What is algae?

Algae are small plants that propagate by air-borne spores. They enter swimming pools and quickly turn the water green. When conditions favor their growth, they can cause black and/or green spots on pool walls. Heavy rain, intense sunlight, and presence of nitrogenous material all contribute to algae bloom – as the rapid growth of algae is called. Sometimes algae bloom results in a sharp rise in pH, as the algae consume carbon dioxide in the pool water. If algae bloom is present, super chlorination should be used. Then an algaecide will control it, and prevent its reoccurrence. The best insurance against algae? Maintain a free chlorine residual in the pool at all times. An effective way to do this is to sanitize with stabilized pool chlorinating concentrates, and add algaecide according to the directions on the label.

As bather loads peak in the summer heat, it is that time of the year again when sparkling clear water can become clouded and unsanitary. What is a pool operator to do? Cloudy water is an indication that the disinfection and filtration systems are not keeping up with the load being placed on them by the number of bathers using the pool. Cloudy water is not just unappealing to the bather. It can also be a health hazard by inducing potential spread of illnesses and decreasing the lifeguards’ ability to see submerged drowning victims. There are many reasons water can become cloudy. Let’s break down the causes, then review the remedies of unsightly and potentially hazardous water.

In this prevention advisor we will discuss:

1. Cloudy Water Common Causes
2. Combating the Cloudiness
3. Water Clarifiers
4. Algae

Common Causes for Cloudy Water

High bather loads with improper filtration, insufficient water circulation or flow rate, and poor water chemistry are the usual culprits that cause cloudy water. A pool’s turnover rate should not exceed the maximum time required by your state’s swimming pool codes, usually 6 or 8 hours. It is important that the circulation system runs 24/7.

Cloudiness is the result of particles that are too tiny to be filtered or removed from the water through oxidation. Environmental factors contribute to the existence of these particles, such as wind, rain, vegetation, and even the pool users themselves with dry skin flakes, bacteria, cosmetics, and residues of the skin.

Combating the Cloudiness

The first step in regaining control of the water’s transparency is to check the filtration system. Sometimes, resolving the issue can be as easy as cleaning the filter and re-establishing the proper flow and turnover rates. Products are also available that are designed to clean specific types of filter media.

Proper water balance is important to help prevent cloudy water. High alkalinity and pH levels can cause cloudy water. Using the saturation index, make the necessary adjustments to bring the water back into harmony.

Water Clarifiers

The majority of water clarifiers are in liquid form, but there are solid granular forms available. Depending on the directions, most clarifiers will require the product to be diluted or poured over the surface of the water. Make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply any chemicals.

Organic Water Clarifiers

Synthetic polyelectrolytes or polymeric coagulants are the most common organic clarifiers. They usually have a positive charge called cationic clarifiers, which directly combat the negative electrical charges within the particles that cause cloudy water.

Inorganic Water Clarifiers (Flocculants)

A common inorganic water clarifier is aluminum sulfate, known as alum. It forms a gelatinous mass that traps the microscopic suspended particles. As larger and larger particles are formed, they sink to the bottom of the pool. The circulation system must operate for a period of time to let the alum and particles to properly combine to create these larger particles. The circulation flow will then be suspended for 12-24 hours, this process is called flocculation. When the flocculated particles collect on the floor of the pool, the operator will then vacuum the bottom of the pool.

Algae

Algae are one-celled plants that become a major concern for operators. Algae comes in several forms: green, yellow, or black. If left unchecked, algae growth can contaminate a clean and clear pool in about the span of a day.

Green algae - by far the most common and easily controlled.
Black algae - usually grow on pool walls in areas of poor circulation, like deep corners.
Yellow algae (aka mustard) – difficult to control and often treated with specifically formulated algicides.

Maintaining proper disinfectant and pH levels will help prevent the growth of algae. Algae growth is supported with environmental conditions such as light and temperature. Unfortunately, swimming pools provide all the nutrients needed to grow algae: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous. These nutrients come from the water itself because of the hydrogen, oxygen and total alkalinity, which contains carbon and oxygen. Skin fragments, dead bacteria, cosmetics, some swimming pool treatment chemicals, chemical cleaners, soils, fertilizers, bird dropping, and dead instincts also contain nitrogen and phosphorous-like contaminants.

Inadequate filtration will often lead to algae growth.

Water clarity depends on daily circulation and filtration. Anything that impedes water flow from the pool to the filter — clogged skimmer baskets, a dirty or damaged filter, a defective pump motor, or a failure to run the pump for an adequate amount of time each day — will encourage algae growth. The first warning sign of a filtration problem is hazy or cloudy water. Left unchecked, cloudy water can quickly lead to a full-fledged algae bloom.

Algae can develop when little or no chlorine is present.

Sunlight, rainfall, temperature, number of swimmers and frequency of pool use affect the rate of chlorine loss. The lower the chlorine level, the more likely algae will bloom. Super-chlorination, coupled with the application of conditioner or stabilizer designed to shield residual chlorine from the effects of heat and sunlight, helps ensure that there is always sufficient chlorine in the pool. Spas, which are often heated to temperatures well above 100 degrees, are especially susceptible to algae growth.

Algae loves a dirty pool!

Leaves and dirt left on the bottom of the pool for an extended period of time, not only promotes algae but also causes pool staining. The longer you allow leaves and other debris to sit on your pool floor, the more likely that you’ll see algae, and staining. In a dirty pool, algae will continue to bloom, even when the water chemistry is properly balanced.

To prevent algae from growing within your pool water, you’ll need to keep it properly sanitized. If you fail to sanitize your water on a regular basis, there’s a good chance algae will start to grow in the shallower areas of the pool that receive the highest amount of sunlight throughout the day. However, sometimes even the most well kept pools and spas will become subject to the growth of algae.

There are three types of algae that are most common for home owners: yellow algae, black algae, and green algae.

Black algae is the worst form of algae that a pool owner can contend with. It is dark blue-green in color. Early signs of this type of algae are the appearance of black, ‘dirt like’ specks on the bottom of the pool. It will grow rather slowly; the black specks at the bottom of the pool will expand at a very slow rate. However, once the tiny black dots become a little bit larger, the algae will grow quite rapidly and expand along the bottom of your pool.

Black algae will not only expand across the bottom of your pool, it will also grow deep into the plaster and concrete. If left unchecked, black algae can cause severe structural damage to your pool. The character traits that make black algae the most difficult to contend with are that it can grow and thrive at any depth of water and can thrive in low light conditions. As with other types of algae, it can be prevented through the use of algicides and sanitizers.

Green algae is the most common form of pool algae. It appears first as a green slime on the pool and spa surface areas. While the visible algae can be easily removed with a pool brush, you must properly sanitize the water to keep it from growing back immediately – the only way to stop green algae altogether is to use chemicals. This algae grows extremely fast and must be killed as quickly as possible otherwise it will overrun your pool in a very short period of time.

Yellow algae grows much slower than green algae but is more difficult to remove. Similar to green algae, you can remove the surface algae with a brush and expose the under layer of algae to the effects of chlorine and algicides. The most effective method for eliminating yellow algae is to perform superchlorination.

Most types of algae can be brushed off smooth-surface pools rather easily (such as fiberglass). Plaster pools are more prone to stubborn algae as the growth will work its way into cracks and crevices – if you have a plaster pool, it’s very important that you maintain an anti-algae regime! Black algae in particular is the most difficult to remove from plaster pools as it will burrow into crevices and cracks more speedily than other types of algae. It will also form a hard shell around its exterior to protect itself.

If your pool becomes overrun with algae and you want to attempt to clean it without hiring a professional, you can try superchlorination (also known as ‘shocking your pool water’). By adding excessive amounts of sanitizer into your pool water, you can sometimes kill off stubborn algae and bacteria. If all else fails, the best method for eliminating algae from your pool is to hire a certified pool operator!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6102381

Unfortunately, black algae can grow even if sanitizer levels are within their best range, because of the protective layer each head has which prevents chemicals from entering its pores. It will appear as black, or blueish/green, and generally more common in plaster or concrete pools.

If you’re absolutely sure that you have black algae then here some steps you can take.

This method is for concrete or plaster pools. Do not attempt this treatment with vinyl pools or you will have a lot of damage. Below is another method for vinyl pools.

First you’re going to need a very stiff pool brush you can use to brush the affected areas. In addition, you will need chlorine tablets and any general purpose algaecide.

Begin by making sure your pool pump is off and brush the affected areas to get rid of as much by hand as possible.

Next, using the chlorine tablet, spot treat the areas. Once you’ve sufficiently spot treated each area, pour the all purpose algaecide over them. Let it sit overnight.

The algaecide doesn’t actually harm the black algae, it helps take away the barrier found in the heads that prevent chlorine from doing its job. So by using the algaecide your chlorine spot treatment will be more effective.

The next day, brush and vacuum all the dead algae. Repeat if necessary.

For Vinyl Pools:
Vinyl pools are much easier to deal with in regards to black algae. You’ll want to shock treat, and keep your chlorine levels at shock level while treatment is going on.

Brush treat the algae spots every day until it disappears. It may take several days as this type is very resilient, but keep at it and your problem should be solved!

Black algae in pool comes about because of poor pool maintenance. But don’t beat yourself up over it. Many pool stores and their “experts” are known for giving bad advice to keep you buying their chemicals and equipment that most of the time, you don’t really need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2788305

Algae are unsightly and a nuisance. Although they are not themselves pathogenic, they can nevertheless be dangerous. Algae are often covered with a slime layer which is slippery. and they can be a hiding place for bacteria.

Under a microscope algae resemble a tiny apartment complex. Like most plants they flourish by consuming nutrients in the water (things like perspiration, urine and other swimmer waste). They also need plenty of sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. Most types of algae won’t grow in the dark…which is why you usually find algae growing on the sunny side of the pool.

Some forms of algae actually can ingest calcium, which they can find in the water or in the walls of a plastered pool.

And then there are the kinds that float in the water. And kinds that cling to the pool’[s interior surface.

Of the more than 21,000 types of algae, only about 40 to 50 inhabit swimming pools.

No, we don’t kill all the algae. Or bacteria either. We merely control them with chlorine, for one. And with algaecides. Algae spores are just waiting for a chance to get with the program. Let your guard down, and watch them grow. Rain, dust, wind and not telling what else bring algae spores into the pool water 24 hours a day. You’ve got to be ready for them.

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.

• Green Algae – by far the most common and relatively easy to treat;
• Yellow/ Mustard Algae – troublesome to treat but also relatively susceptible to treatment;
• Black Algae – can be very difficult 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.