How do I get rid of algae in the pool?

The development of algae in water is a real nuisance. Algae or algae are multicellular organisms that reproduce very quickly (even in a few hours). Inorganic compounds present in water are used to build organic compounds that cause harmful pollutants. The most vulnerable for this are the pools located in a warm and sunny place, ie. In a place that most people consider suitable for themselves. The ideal conditions for algae growth are especially where the water is still - these "blind spots" become the focus of their development, from which they spread throughout the pool. They cause a slippery coating on the bottom and walls of the pool. They are also often responsible for the turbidity of the water and its greenish color. And then there are other ugly properties of algae, such as cyanobacteria, bacteria and fungi, which can cause allergies and skin irritation in more sensitive bathers.

Turbid water

Of course, turbidity is often caused by the fact that leaves fall into the pool and crumble, insects or blown soil and sand fall into it. They even happen that they are caused by the use of unsuitable cleaning agents or a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water. In such cases, the matter is a bit simpler. While large residues can be removed with an ordinary swimming net or using surface filters that collect floating dirt, so-called skimmers and to prevent contamination from entering the pool by covering it when the pool is not in use, microscopic particles require more advanced measures. You can try to "bypass" this by adding chemical coagulants to the water, whose particles combine with dirt particles that are too small for the filters to trap, and collect them in more easily removed clumps, but in the end you won't. be able to do without filters.

Sand filters that capture solid residues, paper filters or carbon filters located on the surface of the water, which bind contaminants, are suitable for this work. One of the most important elements we have to invest in is the filter pump. The water should filter several times a day, so it is best to choose a high-performance model. The more water it manages to filter in an hour, the less it will have to work, which means that less electricity is consumed. Unfortunately, he can't do everything either. It is also not always immediately known what causes the clouds.

Algae on the walls - carpet

The filter pump alone, no matter how effective, cannot overcome them. Water disinfection is used to remove algae, most often by chlorination. However, as long as we need chemical treatment, it is worth taking care of a few things that prevent or reduce later problems. Fresh water must be supplied to the pool at all times (at least 3 to 5% of the tank volume per week). You should also regularly take care of the cleanliness and continuously remove any contaminants before they cause the development of harmful microorganisms.

Green air raid is a common and, unfortunately, recurring problem. It does not look aesthetically pleasing, it is unpleasant to the touch and therefore discourages bathing. Therefore, when you notice its first outbreaks, you should respond immediately. If the algae have already made their raid and covered the walls and bottom of the pool with a greenish, slippery carpet, it must be treated as a normal carpet - clean. First, the sediment should be removed mechanically, using a pool cleaner, preferably an automatic one, which will do it for us. In other words, it's worth sending robots to fight the green invasion. However, if we do not have such a vacuum cleaner, it can also be done by hand, by catching larger clumps with a pool net and washing the walls of the sediment with a soft cloth or a brush with soft bristles. However, in the case of large pools, this can be a tedious job.

Chemical treatment

In addition, these are still only half the measures, because the problem of hostile algae settlement will certainly return. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to improve water circulation, for example by setting up the pumps correctly to remove the dead zones in which algae most often multiply, because there are not enough chemicals in the pool to get there. This is because green sediment means that the amount of disinfectant is too low. Only when we are sure that the water circulation is adequate is it worthwhile to carry out a chemical counterattack.

Multifunctional tablets, often chosen by pool owners, can in most cases maintain clean water in a garden pool. It is a product with universal properties - it disinfects, prevents algae growth and concentrates impurities into larger particles. In addition, it is very easy to dose. But that may not be enough to defeat the enemy.

Chemical shock!

Chemical disinfection can be performed by the chlorine or oxygen method. In the first case, active chlorine is a factor that destroys bacteria, fungi and algae. It exists as a gas in nature, so it has been combined with excipients in the form of liquids, granules or tablets to facilitate its use. It is the most popular way to treat pool water, keep it clean and prevent the growth of microorganisms. Chlorine can be added manually or automatically (the latter option is safer). Suitable reagents are readily available and easy to use, most often in the form of sodium hypochlorite. For the same purpose, you can use the electrolysis of table salt added to water, from which special equipment generates chlorine - it is a more efficient method than chlorination (similar to ozonation of water), but also, unfortunately, clearly more expensive because it requires additional generators. However, it is easiest to install dispensers on the water surface into which you load tablets or granules and which do all this work automatically. Shock disinfection may be required. It consists in the application of an increased dose of chlorinated reagents - as long as they comply with the recommendations given in their instructions for use! Choosing the right dose for the size of the tank is extremely important. Even small differences can have negative effects.

Choosing an algae philosophy

Although we may initially see the positive effects of chlorine products, they may also prove to be an emergency measure in the fight against stubborn algae. Over time, they are resistant to chlorine. Then you should reach for Alba, which can be used alone or with other chemicals. It is a liquid, low-foaming product, tasteless and odorless. It has an algaecidal effect at a concentration of 80 cm3 / m3, during an hourly contact time, at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. In case of a large number of bathers, as well as in high temperatures or rains, the dosage should be increased. It also pays to disinfect floors, mats and bathing cabins in this way, in which the opponent can lurk, ready to return to the pool at any time. On the other hand, in the case of skin and eye irritation, it is sometimes better to choose a milder way to fight microorganisms, such as active oxygen-based water disinfectants. They guarantee the same high level of hygiene as chlorine, they are effective and at the same time neutral for human skin and hair. Their popularity is growing due to the trend of facilitating disinfection methods. The choice of "algae" philosophy is therefore in our hands, depending on needs and possibilities.

It's easier to prevent than to fight

Prevention is paramount. We cannot avoid chemicals, but by constantly monitoring the situation in our pool and by combating the unwanted processes that take place in it in a timely manner, we can limit its amount. In addition to the already mentioned care for the proper circulation of pool water, the basic condition for its proper care is also the adjustment of its pH - whether the water is acidic or alkaline. Keeping its value at an optimal level has a positive effect on the action of disinfectants. The ideal pH for the skin is in the range of 7.0 - 7.4 and such a neutral (pH 7) or slightly basic (pH above 7) reaction should have water in the tank. However, this is not always the case, so pH control should be performed at least once a week. In hot weather, you should pay special attention to it, because then the pH rises even in the rain (then falls).

There are usually no "home" resources to clean the pool of deposits. This method of adding water to vitamin C is sometimes considered. The ascorbic acid contained in it restores the clarity of the water within a few minutes, but works temporarily and briefly because it does not eliminate the cause of the problem. It also has no disinfectant effect. Only the use of pool chemicals can provide real and stable results in terms of water purity and bath hygiene.