According to Mark Roemer Oakland, resident swimming pool owners often have to deal with algae which can reduce water circulation, clog filters, and lower the effectiveness of pool chemicals. Green algae are one of the most common types of algae that you have to deal with, but you can get rid of them easily if you follow the correct steps.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips you can follow to get rid of green algae in your pool:
- Get rid of green algae using chlorine – Chlorine is the bane of green algae and unsurprisingly, the green at the bottom of the pool is often a result of the pool not having enough chlorine. Thus, you can get rid of green algae clumps in your pool, simply by adding an adequate amount of chlorine to it.
Ideally, it is better to go for liquid chlorine products which can help with shock treatment. Avoid products that contain calcium hypochlorite if your pool has hard water. Calcium hypochlorite and lithium hypochlorite are suitable alternatives. However, ensure you avoid tablet or granular chlorine products such as dichlor or trichlor since these contain stabilizers. Also, remember to handle all chemical products with care since they are flammable and explosive.
The process can be completed in as little as 1-3 days if the condition of the pool is otherwise hygienic. However, if the condition of the pool is poor, the process can take up to 7 days.
- Use a flocculant to get rid of algae – Using a flocculant or a coagulant is one of the fastest ways to get rid of green algae in your pool. It can take a full day to gather all the algae into clumps and vacuum the living algae to clean the pool.
However, it is still recommended that you follow up the process with a chlorine shock treatment to get rid of all the bacteria and viruses that can still remain in the pool even after the use of a flocculant. Thus, ensure that your pool is properly sanitized by checking the pH and chlorine levels before going for a swim.
- Get rid of algae using algaecide – Algaecide should be utilized as a last resort since this treatment option is expensive, less effective, and can create side effects such as foaming in the water. However, algaecide can be used to kill green algae and even the tougher variants of algae such as black algae.
- Take measures to prevent algae – Getting rid of algae in your pool is always a hassle. Thus, it is better to maintain your pool properly to reduce the chance of algal bloom. Always test the water in your swimming pool at least twice a week to ensure optimal pH levels, chlorine levels and also check for cyanuric acid and alkalines. Brush the walls and floor of the swimming pool whenever they get dirty to prevent algae from accumulating.
Conclusion
Mark Roemer Oakland suggests you wear gloves, eye protection, and avoid inhaling the dangerous chemicals that you have to handle during the pool cleaning process. Wash your hands after every use and ensure no amount of chemicals remain on your clothes.