WHAT CAUSES ALGAE PROBLEMS?
Every pool owner has,at one time or another, done battle with the occasional algae bloom.
Algae spores constantly enter the pool, brought in by wind, rain or even contaminated swimsuits
or equipment. When conditions are right, an algae bloom can occur seemingly overnight. These
conditions include out of balance water, warm temperatures, sunlight and presence of nitrates
and/or carbon dioxide. Of course, a lack of proper circulation, filtration and sanitation may be
the primary cause of the algae. The best process is one of elimination.
Algae is a living aquatic creature that multiplies rapidly on warm, sunny days. Containing
chlorophyll, algae utilize photosynthesis to grow. That is, they take in carbon dioxide and expend
oxygen as a byproduct.
What problems can Algae cause?
The first noticeable problem is that no one seems to want to go swimming. The second problem
is that it requires work and effort and money to rid the water completely of algae. It is therefore
best to use preventative chemicals and techniques, described later. Algae can cloud and color
the water, making rescue attempts difficult and reducing depth perception of a diver. Algae itself
is not harmful to swimmers, bur pools with algae may also harbor to pathogens like E-coli
bacteria.
In addition to clogging up sanitation pathways in the water, algae also clogs up the pores in a
filter, decreasing filter effectiveness and requiring more backwashing or medium replacement.
Algae creates a chlorine demand in the water for itsself, actually consuming chlorine that should
be working on other contaminants. Algae are kind of like weeds in your garden. Unsightly,
unwanted space takers that create more work for the gardener, and sap up nutrients and
resources from the flora we wish to grow.
What types of algae there?
There are over 12,000 known varieties of algae! In the pool business we avoid all of the
complication by referring to algae by the color they exhibit.
hazy condition in the water from a lack of proper filtration and/or sanitation. It is frequently found
free floating in the water, although it also will cling to the walls. It reduces water clarity and is
thereby distinguished from severe copper precipitation, which will impart a clear,green color to
the water. Varieties of green algae also appear as 'spots" on surfaces, particulary rough areas,
or places where circulation is low. They also show up as "sheets"', where large wall sections, or
even the entire pool, is coated in green slime....UGH!
it is sheet forming, and can be difficult to eradicate completely. Once begun, a pool owner could
spend the entire season fighting yellow algae; reinfection is common. This variety is resistant to
normal chlorine levels and must be dealt with firmly. Hit it hard!
it,it's there for life". This is not entirely accurate, but the difficulty in eradication is due to the
strong roots and protective layers over top of the black algae plant. Black algae will appear as
dark black or blue/green spots, usually the size of a pencil eraser tip. Thier roots extend into the
plaster or tile grout, and unless the roots are destroyed completely, a new head will grow back in
the same place. The heads also contain protective layers to keep cell destroying chemicals from
entering the organism. Like yellow algae, black strains can bloom even in the presence of
normal sanitizing levels and proper filtration. I was once told that this form of algae commonly
enters a pool inside the swimsuit of a person who's recently been to the ocean.
crevices. It is slow to spread and rare that it will bloom over an entire pool.
Every pool owner has,at one time or another, done battle with the occasional algae bloom.
Algae spores constantly enter the pool, brought in by wind, rain or even contaminated swimsuits
or equipment. When conditions are right, an algae bloom can occur seemingly overnight. These
conditions include out of balance water, warm temperatures, sunlight and presence of nitrates
and/or carbon dioxide. Of course, a lack of proper circulation, filtration and sanitation may be
the primary cause of the algae. The best process is one of elimination.
Algae is a living aquatic creature that multiplies rapidly on warm, sunny days. Containing
chlorophyll, algae utilize photosynthesis to grow. That is, they take in carbon dioxide and expend
oxygen as a byproduct.
What problems can Algae cause?
The first noticeable problem is that no one seems to want to go swimming. The second problem
is that it requires work and effort and money to rid the water completely of algae. It is therefore
best to use preventative chemicals and techniques, described later. Algae can cloud and color
the water, making rescue attempts difficult and reducing depth perception of a diver. Algae itself
is not harmful to swimmers, bur pools with algae may also harbor to pathogens like E-coli
bacteria.
In addition to clogging up sanitation pathways in the water, algae also clogs up the pores in a
filter, decreasing filter effectiveness and requiring more backwashing or medium replacement.
Algae creates a chlorine demand in the water for itsself, actually consuming chlorine that should
be working on other contaminants. Algae are kind of like weeds in your garden. Unsightly,
unwanted space takers that create more work for the gardener, and sap up nutrients and
resources from the flora we wish to grow.
What types of algae there?
There are over 12,000 known varieties of algae! In the pool business we avoid all of the
complication by referring to algae by the color they exhibit.
- Green Algae:
hazy condition in the water from a lack of proper filtration and/or sanitation. It is frequently found
free floating in the water, although it also will cling to the walls. It reduces water clarity and is
thereby distinguished from severe copper precipitation, which will impart a clear,green color to
the water. Varieties of green algae also appear as 'spots" on surfaces, particulary rough areas,
or places where circulation is low. They also show up as "sheets"', where large wall sections, or
even the entire pool, is coated in green slime....UGH!
- Yellow Algae:
it is sheet forming, and can be difficult to eradicate completely. Once begun, a pool owner could
spend the entire season fighting yellow algae; reinfection is common. This variety is resistant to
normal chlorine levels and must be dealt with firmly. Hit it hard!
- Black Algae:
it,it's there for life". This is not entirely accurate, but the difficulty in eradication is due to the
strong roots and protective layers over top of the black algae plant. Black algae will appear as
dark black or blue/green spots, usually the size of a pencil eraser tip. Thier roots extend into the
plaster or tile grout, and unless the roots are destroyed completely, a new head will grow back in
the same place. The heads also contain protective layers to keep cell destroying chemicals from
entering the organism. Like yellow algae, black strains can bloom even in the presence of
normal sanitizing levels and proper filtration. I was once told that this form of algae commonly
enters a pool inside the swimsuit of a person who's recently been to the ocean.
- Pink Algae:
crevices. It is slow to spread and rare that it will bloom over an entire pool.
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