With estimates of over a million different species of Algae in the world, is it any wonder that we occasionally find them growing in our swimming pools? We know that pools are constantly being bombarded by algae from water, land and air, so controlling algae can sometimes be a challenge. Let’s explore ways to prevent or slow an algae outbreak and what you can do if one should occur in your Pool.
Preventing algae outbreaks can be done in several simple ways:
The most important practice to prevent algae outbreaks is the proper use of an USEPA registered sanitizer. The goal of a sanitizer is to provide continuous protection to the pool against bacteria and algae. Even allowing sanitizer levels to drop for a few short hours enables certain fast-growing algae species to find a hospitable spot in the pool and begin to grow.
Many algae species develop defense mechanisms once established in the pool which can require higher levels of sanitizer or special products or tactics to remove them from the pool. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in this scenario, it is absolutely the case.
- Maintain the appropriate amount of sanitizer at all times.
- Ensure water circulation and pump run times are adequate and distribute the sanitizer and other maintenance chemicals to all parts of the pool.
- Keep manageable nutrients and minerals low in your pool water.
- Run your filtration system long enough to turn over all the water in your pool through the filter.
- Make sure that your pool is clean of dirt and debris and that your filtration system is clean.
- Use a good algaecide to help prevent outbreaks.
A common practice in naturally-occurring bodies of water outside of pools to help maintain water quality and avoid issues such as algae is the monitoring and removal, if possible, of certain nutrients commonly consumed by algae. Algae, like other living organisms, need certain foods to grow. The USEPA lists nitrogen and phosphorous as the “major limiting” nutrients for algae. In properly maintained pools, most nitrogenous compounds eventually break down into nitrate which, realistically, can’t be removed from pools. Certain phosphorous-containing compounds can be very helpful in maintaining pool water since they protect against scale formation and help remove metals that can lead to staining on pool surfaces. The final form for phosphorous-containing compounds in pool water is orthophosphate. These are very different from nitrate as orthophosphate can be chemically changed and physically removed from pool water. Orthophosphates are common in the environment and constantly enter the water from a variety of sources. The goal to eliminate the orthophosphate from pool water is one that is unattainable for an extended length of time. It is possible to remove high levels of orthophosphate which can lead to water quality problems and then maintain lower amounts of orthophosphate with a product designed for that application. A tactical approach to orthophosphate management could include using a product such as Natural Chemistry’s PhosFree or Phosfree Max to reduce high orthophosphate levels followed by a multi-functional maintenance product on a weekly basis to maintain low orthophosphate in the pool. Natural Chemistry’s Pool Perfect MAX with Phosfree is high performance weekly maintenance product designed to remove low levels of orthophosphate while adding other key components to maintain excellent water quality throughout the pool season.
Don’t Forget about Filtration (and Circulation)
When it comes to maintaining great water quality and providing crystal clear results, the filtration and circulation systems of the pool are the unsung heroes. These two often overlooked components are critical in the success of chemical applications, removing unwanted contaminants, troubleshooting exercises, and also play a crucial role in preventing algae. Turnover rate is the term used to describe how long it takes for the volume of water of the pool to pass through the filtration system. The amount of time needed is based on the pump speed and run time of the pool pump. We recommend running your pool pump at least 10-12 hours per day (running it 24/7 is even better). It’s also important to run the pump during daytime hours to allow for proper circulation and filtration when the sun is out and bathers are present. The emergence of variable speed pumps makes the required turnover rate a little more difficult to determine as most run through different cycles by default. Pool owners should keep this in mind and adjust run speeds as required to maintain the necessary level of sanitizer in the pool if they’re using a chlorinator to erosion feed chlorine tablets. A pro tip in this scenario is to increase the pump speed at night.
Bottom line, the goal is to push as much water through the filter as possible while being as energy efficient as possible. Poor circulation can lead to certain areas of the pool becoming stagnant and chemical applications may not be as effective in these areas. This is problematic as dirt and debris provide a perfect home and can lead to certain types of algae growth if proper sanitizer levels are not maintained in those areas. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on keeping your filter clean and use a good filter cleaner like Natural Chemistry Filter Perfect designed for your filter type to maintain optimum performance. When filters become heavily soiled, circulation can be dramatically impacted and flow rates noticeably different with decreased water flow out of the returns.
Physical Cleaning of Pools
Although a therapeutic retreat for some, routine vacuuming and brushing of pool surfaces are important tasks that often go ignored for long periods of time which can lead to bigger problems with water quality. Dead spots, areas with no or very poor circulation, and pool walls are common places where signs of an algae outbreak or biofilm accumulations first appear. Vacuuming and brushing are two physical tasks of pool maintenance that can help disrupt these areas of poor circulation, dislodge accumulations, and bring treatment chemicals into the area to prevent an algae outbreak. Without proper physical maintenance the dirt and debris that accumulates over time can present an issue. Dirt, debris, and even sand can be brought into the body of the pool from wind, the feet of pool users, pets that enjoy a swim, or even the sand from cracked or loose laterals in a sand filter getting in the pool. There are some types of algae, particularly diatoms, that use the silica found in dirt and debris as building blocks to help build colonies in your pool. They often take on the appearance of and are misdiagnosed as mustard algae. Once these colonies start, it becomes much harder to kill them. Regular vacuuming can help to eliminate this nutrient source.
An Ounce of Prevention
In most pools, aside from maintaining an appropriate sanitizer level, using a good preventative algaecide as a weekly maintenance is the best way to ensure your pool is protected from algae. This is especially true if you live in an area prone to algae or have a pool with high bather loads where sometimes the sanitizer needs time to build back up after use. Be sure to choose an algaecide that works independently from the sanitizer and does not interfere with the ability to maintain sanitizer residuals. Also look for algaecide that does not negatively impact water quality. Some algaecides can be effective but may lead to issues like staining or water discoloration if label instructions are not followed properly. Lastly, look for an algaecide that can be effective against many types of algae. Since the algae type in the pool may or may not be the one that you think it is, a good combination of actives can be a useful tool against many types of algae. Additionally, algae outbreaks are often more than one type of algae. A multi-active product can help treat various algae types and allow for a much faster turnaround of the pool. Whichever algaecide you use, ensure that it has a USEPA-registration number on the label. This will ensure that when used as directed, it has been properly tested against the algae types listed on the label and shown to be effective as well as safe to use. Pro Series Dual-Action Algaecide is a multi-functional dual-active algaecide that contains both a copper-based active ingredient and a polymeric algaecide that kills many different types of algae. It is a non-staining, non-foaming algaecide that can be used as a preventative algaecide or to remediate even the most stubborn types of algae. Pool Professionals should always have this tool in their arsenal to treat and prevent algae.
Algaecides can work in various ways to control algae. The more popular choices are quats, polyquats and copper. These work in different ways to disrupt cell membranes as well as enzymatic functioning of the cell, leading to cell death and cell wall rupturing. Some algae, even within the same classification, can be controlled differently with different algaecides, so if one treatment doesn’t seem to work, try a different approach. What worked one time, may not necessarily work every time, since the type of algae you have may be different (although they may visually look the same), or the conditions in the pool could be different. A multi-active approach may be the key to treating more algae types to, in turn, have a more successful swimming season.
About BioLab/ KIK Consumer Products
Based in Lawrenceville, GA., Bio-Lab, Inc, the Pool Division of KIK Consumer Products Company, has been supplying water treatment products for recreational applications on a global basis for over 60 years. Bio-Lab PRO brands include BioGuard®, Natural Chemistry®, SpaGuard®, SeaKlear®, Pro Series®, ProGuard®, Coral Seas®, AquaPill®, & Spa Essentials®.
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