PC102: ALGAESMART START Pool School

WHAT IS ALGAE?

➤ Algae are a diverse, expansive group of organisms—not quite plants, not quite animals—that exist all over the planet.

➤ Many species get all their nutrition from the sun, just like plants.

➤ Most species of algae spread through spores that can attach to creatures to travel long distances.

➤ Pools deal with three main types: green, black, and mustard.

Left: green algae. Right, top: black algae. Right, bottom: mustard (yellow) algae.

GREEN ALGAE

➤ Green algae is the most common type of algae found, with over 7,000 varieties.

➤ Green algae is typically free-floating, though some may adhere to surfaces.

➤ Water will generally appear green and hazy in the presence of green algae, though with excessive amounts of algae the water will be “swampy.”

➤ When algae is present, it will gradually drive the pH up, making chlorine less effective, meaning the algae can spread more easily!

BLACK ALGAE

➤ Black algae (also known as blue-green algae) is not really algae! It’s actually a type of bacteria.

➤ Black algae is surface-adhering; it’s more common in plaster and gunite pools. (You may also see it in aquariums!)

➤ Black algae forms multiple coatings to protect itself, making treatment difficult. Brushing is key to removing black algae entirely.

➤ If left too long, black algae will eventually cause damage to the pool surface and may require acid washing and replastering to fully remove.

MUSTARD ALGAE

➤ Mustard algae is a mutation of green algae; the “mustard” color comes from beta-carotene (the same thing that makes carrots orange!)

➤ Mustard algae tends to appear yellow-brown in color (hence the name) and is more like a fine dust or powder; it brushes easily and tends to resettle on steps and other surfaces.

➤ Mustard algae tends to be more difficult to treat than standard green algae.

➤ Mustard algae “dusts,” coating equipment and leaving one prone to reintroducing the algae to the pool. When treating mustard algae, all items that came in contact with the pool should be tossed into the pool to be treated along with the water.

➤ The beta-carotene makes mustard algae resistant to chlorine treatments.

HOW TO TREAT ALGAE

➤ Before beginning any treatment process, bring a water sample to The Pool & Spa House.

➤ Your specialist cannot test for algae in your pool; you will need to tell them you have algae.

➤ Describe the water’s appearance to them; bring several photos, if able, to help your specialist determine which type of algae you have.

HOW TO TREAT ALGAE

➤ Depending on severity, the treatment will differ.

➤ Pools under 5,000gal may choose to drain, physically clean out algae, and refill rather than using chemical treatments.

➤ For very small blooms, vacuuming the algae to waste may help; in general, however, treatment is preferred.

➤ Pools that are particularly swampy—the pool is solid green and the bottom is not visible—may want to start by using a floccing agent (PowerFloc) to settle out some of the algae to be vacuumed. This can make the traditional algae treatment more effective.

HOW TO TREAT ALGAE

➤ Check and balance pH to 7.4 to make the treatment more effective.

➤ Apply 3lbs of BurnOut 73 for every 16,500gal of water to the pool with the pump running. For vinyl pools, predissolve the shock before applying, or you can use Smart Shock at a rate of 3lbs for every 12,000gal.

➤ This is a minimum recommendation; your water care specialist may recommend a larger dose of shock.

➤ Circulate the shock for one hour.

➤ Apply 1 quart of Banish for every 20,000gal of water. Once the Banish has been applied, brush all surfaces vigorously.

➤ For pools with black algae, brush algae spots vigorously to break off the protective layers, allowing the treatment to penetrate the algae more effectively.

➤ It is important to use Banish; off-brand algicides may cause staining!

HOW TO TREAT ALGAE

➤ Circulate continuously, continuing to brush regularly.

➤ Once the pool is no longer green, proceed depending on how the water looks.

➤ If the pool is clear, chemically clean the filter with Strip Kwik to remove any algae trapped in the filter.

➤ If the pool is cloudy-grey or cloudy-blue, apply Pool First Aid to remove dead algae from the main body of the pool; circulate for 24 hours, then chemically clean the filter with Strip Kwik to remove any algae trapped in the filter.

➤ Preventing algae is much easier than killing it! Stick to the 3-Step Care System to help prevent algae.

➤ Chlorine is usually not enough to prevent algae; when chlorine levels drop, algae is more likely to take hold. Apply your preventative algicide (Back Up 2 or Algae All 60) weekly and after rainstorms, heavy usage, long backwashes, or any other time that more water than usual has been added.

➤ Using Optimizer Plus, in addition to providing softer water, adds a secondary layer of protection against algae, but it does not replace your preventative algicide.

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