Ways to Prevent Algae in your Pool
Getting Algae constantly in your pool each
week can be very frustrating. Below are several methods to prevent algae from
forming in your pool and all of these methods are tested and proven to work.
BORATES:
Adding Borates to
your pool to achieve a level of 30-50 ppm has many benefits. I have a series of
videos on Borates and highly recommend adding Borates to your pool. I have
added Borates to my pool and couldn't be happier. The results are well worth
it.
Here are the proven benefits of having a Borate level of 30-50
ppm:
Lower Chlorine usage: The Borate helps reduce chlorine usage
by eliminating Carbon Dioxide and also by keeping the pH stable. Chlorine last
longer when the pH is right at 7.6-7.8. When the chlorine is in the ideal range
the killing element in chlorine the HOCI is at the most balanced percentage so
the chlorine in a pool with a pH of 7.4 is 30% more effective than in a pool
with a pH of 8.0. This is a big factor in creating the safest swim environment
and the borates will keep the pH much more stable and in turn make the chlorine
much more effective.
pH is stable: The pH won't change much in a pool with Borate
in it. So, if you have a Salt Water Pool this is a must since the pH tends to
rise dramatically. In fact, in a Salt Water Pool the pH can rise to over 8.4
very rapidly. You will find yourself putting tons of acid in each week just to
keep the pH below 7.8. With borates in the pool, the pH will be stable and easy
to control. It is a must for a pool with
a Salt Water Generator. It also will keep your salt cell from building up
calcium rapidly since is sequesters the Calcium in the water. This means the
salt cell will remain clean and your salt system will run much more
efficiently.
Water is more sparkling: The Borate is more reflective so
when the Sun hits the pool the water will really sparkle. The fact that it
sequesters calcium will give the water an added clarity and you will notice the
sparkle is almost blinding. The difference is very marked and noticeable and it
is a good bonus benefit of borates.
Softer and less irritating water: The water feels softer and
doesn't burn your eyes. It also will keep your skin and hair hydrated so after
swimming your skin won't be as dried out. Borax has been used for a very long
time as a softener for laundry. You will find it in the laundry aisle and it
makes sense that it will also make the water feel softer and prevent dry skin.
Less Algae growth: Boric Acid is a known Biostat. This
prevents the algae cell from forming and multiplying. Thus, a pool with a
Borate level between 30-50 ppm will prevent algae growth. Since borate prevents
the algae cell from growing, algae blooms will be a thing of the past. No more
algaecides or shocking the pool, algae just won’t grow in your pool any longer.
POOL RX:
PoolRx is a simple way to keep your pool algae free all
season long. It is also effective in cleaning a green pool and a side benefit
of the product is that you will use less chlorine in the pool all season
long. In this Podcast, I talk to Fred
Schweer VP of Sales at PoolRx Worldwide about using PoolRx in the beginning of
the season and to clean up a green pool. He also offers tips to pool service
professionals on how to market and sell PoolRx to the customers on your route.
PoolRx
is a Mineral Technology does two very simple things when used in your pool
or spa; it eliminates all algae and will allow you to use less chlorine during
the pool season. The active ingredient is Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate
(chelated).
What
Chelated means is that the metals in the PoolRx have been bonded to form two
coordinated bonds similar to what Metal Sequestering Agents do. This means that
the Metal Ions will remain in the PoolRx unit with no metal ions being
introduced into the pool or spa water. PoolRx is Chelated so the metal ions
stay within the PoolRx unit itself.
Make
sure that you choose the right size PoolRX unit so that the treatment will be
effective. You can place it either in your skimmer or pump basket. When you
first insert the unit run your pool for 3-4 hours. Then run it the normal cycle
to get at least one full cycle of water from the pool, into the filter and back
into the pool again. The PoolRx unit should last 4-6 months.
PoolRx
eliminates all algae fast. Even microalgae that you can't see but uses up the
chlorine in your pool.
SODIUM
BROMIDE:
Any
Sodium Bromide product will work effectively in treating Yellow Algae. As long
as the active ingredient is Sodium Bromide it will work in clearing up the
algae.
Bring
the chlorine up to what we refer to as "Blazing High" if it is at
zero ppm. One common
mistake
is not starting with a good chlorine level. Sodium Bromide will convert the
chlorine to
Bromine
and the Sun will also burn some off as the Bromine Molecule does not bond with
the Cyanuric Acid molecule (conditioner does not protect Bromine) so even more
chlorine will burn off. And some of the chlorine will be "eaten" or
used up by the Yellow Algae itself.
So,
it is very important to have a good chlorine level first 5-10 ppm and to also
add a gallon of liquid chlorine or Clorox bleach with each 4 oz. capful of
Sodium Bromide. Otherwise, you might have an even worse problem.
But
if you follow the procedure in the video below the yellow mustard algae will be
destroyed and you can use a maintenance dose to prevent it from returning -
about 1 oz.
per
10,000 gallons. I use Sodium Bromide almost exclusively on my route and week to
week it is the most effective way to treat algae.
ALGI-BAN FOR BLACK ALGAE:
Black algae can be tough to treat and get rid of as the roots
extend into the plaster and even if you keep high chlorine levels in the pool
the black algae can still persist. It doesn't help that the heads of the black
algae also offer a protective film that keeps the chlorine from killing it.
The most effective treatment in a white plaster pool or older
color plaster pool is with granular Trichlor which is the same chemical found
in the 3” tablets but in granular form. A popular brand is HASA Algi-Ban.
You would aggressively brush the heads off the black algae and then sprinkle
the granular Trichlor even on the pool bottom, covering as many black algae as
possible.
Unhook any automatic cleaner and turn the system off for 24
hours if possible. The chlorine level will be really high so no swimming for at
least a week or more.
By the next day the black algae should be gone. I typically
use a 10 lb bucket in a large pool (20,000 gallons) with moderate to severe
black algae. If you pool us smaller you can use less. Careful not to let it
pool up in a pile in one area as it could stain the plaster.
Visit
my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/
YouTube
Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html
– A list of all of my videos.
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