Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

We have a very large above ground swimming pool. Does anyone know how to get them clean after algae has gotten in? We have used Shock It and chlorine and clarifier. Still green. Thanks.

Sharyl

Answers:

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

We have a smaller blow-up style pool that is about 3 1/2 ft deep and when we first got it we never had a problem. It was in our yard on some sand. The kids kept getting sand in the pool so we moved it to a grassy area and now it gets algae.

Last week I added about 1-2 c. bleach and have not had any trouble since. (07/13/2004)

By Tawnda

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

There is something that is used to control algae in ponds called "Blue Stone". We have used this in our pool for years. We buy it at our local feed and seed store. It is very cheap and is sold by the pound. (07/13/2004)

By Cynthia

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

We had green algae in our pool this summer. It is real easy to treat. Use your pool brush to brush off any visible algae. Then double shock your pool. Treat with super algaecide. We have not had this problem since treating it. (07/20/2004)

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

Try pool algaecide. You can get it at Bi-Mart or Fred Meyers. (05/29/2005)

By Clayton

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

We used a Bioguard product called Erase. It worked wonders when all else failed. Take a water sample to be tested and see if you can find a Bioguard dealer. (07/28/2005)

By Lynne

pool algecide

I didn't find this product to be very effective at all in the dosage that is recommended. I have had same problems with green algae in above ground pool. Had water tested and was told to use *buffer* then add extra chlorine to what is recommended. Then to add extra chlorine on a regular basis. Problem has been somewhat fixed. Hope this helps a little. It was a pool dealer place in Qld that recommended this to me. (02/22/2006)

By Suz

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

Types of algae

Algae in swimming pools is referred to by it color.

• green algae - by far the most common and relatively easy to treat
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• yellow/ mustard algae - troublesome to treat, but also relatively susceptible to treatment
• black algae - can be a nightmare to get rid of, especially in plastered pools
• pink algae - not an algae at all, but is a fungus called Paecilomyces lilacinus that causes slimy white, pink, or grey colonies

Preventing pool algae:

Maintaining proper water balance and minimum sanitizer levels will ensure that any algae spores entering the pool water cannot take hold. Most pools use chlorine, which should be kept at a minimum level of 1.0ppm. Using the Pool Wizard or any similar mineral system may allow you to keep the free chlorine level at 0.5ppm without the risk of developing an algae problem.

Destroying pool algae:
Once algae has been allowed to bloom, it is quite tiresome to destroy. The common steps to get rid of an algae problem are:

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1. Shock treat the pool. If you are using chlorine, aim for at least 10ppm free chlorine (10 times the recommended minimum level).
2. Circulate the water round the clock if possible.
3. Brush the pool and vacuum.
4. Add a commercial algaecide prepared for the algae you have (green, mustard or black) according to the instructions.
5. Repeat brushing and vacuuming daily if possible. Add more chlorine if the level falls below 5ppm.
6. Clean or backwash your filter regularly.

The Pool Wizard and pool algae problems:

The Pool Wizard was developed to destroy algae and bacteria, and prevent their reoccurrence in swimming pool water. The 24/7 protection the minerals claim to provide may help prevent algae and bacteria from multiplying in pool water even when chlorine levels hit zero for a couple of days. With the Pool Wizard, algae may become something you find in that health supplement you take every morning, not something you see in your pool. (08/26/2006)

By Alex xD

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

Green in pools that refuses to go away:

1. Have the water tested at your pool shop, especially for the stabilizer count/% in the water.
   If stabilizer level is high you can super shock it 3Xs the normal shock amount with nonstabilized chlorine or the best way is to add new water to the pool. Sometimes the water is just plain stale.
   
2. Be sure you are shocking the pool with the proper amount of chlorine for your pool of nonstabilzed chlorine. Most pool shop people don't understand the stabilizer level and how to reach the break point.
3. Shock the pool after a party or heavy swim use, or accidents happen.
4. Keep testing the water, balanced pool water is less likely to have problems.
   POINT: Key is that the balancing of the water is kept up.

Pink Algae - It is the worst, it forms a shell over itself. You have to brush it each time with a hard bristle brush and hit it with PH Minus to kill it after brushing.

(05/23/2007)

By Christie

Algae in Above Ground Swimming Pools

Every year when I open I have this problem. Usually I put in four times the maintenance dose of Algaecide and three times the shock amount. After three of these treatments on successive days I usually get control back of the water. Back flush frequently and vacuum the dead algae. I have a Polaris robot and it puts the dead algae back in suspension where the filter can remove it. I use a clarifier which helps to clump the algae so that the filter can take it out.

I have not done it since copper sulphate is a poison, but the most effective algaecide is nothing but a very dilute copper sulphate solution. You buy this at a tractor supply or a farm co-op, usually in 25 lb bags. Landscapers also carry it to keep algae out of ponds and fountains. You could put a small amount in a sock and suspend it in the pool. I would check the mixture concentration in the algaecide and mix my own as well. (09/07/2008)

By Daddio