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SWIMMING POOLS
SPECIFIC ALGAE PROBLEMS
Drain Pool To Kill Black Algae? (2/5/99)
Black Algae In Vinyl Pool (7/15/98)
Mustard Algae (6/23/98)
Eliminating Green Algae (5/18/98)
Yellow/Mustard Color Deposits On Pool (5/12/98)
Black Algae In A Marcite Pool (5/6/98)
Pink Algae / Crystals & Grit (4/13/98)
Drain Pool To Kill Black Algae? (2/5/99)
Q:
We covered our pool in early October with a air-inflated bubble to keep the leaves out. Upon return from a trip the pool had black algae. Never have had it before. Pool is 15 yrs, inground, concrete. Live close to cotton, soybean fields. Very warm summer, fall with lots of algae pressure. My wife is convinced the only way to get rid of black algae is to drain the pool (45,000 gallons). Any thoughts about our success with killing the black without emptying the pool?
J.C. - Greenville, MS
A:
Draining the pool could lead to problems and is not a guarantee against black algae. There is no way to remove all traces of the algae from the pool area. The algae will bloom whenever the conditions are favorable. You must treat the water in order to make the water capable of destroying the algae. Warm temperature favor algae growth, as would the presence of fertilizers.
Good luck.
Sincerely,
Alan
Black Algae In Vinyl Pool (7/15/98)
Q:
I have Black Algae on the floor of my vinyl inground pool. I have tried superchlorinating, Yellow Out, Copper, brushing... and nothing seems to phase it. It only affects the white sections of my liner in the shallow end and it seems to almost disappear by 7am. But by 1pm it is back to full force. I used the Black Algae killer (trichlor) and while it bleached my liner it has been the only thing that has affected it.
E.B.
A:
Black Algae can be a problem. One of the reasons is that some types of algae form a layer of polymucosaccharide, which acts as a water repellent and protects it from the chemicals.
Try the following. Boost and maintain the Free Chlorine level at 10 PPM. Drop the pH to 7.2-7.3. Add SUN Algaecide 60. Add SUN Algae Preventor to function as a wetting agent to defeat the water repellency. Use the brush on the surface. Keep filter running. Keep chlorine level high until the condition is eliminated.
Let's hope this works!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Alan
Mustard Algae (6/23/98)
Q:
We have tried everything our local pool chemical supplier has suggested to rid the mustard algae in our pool. It's still there!! Do you have any suggestions?
L.G. - Claxton, GA
A:
Here are methods of dealing with mustard algae:
Add SUN or Swim-Free Copper Algaecide as per label. Keep free chlorine level over 3 PPM for at least 24 hours. Brush walls frequently and run filter continuously.
Add Swim-Free Yellow Clear as per label, in place of the copper algaecide and follow other instructions as above. Make sure the pH is maintained in 7.2-7.6 range. Make sure the stabilizer level is not over 150 PPM.
Increase the quantities of chlorine being added to allow for higher water temperatures and other factors leading up to the development of the algae problem.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan
Eliminating Green Algae (5/18/98)
Q:
My first question is I have a pool, I just got it. I've backwashed the filter, I've added about 3 pounds of shock, the chlorine level is about 2.0 and the PH is 7.6 which is normal. The pool still gets a lot of green algae. About four days later after I clean the pool its the same. The chlorine level is high. Is it the filter? Do I need to clean it? It's a DE filter. My second question is about a different pool. The water is always cloudy, but the water that is put in the pool is underground water (natural). Is that normal?
M.G. - Los Fresnos, TX
A:
A filter will not eliminate algae all by itself. You need to be testing for FREE CHLORINE.
Keep adding shock until you get a FREE CHLORINE reading of at least 3 PPM, that lasts through the night. Keep adding shock as frequently as necessary to achieve that level. Keep pH in 7.2-7.6 range and run the filter continuously. After the water clears, resume normal operation and maintain a FREE CHLORINE level of 1-2 PPM. Adding an algaecide is useful in helping control algae. Adding a product such as Swim-Free Algalator or SUN Tru-Blue will help clear up the water even faster.
Well water can frequently cause many problems, depending upon its mineral content. Have your friend bring a sample of the well water and the pool water into a local pool professional. A water analysis will help shed light on possible problems.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Yellow/Mustard Color Deposits On Pool (5/12/98)
Q:
What do you recommend for Yellow & Mustard Color Deposits on my Inground Gunite Pool?
W.W. - Lakeland, FL
A:
What has worked for me on a consistent basis is Swim-Free Yellow Clear.
Follow the directions, shock to raise the Free Chlorine level and brush the walls to speed things up. Filter for 24 hours and that should do it.
Using Swim-Free Black Algaecide or SUN Algaecide 60, thereafter, should help minimize the possibility of a recurrence.
You might also check the following:
Is the stabilizer too high?
Is the pH in range?
Are you running the filter long enough?
Are you maintaining Free Chlorine at 1-2 PPM?
Can you improve the circulation in the affected areas?
I hope this information will prove useful.
Sincerely,
Alan
Black Algae In A Marcite Pool (5/6/98)
Q:
How do you kill black algae in a marcite pool? Is there anything that will keep it from coming back?
J.J. - Winter Haven, FL
A:
Black algae can be a problem. Are you positive that's what it is???????
If not, try the following to prove the point. Put some pH minus in a sock and place on the black algae. If nothing happens it is most likely algae.
SUN Algaecide 60 can be used to control Black Algae. To help the killing action add an initial dose of SUN Algae Preventor. This will serve as a wetting agent and increase the susceptibility of the algae to chemical action. Boost the FREE CHLORINE level to at least 10 PPM and kept it there until the condition improves. Make sure the pH is 7.2-7.6. Filter continuously and direct the returns into the most affected areas. Localized algae on the bottom can be treated with by placing a trichlor tablet on the spot. Brush the area to speed the clean up.
To prevent a reoccurrence, use SUN Algaecide 60 on a maintenance basis.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Pink Algae / Crystals & Grit (4/13/98)
Q:
UPON OPENING POOL FOR SUMMER FOUND VERY VERY HEAVY PINK ALGAE. IT HAS FORMED CRYSTALS ON POOL LINER. POOL IS INGROUND 15000 GAL 18 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS GREAT AN AMOUNT OF ALGAE BEFORE. HELP. SIDES OF POOL FEEL GRITTY.
J.H. - South Holland, IL
A:
Let's blame it on El Nino. Did you have an unusually warm winter and spring?
The pink deposits can be a pink algal or bacterial slime. Use shock treatment and algaecide to deal with it. Make sure you add enough shock to maintain a free chlorine level from day to day.
Crystals are not necessarily part of the same problem. Minerals such as calcium can precipitate during the winter . Have your water tested for calcium. There are ways to dissolve and manage calcium problems, if that is the cause. Gritty deposits are indicative of scale formation. If you have been using a calcium hypochlorite product, you might consider switching to alternative chlorines and shock products.
I hope this information will prove helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan |
