.  While more costly than QUATS, polyquat algaecides are very effective not only on green algae, but also with the chlorine-resistant mustard yellow and black algae.

bulletCopper Salts - Copper ion (Cu+2) is a very effective algaecide and is used in ponds and lagoons as well as pools to kill and prevent algae formations.  The down side to copper usage is stain formation.  Over time, soluble copper salts will precipitate from pool water and deposit on pool walls, creating a "blueing" effect.  Then, in the presence of chlorine, these salts will turn to cupric oxide that causes grey to black staining of the pool walls.  Copper Salts are often used with a chelating agent to prevent staining, especially with citric acid or triethanolamine.  Copper salts are most effective against yellow mustard algae.

~ Expert Pool & Spa, Inc. ~
"Ask The Experts!"
Omaha Nebraska
Ask your questions on our FORUM!
Please do not call us on the telephone unless you live in Lincoln or Omaha Nebraska areas. Telephone consultation is $75 per hour/hour minimum payable in advance via PayPal.
Out of state residents please post your questions on the FORUM for quick answers. Copyright 1995~2006 Expert Pool & Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.
No portion of this web site may be reproduced or copied without permission. Pricing, availability, content, advise, or technique may change without notice.
All content is provided "as is" and Expert Pool & Spa, Inc. is not responsible in any way for losses arising due to related content on this site.
Expert Pool & Spa does NOT sell or service aboveground pools. Try the FORUM for questions and answers!  This site is optimized for 1024x768 Resolution screens.
This website was last updated on
Tuesday May 24, 2011