Algae are simple, non-flowering plant organisms that grow on pool surfaces. It does not have roots, stems or leaves but it reproduces in a primitive way. It contains chlorophyll. The study of algae and its types is called algology. How are you affected by above ground pool algae? If you see any dark mold looking substance on the side or the surface of the pool, then it means you have become victim to algae.
Types of Algae
Here are three types of above ground pool algae:
1. Green Algae
2. Black Algae
3. Mustard Algae
Green Algae
It is the most typical of all the algae found on the poolside or moist places. Green Algae moves from top to bottom and covers the entire area of the pool surface. And it can occur due to lack of disinfectants, filtration, pool maintenance, or care. When you begin to see green algae, you need to check your chemical levels to make sure nothing is off.
Luckily, green algae are easy to get it out of your pool. To get rid of green algae, first of all, adding chlorine shock or algaecide can do the trick. Follow the instructions of the chlorine shock and algaecide based on your pool. Also, scrub the walls and floor of your pool with a brush.
After that check the chemical levels of your water. Free chlorine levels should be between 2 to 4ppm. The PH value should be from 7.2 to 7.6. Stabilizer level should be within range. Everything influences your pool water being able to kill off algae. You may need to add the chemicals that you need. Keep on running the pool filter. When the green algae reach its death point, its color begins to change losing its greenish color and turned into white or gray.
Black Algae
Black algae, considered the hardest to get rid of, are also a common type of algae. Unlike green algae, black algae have very deep roots to help it embed into the surface and grow quickly. These algae have many layers to protect itself from chlorine. And black algae comes in your pool via bathing suits, toys, or floats that needed washing after being in the ocean. They are in the form of dark black spots.
Removing black algae take a lot of elbow grease. You will need to brush, brush, brush the pool’s surface. Remember, black algae are not killed off quickly with normal chlorine levels. Your pool needs a triple shock, so follow the instructions carefully. After the shock, brush again because these algae have thick roots that embed into the pool surface.
Mustard Algae
Mustard algae, most common in Sunbelt areas, are a combination of two colors yellow-green to brown. Mustard algae are chlorine resistant algae, too. They like to grow in areas of your pool that does not get a lot of sunlight. Most often, these algae can be mistaken for dirt, sand, stains or pollen in your pool. Mustard algae do not have a slimy feel like green algae.
And mustard algae are difficult to get out of your pool with standard chlorine level or algaecide. Oddly enough, mustard can live outside the pool water and attach itself to equipment, toys, floats and bathing suits. Making this some very stubborn algae. Clean everything from bathing suits, toys, furniture, equipment and so on.
It can also live inside your filter, so it best not to use a vacuum that uses your filtration system. The best way is to use a manual vacuum cleaner and turn your filter to waste not backwash when cleaning. Not allowing the algae to grow inside the filtration system.
Test all your chemical levels and adjust appropriately. Brush the pool surface properly, and you will also need to triple shock the pool. Remember always to follow the shock instructions based on your pool. And like black algae, brush the surface again good after the triple shock.
Causes
There are many causes of the formation of above-ground pool algae
1. Algae may cause due to insufficient pool chemical maintenance. Regularly check pool chemical levels to save your pool from all these problems.
2. It may also cause due to the inappropriate cleaning material. Always make sure that the brushes you are using for the pool are clean.
3. Another reason may be the existence of dirt and debris in the pool. Use a vacuum to remove dirt and dust from the pool time to time so that it may not cause any problem in future.
4. Clean bathing suits, toys, floats and more that have been in the ocean to prevent black algae.
Remedy
1. Add chlorine shock to water if already have algae. Must triple shock if you have black or mustard algae.
2. Keep pool clean from dirt and debris
2. Free Chlorine needs to be between 2 to 4 ppm.
3. PH level should be from 7.2 to 7.6.
4. Calcium hardness should be between the range of 200 to 350 ppm.
5. Alkalinity should be in the range of 80 to 120 ppm.
6. Stabilizer between 50 to 80 ppm.
A good website to use to know how much pool chemistry needed for your above ground pool is https://poolchemicalcalculator.com.
