Microsoft Word - Algae_GreenWater.docx

ALGAE

Algae are microscopic plant life. There are many types of algae, yellow,

green, brown, or black; thousands of species of algae exist. Green algae are

the most common type and the easiest to get rid of. Green algae can

appear in patches or create an all-over cloudy green shade of water.

Mustard algae prefer shady areas like pool step corners, along the walls

and under

the pool lights, ladders or other fixtures. Black algae often appear as dark colored

spots on the

walls or floor. Pink slimy algae are actually not algae but a water mold or fungus

bacteria, often appearing as streaks or spots in corners and crevices

see the following page

Prevention

In all cases it is much easier and better to prevent the growth of algae than to cure it. To

revent algae from growing in the first place requires regular pool maintenance, proper

circulation and filtration; keeping the pH and free chlorine residual or other sanitizer at the

proper level, keeping the pool clean and vacuumed, weekly shocking and adding a

maintenance algaecide or specialty chemical to help prevent algae growth. While

proper

sanitizer levels will prevent most algae growth there are some strains that are resistant

chlorine and other sanitizers.

Treatment

Remove solar cover and discontinue use during treatment of active algae growth.

Check pH and adjust if necessary.

Shock pool according to the treatment recommended in your sanitizer program. Chlorine shock

is recommended over non-chlorine shock for algae treatment and BAQUACIL users should only

use Baquacil Oxidizer, CDX and Algaecide according to label directions.

Add the algaecide in your sanitizer program, according to label directions.

Increase filter run time to 24 hours if possible to increase circulation.

The following day, brush and vacuum affected areas.

Check filter pressure gauge and backwash if necessary.

Continue to maintain your sanitizer level at the high side of normal

(free chlorine of 3.0)

during treatment for algae infestation.

Continue to brush walls and vacuum, clean filter as necessary and add

maintenance

algaecide until pool is clear of all signs of visible algae.

Black Algae

Some types of algae, especially black algae, are very stubborn and require special treatment.

Black algae form a protective coating which makes it highly impervious to shock treatments

and algaecide. The best treatment for black algae is to scrub the affected areas or spots prior

to chemical treatment so the shock and algaecide will have an opportunity to penetrate the

algae spores.

Mustard Algae

This type of algae brushes off very easily, in fact too easily. It is NOT, however, an easy form

of algae to get rid of. When brushing the mustard algae tend to just spread throughout the

pool. There are a variety of algaecides made specifically to combat mustard algae- use the

type recommended by your pool professional along with aggressively shocking your pool, as

mustard algae is resistant to normal chlorine levels.

After fighting a stubborn algae problem such as black or mustard algae it is recommended

that

you thoroughly clean your filter media, brushes, vacuum head and hoses. If algae

spores

remain in any of these areas they can re-infest the pool.