How To Kill Algae In Pool?
Algae in your pool can be a big issue when you want to entertain or enjoy a nice swim on a beautiful day. This guide will show how to get rid of pool algae and how to kill algae in your pool to ensure no ongoing issues.
On how to get rid of pool algae, there are a few different options you can pursue. The first step is to remove algae build-up from pool surfaces using an abrasive pad or scrub brush, cleaning the filter if there is a filter system present. Another way to kill algae building up in your pool is to shock the water with a large amount of chlorine to kill any algae that may be currently forming in the water.
For shocking the water system there are a few different forms of chlorine to choose from. Using chlorine tablets is easier for measuring and takes less thought to use but can add additional calcium to the water which can result in additional build-up within the filter system. Liquid chlorine is another option, with the benefit of choosing liquid is that it will not add extra calcium to the water.
When choosing to shock the system, there are a few rules to follow to ensure your pool is safe and ready to enjoy. The first rule being that regardless of which form of chlorine you are using, you must run the pump system for 12-24 hours to guarantee the shock treatment is properly mixed into the water system. You will know the shock treatment is working by the water turning cloudy or blue; these are signs that the algae are dying and ready to be fully removed. After this has happened, it is recommended to drain the water from the pool and use a shop vacuum or other wet use vacuum system to clean the remaining debris.
After cleaning the remnants of the algae from the pool and refilling with water, it is recommended to check and clean the water filter to safeguard the life of your filter. If there are still additional algae left behind after the first shock treatment, you can reapply the treatment until your water is to your standards.
After you have finished killing all the algae in your pool there are a couple of things that can be done to assist in the upkeep and cleanliness of your pool. One big thing that needs to be addressed after finishing with a shock treatment is to monitor the pH levels of your pool to avoid any skin irritation after swimming. The proper pH levels that you should make sure your water is maintaining are (7.2-7.6), which can be checked with a variety of testing methods including test strips, liquid test kits, and digital testers. Test strips are dipped into the water and matched to a color chart to show PPM (Parts per Million) of shock treatment solution in the water. Liquid test kits work very similar to test strips, but instead of placing the strip into the water to determine pH level, a small amount of water is placed into a vial, and a similar color chart system is usually used. Digital testers are the easiest to use as most will give very detailed readings quicker than conventional test kits.