Tips & Advice
Swimming Pool Algae - The Types and How to Get Rid of Them
Swimming pool algae is a common problem that pool owners will have to deal with at some stage or another. On a daily basis, spores enter the pool through rain, wind, equipment or even contaminated swimming costumes.
When conditions are favorable to the reproduction of algae, it can easily sprout and multiply overnight.
Off balance water;
- Warm temperatures
- Sunlight
- Nitrates
- Carbon Dioxide
- Lack of circulation
- Dirty conditions
A bit about swimming pool algae;
Algae is a single- celled plant. There are a large variety of different types of algae, some live in water and some don’t. Using the process of photosynthesis, algae is able to manufacture its own food, allowing itself to grow at a rapid pace. Swimming pool algae comes in a variety of different colors and forms, making it adaptable to most conditions.
Swimming pool algae is microscopic in size. It takes millions of these plants to accumulate in order for them to even be noticed by the human eye.
Types of swimming pool algae
Overall, there are a total of about 21 000 known varieties within the algae family. When it comes to swimming pool algae, its type is referred to by its color.
Green Algae
- Most common
- Free floating/ clings to walls
- Reduces water clarity- may turn green
- May appear as “spots” on the surface
- May clog filters
- Has relatives: Small- celled Green Algae (SCGA)
- Water remains clear
- Very resistant to Chlorine
Black Algae
- Most irritating algae strain
- Once it is there, it is there for life
- Strong roots
- Protective layer over algae
- Black, blue, green spots
- Roots extend into plaster or tile grout
- If roots not destroyed, a head will grow back
- Resistant to normal Chlorine levels
Treatment for Black Algae: see Yellow Algae treatment.
Yellow Algae (Mustard Algae)
- Clings to wall
- Grows on shady side of pool
- Forms in sheets
- Re- infection is common
- Resistant to normal Chlorine levels
Treating Yellow Algae in a swimming pool needs to be done thoroughly. The pool water needs to be balanced and the algae needs to be brushed off the sides in order to open it up. Using a good quality algaecide and adding a double dosage of shock will destroy the algae.
Pink Algae
- More a bacteria
- Spots, streaks
- In corners and crevices
- Slow spreading
- Will not spread over entire swimming pool
Treating Pink Algae can be a laborious task. Swimming pool owners need to physically remove and clean all pink slime away. Once this has been done, adding algaecide and higher levels of Chlorine should do the trick.
PH Levels in Your Pool & Keeping It Blue During a Storm
Maintaining your pool during the rainy season can be quite a daunting task. Having the know-how to be able to effectively manage the situation makes all the difference. Stormy weather and rainy seasons can play havoc on your pools pH levels. Additional monitoring of your pH levels and total alkalinity (TA) during these times is a must if you want to ensure a clean and sparkling blue pool.
Why do swimming pools turn green after stormy weather?
Electrical storms (as well as normal rainy weather) bring nutrients from the air. These nutrients are mainly Nitrogen, which is potential algae, and Ozone which, when mixed with your pool water, alter the pH levels of your pool. This creates the ideal conditions in which algae thrive. With an electrical storm, more nitrogen is released in the atmosphere, thereby altering your pH levels even more, causing your pool to become a cloudy green colour the following day.
How to correct your pools pH levels after a storm.
Incorrect pH levels are a frequent cause of pool problems. If the pH of your pool drops below 7.2 chlorine will start dissipating at a rapid pace which will increase overall maintenance costs. On the other end of the scale, if the pH levels go over 7.6, the disinfectant power of the chlorine is hampered. For interest sake when the pH level reaches 8.5 the efficacy of the chlorine is down to as low as 9%.
To correct your pH levels, alkali or acid is required. Alkali increases pH levels while pool acid decreases it. Soda ash can also be used to raise a low pH reading. When dealing with these products, be sure to wear safety goggles as well as rubber gloves. Be sure to dispense the chemicals evenly around the pool, making sure they mix well with the water. Remember, that you are aiming for a pH level of 7.5, the approximate pH of the human body. Warning; always add chemicals to water, either in the pool or in a bucket, never water to chemicals.
What happens if my pH levels are incorrect?
A low pH level (7.1 to 7.2) means your pool is becoming acidic. a pH level of 7.0 and below means the water will become too acidic for swimming and will begin to harm the surface of the pool and the pool equipment. A low pH will cause a swimmer’s eyes to burn as the water becomes very aggressive in it’s endeavour to find a balance between acidity and alkalinity.
A high pH level (a pH level of 7.8 and above, mainly caused by stormy weather), will result in itchy skin and scaling on the pool walls and pool equipment.
What is Total Alkalinity (TA) and why does it matter?
Total alkalinity, or TA, is the measurement of all alkali compounds in the pool water. The Total Alkalinity is responsible for levels of fluctuation within the pools pH level. An acceptable TA is between 80 and 120 parts per million depending on pool conditions. The general rule of thumb here is, if your pH levels tend to get to high, your TA is likely to be high as well and visa versa.
Salt Water Pool Maintenance - Getting Ready for Summer
Summer has started poking its nose around the corner and with the warmth comes opportunity to enjoy lazy days in the pool. There are however steps that need to be taken in ensuring that the pool is ready. Winter build up needs to be cleaned away before the fun in the sun can begin.
Salt water and fresh water pools have as many differences as they do similarities. Each type of pool, therefore, needs a different approach to cleaning. One of the main differences with salt water pools is the chlorine generator. This machine takes the salt out of the water, and through the process of electrolysis it turns the salt in the water into Hypochlorus. This is the chemical that Chlorine is made up of. This chlorine generator needs much care in the way of maintenance.
Scrape mineral deposits off the device
If too much buildup develops, the generator could stop working and this will put the salt water pool at risk of contamination, algae and other forms of bacteria. If this happened, the pool will pose as a risk to the general maintenance as well as the general health of those who swim in it.
Salt water pool pump
If this is left unattended throughout the year, salt water can enter into the pump’s water filter. If this happens, salt crystals will develop which will affect the performance of the pool pump. In the worst case the pool pump will stop working if crystals get too big and start interfering with the motor. This process of salt water pool crystallization is an ongoing problem and needs to be kept under control throughout the year.
Check the pools lining
Salt water pools often have damage on the lining of the pool. The salt water can dry out the lining, making it brittle and frail. To ensure that this does not happen, salt water pool owners should scrub down the pool lining once every four to six weeks. Alternatively, coating the pool lining with an anti- salt solution will prevent damage.
What to do after taking the pool net off your salt water pool for summer;
- Fill with new, fresh water
- Turn off salt- generated system
- Turn off pool filter
- Add salt to the deep end
- Brush pool with plastic or nylon brush until salt has dissolved
Weekly salt water pool maintenance
- Empty skimmer basket
- Sweep pool
- Test alkalinity (between 80 and 100)
- Test and maintain PH levels (between 7.2 and 7.8)
- Towel off water lines
- Clear away pool debris
Salt water pools can be very enjoyable if they are maintained properly.