GREEN ALGAE

     Green algae is a free floating or wall-clinging algae that grows very quickly. It can range in severity from patches on the walls or bottom to turning the entire pool a deep green cast. Green algae can also clog filters, and create surface damage if left unchecked. In the early stages algae can look like cloudy water. As the algae "plants" grow the water turns green. ***This is just an extra information tool. Please call us with your questions or bring in a water sample for testing. We are here to help you.***

What causes algae to grow?

1. LOW SANITIZER (Chlorine, Bromine, SoftSwim B or C)

· This can happen easily, especially in a chlorine pool. You leave for a few days on a trip and come home to find that the pool has turned cloudy or green. Maybe someone was watching the pool and wasn't sure what to add. Or maybe you just got busy and hadn't looked at the pool in a couple days. Somewhere along the line the chlorine tablets dissolved and more weren't added.

· Chlorinator problems also can cause a low sanitizer problem leading to algae. After a while chlorine residual can build up in the tubing and clog the chlorinator. A sign of the is when you fill the chlorinator with tablets, turn it on, but nothing is coming out. The chlorine doesn't dissolve or dissolves only a little.

· Rain puts a demand on the sanitizer. When it rains, not only does it dilute your pool water lowering the sanitizer level, but it also adds "undesirables" to the water. The sanitizer attacks these contaminants - using up the sanitizer. It is always a good idea to shock the pool with Burn Out 35 (SoftSwim C in SoftSwim pools) after a rain.

· Heavy swimmer load also causes problems. It is always a good idea to shock the pool after having a lot of people over to swim. Extra swimmers add "undesirables" to the water and use up your sanitizer. If you do not shock, many times the next day the water will be really cloudy. Then it doesn't take long for the algae to start.

2. POOR CIRCULATION

· Check the pressure of the water coming out of the jets. If the water isn't coming out with much force - come see us. We can help you figure out what is causing the problem. Circulation is important because if the water isn't moving then chlorine is not getting to some areas of the pool forming dead spots where algae can start.

· How much do you run your filter? The filter should be run a minimum of 9 hours a day -- 24 hours a day is the best. If you do turn the filter off, turn it off at night. Always run the pump during daylight hours and when there are swimmers in the pool.

· Direct your jets downward. The ripple on the surface is pretty but for best results the jets need to circulate the water down to the bottom of the pool to prevent dead spots where algae can start.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL

· Some things are beyond our control. Rain, wind, and other things dump things in the pool.

· Some years there are weird strains of algae that are chlorine resistant and just appear. Come in and see us. We probably have seen the same thing in other pools and can help you .

How do I prevent algae?

1. Use a good BioGuard algae preventer. This may not seem like an important step and you may want to save some money. The thing to remember is that it is much less expensive to prevent algae from growing in the first place. Algae is green - the color of money and is expensive to clear up algae once it starts.
1. Chlorine Pools: Use Back Up or Algae All 60 (see photo to the right)
2. SoftSwim Pools: Use SoftSwim A (see photo to the right)
2. Keep the sanitizer levels within the OK range. This is just as important as the algae preventer. The algae preventer makes the water wetter and helps the sanitizer get into small place where algae can start growing.

Help! I have algae. What do I do?

     At Austin Pools, we have a selection of great algae killing products available. Below, are a couple of our best algae treatments. Bring in a water sample for a FREE customized analysis with instructions on the best treatment for your pool.

BANISH CHLORINE TREATMENT

How to use:

• If possible, bring your water in for a FREE water analysis
• Add 1 lb. BurnOut/10,000 gal. or 1 lb. Burn Out 35/ 6,000 gal.
• Allow to circulate 1 hr.
• With filter running, add 1 bottle of Banish/20,000 gal.
• Continuously circulate pool water for the next 24 hrs.
• Afterwards, thoroughly brush pool surfaces.
• In cases of persistent algae, repeat brushing and application after 2-4 days.
• A filter aid may be used 3 days after treatment for enhanced filter efficiency.

SPOT KILL CHLORINE TREATMENT

How to use:

• If possible, bring your water in for a FREE water analysis
• Brush all surface-clinging algae - paying special attention to pool steps, ladder steps and around skimmer lights
• Broadcast Spot Kill directly into the water in the deep end of the pool with with pump running. Use 2 pounds of Spot Kill per 10,000 gallons for medium to heavy growth and 1 pound of Spot Kill per 10,000 gallons for light algae growth
• To prevent possible damage to pool surface, use a pool brush to disperse any granules that may have settled to the bottom of the pool
• Brush any remaining algae and clean/backwash the filter.
• If algae is still visible, repeat treatment (give the product time to work, if the chlorine reading is low and algae is still present in 24-48 hrs. then repeat the treatment)

ALGAE TREATMENT FOR SOFTSWIM POOLS

For Light to Moderate Green Algae (you can see the bottom & the water has a green tint)

• If possible, bring in a water sample for a FREE water analysis.
• Chemically clean the filter with SoftSwim Filter Cleaner
• Brush and vacuum the pool.
• Add 2 oz. of SoftSwim A per 5,000 gallons. Wait 1 hour.
• Add 1 gallon of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons. Wait 2 hours.
• Top up the B residual to 50 ppm. Filter continuously for 24-48 hours.
• Backwash the filter.
• After you have treated the water and let it filter for 24-48 hours, we recommend that you bring in another water sample. If you test at home, be sure to test the SoftSwim C level. If it is low you will need to add more "C". Clearing the pool may use up all the "C" that you have added and more may be needed to keep problems from reoccurring.

For Extensive Green Algae (water is green and cloudy - you probably cannot see the bottom)

• If possible, bring in a water sample for a FREE water analysis.
• Add SoftSwim Filter Aid and Flocculent according to the label instructions for floccing.
• After vacuuming the pool for the floccing procedure, chemically clean the filter with SoftSwim Filter Cleaner.
• With the pump running, add 1 qt. of SoftSwim A per 25,000 gallons. (Check with us before adding this much A - if you add too much the pool will foam.) Circulate 2 hours.
• Add 2 gallons of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons. Circulate 2-3 hours.
• Top up the SoftSwim B to 50 ppm.
• Filter continuously for 24-48 hours, then backwash the filter. If the algae has not cleared in 48 hours, repeat this procedure.
• After you have treated the water and let it filter for 24-48 hours, we recommend that you bring in another water sample. If you test at home, be sure to test the SoftSwim C level. If it is low you will need to add more "C". Clearing the pool may use up all the "C" that you have added and more may be needed to keep problems from reoccurring.
• Do not swim until the SoftSwim C level has dropped below 90 ppm.