How to Prevent Algae Growth in My Pool?

We’ve mentioned before that one of the most asked questions we get from our customers is “Why is my pool green?” We have summarised the most common reasons in the previous guide.

1. Little or no active chlorine in the pool.

2. pH reading too high.

3. Not enough circulation/filtration time

These common reasons might contribute to algae growth in the water and make your pool turn green. Algae can grow rapidly, particularly in hot weather, which is why it can surprise you overnight during the warmer months. This generally comes down to an imbalance or lack of chlorine in the water. So, it’s important to check your chlorine levels frequently to save you from any nasty surprises. With the right chemicals and a few simple steps, it's not difficult to bring your pool water back to clear.

Here’s what you will need:

*Please note that the qty of each chemical is dependent on pool size and water test results. Go to Manual Cleaning and Pool & Spa Chemicals for more product information.

Follow these steps:

1. Scoop out as much algae + debris as possible. Clear skimmer box and pump baskets.

2. Correct Total Alkalinity to 80-120ppm using BARACUDA Buffer. Circulate water for 2 hours.

3. Decrease the water’s pH level. Use test strips to check pH levels and use Dry Acidto bring the pH level down to 7.2 to 7.6 range. Circulate water again for 2 hours after adding BARACUDA Dry Acid. Recheck pH after 2hours and add more Dry Acid if needed.

4. Bring chlorine up to 10ppm or over. You can do this by giving your pool a shock (super chlorination) dose with products like BARACUDA Ultra Shockor Baracuda Xtreme shock. This shock treatment will quickly kill any organic substances such as algae in your pool. Follow the instructions on the pack for the correct dosage.

5. AddBARACUDA Pool Algaecidewith dosage according to instructions on the label. Avoid use on pools with water features to prevent foaming.

6. Circulate water and scrub the pool walls with a pool brush to dislodge algae. Keep water circulating and wait 24 hours. When algae is dead, it will change from green to grey.

7. Add BARACUDA Liquid Flocculan to help combine and settle the floating dead algae to the bottom of the pool. (water will need to be circulated for 2 hours and then left to settle for 24-48hrs (turn off the pump). After settling, the waste can be vacuumed off the bottom of the pool.

*Caution: Flocculants can be time-consuming and labour intensive to use. Use a clarifier instead if algae is not severe.

8. Use vacuum hose, extendable pole and vacuum hose to remove. Fill the hose with pool water then connect a hose to the skimmer box. Set sand or glass filter to vacuum to waste before turning on the pump. For cartridge filters, remove the cartridge before vacuuming to waste (if possible). This will allow the vacuumed bits to be pushed out instead of going back into the pool. Alternatively, you could cap the end of the water-filled vacuum hose and drag it out of the pool to a lower level than the pool to use gravity as a vacuum.

9. If there are stains from the algae on the pool surface, use BARACUDA All-Purpose Stain Remover to lift them.

10. Retest and balance your pool water. Take your water sample to the pool shop for a complete water test. Buy a bottle ofSmart Dose 6in1 test strips for home testing as well. 

11. Wait until chlorine naturally comes back down to 1-3ppm before swimming. (Pump still needs to run daily for 6-8hours, but turn off the chlorinator if chlorine is high).

Warnings:

1. Do not add any chemicals to your pool unless you know what you are doing. Adding the wrong chemicals will create additional problems.

2. When mixing pool chemicals with water, use caution. ALWAYS ADD THE CHEMICALS TO THE WATER.

3. Never mix different chemicals together.

Some Useful Tips:

1. Since algae feed on phosphates, it is advisable to test your pool for phosphates and treat them with the appropriate dosage of Phosphate Remover to prevent algae from reoccurring.

2. Remove leaves and other floating matter from the pool regularly. It's much easier to remove floating debris before it settles on the bottom.

3. Wear old clothes when using pool chemicals. If chlorine spills or drips on clothing, it may remove some colour.

4. You can take a water sample to your local pool store on a regular basis and get a complete analysis. This can help you catch pool water problems early.

Discover the Perfect Baracuda Solution for Your Pool!

Ready to upgrade your pool care experience? Explore our wide range of Baracuda products to find the ideal match for your swimming pool needs. Find out where you can get Baracuda.

Watch this video from Mitre10 to 

Remember, a good habit to get into is keeping a calendar for routine water testing and maintenance so that you can ensure you have the right water balance!