There are many reasons that algae develops in your swimming pool, but there may be a few things you can do to prevent it. Here are 4 causes and what you should do about them.
1: Excess chlorine is applied during the winter months when the water temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit2: Your pH level is too high3: You use less than 2 gallons of water per day4 : You have hard-to-kill bacteria at work
Algae is a common sight in pools, but it’s not always harmless. Here are the four most likely causes of algae in your pool and what to do about them. Read more in detail here: is pool algae harmful to humans.
There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, I may get a commission. I also earn money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. —
The prevalence of algae in a pool is something you may have observed, particularly if you are a regular swimmer. Algae may be caused by a number of factors, and it is most often caused by a number of factors.
The last thing you want to see while diving into the pool is a little of green on some portions of the pool, suggesting the presence of algae.
You’ll probably feel disgusted and want to get out of the pool right now. Furthermore, the presence of algae suggests that the pool’s filters are malfunctioning or that the water hasn’t been refreshed or cleaned in a long time.
There are many reasons why algae may begin to develop in a swimming pool.
However, before we go any further, it’s vital to grasp what algae is. Algae are a varied category of aquatic creatures that produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
Algae don’t have genuine roots, leaves, or stems, and their vascular systems aren’t well-developed enough to transport nutrients throughout their bodies or water.
Algae are characterized by the fact that many of them are unicellular and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Algae create their own nourishment mostly via light energy, but they can also synthesize oxygen and other carbohydrates.
Algae reproduces by spores, which is one of the key reasons for its rapid proliferation. The spores may be thrown in many directions, and once they locate a suitable location, they will begin to proliferate.
If you’ve ever seen algae growing in ponds or on the edges of lakes, you’re probably aware that it needs a certain set of circumstances to thrive.
To begin with, the water must be still. Although algae isn’t generally dangerous to most swimmers, it may create an unpleasant atmosphere for them.
After all, would you want to swim in an algae-infested pool? It not only looks ugly, but it will also pollute the water.
Furthermore, algae is damaging to the pool. If there is algae in your pool and the filters are turned on, the filter is likely to get blocked.
The damage will eventually be irreversible, and you may need to replace the filter entirely. Needless to say, even a little error in judgment might end up costing you a lot of money.
Furthermore, merely eradicating the algae from your swimming pool will be challenging. Because you can’t switch on the filter, you can expect to spend a lot of money and time clearing up the pool.
Let’s speak about the key sources of algae in a swimming pool now that you know what algae is and how damaging it can be.
Algae in a Swimming Pool: What Causes It?
Cyanobacteria algae, the most prevalent form of algae, is found in nature and is often blue or green in appearance. It may be found in almost any kind of soil or plant waste.
As previously said, algal spores have a significant potential of blowing all the way into your pool, and may also be transported into the pool by improperly cleaned swimwear.
For example, if a swimmer had worn the same swimwear while swimming in the ocean, algal spores may have been brought into the pool. In the most basic terms, you should assume that algae is always there in the pool and that it will only bloom when certain circumstances are satisfied.
So, what are these circumstances?
1 – Inadequate Water Circulation
Poor water circulation is one of the most common causes of algae formation in swimming pools. Although you may not have noticed it while swimming, water circulates continuously around the pool, flowing from the pool into the filter and then back again.
However, if the filter isn’t working correctly or if a smaller filter is utilized for a bigger pool, there’s a potential that dead patches may form in particular areas. Algae may bloom in these dead places or low-flow zones.
Algae can only develop in still water, so as long as the water is flowing, you won’t have anything to worry about. This is a significant issue with larger pools.
Testing should be done on a regular basis to see whether the water is flowing evenly throughout the pool or if there are any locations where the flow is significantly decreased or if there is a dead spot.
2 – Improper Water pH Balance
Apart from the pH, there are three things you should look at: alkalinity, cyanuric, and calcium levels. When was the last time the water levels in the pool were checked?
A high pH number in the water implies a higher amount of alkalinity, which, when combined with reduced chlorine levels, may lead to algae development. Because some minerals, such as calcium, actively work to counteract the formation of algae in a swimming pool, you must ensure that these levels are adjusted appropriately.
3 – Pool Sanitation Levels Are Inadequate
The most important cause for algae development in the pool is undoubtedly the pool’s very low or uneven chlorine levels.
When chlorine is added to swimming pool water, it produces hypochlorous acid, a weak acid. This acid is capable of killing bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, as well as pathogens that may cause diseases like diarrhea and others.
Chlorine is used in swimming pools all around the world. The procedure uses a variety of chlorine-based chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite, chlorine gas, and even chlorinated isocyanurates.
When these substances come into contact with water, hypochlorous acid is released, which helps to keep the water clean.
If the chlorine level in the pool is too low, algae can bloom fast.
4 – Inadequate Water Filtration
Filtration of the water is required on a regular basis. If you only have a limited amount of time to operate the filter in the pool, you should think about extending it.
Similarly, if the amount of water in the pool exceeds the filter’s capacity, you should consider replacing it entirely.
To prevent algae from growing in the pool, make sure you install a properly sized filter.
You’ll want to get rid of the algae as soon as possible, regardless of how it was introduced. Water discolouration is the most obvious symptom that your pool has algae.
The color of your pool may vary depending on the kind of algae that has infected it. Blue-black, yellow, or even green are all possibilities.
Now, let’s speak about the most effective techniques for clearing algae.
How to Remove Algae from Your Pool
The Best Solution Is Manual Vacuuming
To keep algae at bay, most people employ automatic or robotic pool cleaners. However, you should be aware that they aren’t as efficient as manual cleaners, and there’s a potential that they’ll overlook clear places.
Instead, try physically cleaning the area and tossing everything into the trash.
You’ll be able to bypass the filter system and avoid any recirculation of tainted water this way. When physically vacuuming around the pool, be sure to concentrate on regions with dead patches to eliminate algae stains.
Clean the Pool Correctly
It’s possible that the algae will settle on the pool’s walls. You must brush the algae off the walls thoroughly so that the sanitizer may penetrate deeply into the residual algae when added to the mix.
Furthermore, thoroughly brushing the pool walls with a high quality brush can aid in stirring up all the silt that has been trapped in the pool walls.
A firm pool brush is often a suitable option for cleaning the pool’s walls and floor. Corners and other shady places should be cleaned carefully since the possibilities of algae forming there are much greater.
The water will get more hazy as you clean it, obstructing your vision. One of the key reasons you should begin with these places is because of this.
Water should be balanced and tested on a regular basis.
You have a variety of tools at your disposal to test the water. To assess the pH value of the water, there are digital kits and testing strips available.
Not only that, but you can also test the alkalinity and determine if the water’s chemistry is correct or incorrect.
We’ve previously discussed the perfect circumstances for algae development, so you’ll need to adjust the water chemistry to keep the algae at bay. Before applying sanitizer to the water supply, be sure the sanitizer is capable of destroying algae.
If you use a low-quality sanitizer, it will most likely not be adequate to get rid of the algae. Low alkalinity, often known as a higher pH value, may significantly lessen pool shock.
Shock Therapy
There are certain types of algae that require Shock Therapy to get rid of the problem. If you haven’t used chlorine shock before, it’s best if you consider using calcium hypochlorite shock.
If the infection is severe, hypochlorite shock should be considered. The package instructions, which are normally found at the back of the container, will assist you in determining the quantity of shock you need based on the size of the pool.
Stabilized chlorine is not a good option for the pool since it will produce too much cyanuric acid. This will reduce the efficiency of your stabilizer and enable algae to return to your pool.
Furthermore, it has the potential to develop to more complex issues.
Remove it from consideration
When the Shock Therapy ends up killing the algae, the water in the pool is going to turn a cloudy blue. You will need to run the filter consistently for around eight hours to get the algae completely out of the pool.
Consider adding a little pool water clarifier to speed up the process. It’s also a good idea to verify whether the water supply is sufficient before turning on the pump.
Do not rinse the filter after cleaning it.
When it comes to cleaning the filter, most individuals make the error of washing it completely. You don’t want the filter slowly releasing particles back into the pool, which will resurface as algae once the circumstances are fulfilled.
To get rid of the small particles, immerse your filter in diluted muriatic acid.
These are just a few things to consider when it comes to removing algae from your pool. It will take some time and work on your side, but it is critical that you act soon to prevent the algae from spreading.
The “algae in pool, but chlorine is high” is a problem that can occur for many reasons. The 4 causes of algae are heat, lack of circulation, too much light, and poor maintenance.
Related Tags
- how to get rid of algae in pool quickly
- green algae in pool dangerous
- what kills algae in a pool
- algae on bottom of pool after shocking
- how to get rid of algae in above ground pool