Treating and Preventing Yellow / Green Algae in Swimming Pools in Florida

 As the summer rolls on along in Sarasota, Florida - we’ve all become acclimated to the daily late afternoon rainstorms. As much as our lawns and plants need the water after sitting in the hot summer sun all morning long, our pools do not. As we discussed previously about how the heavy rains can throw off your pool’s chemistry, now is the time when it can be critically important to keep on top of the situation. Some rain may be very acidic, therefore affecting both the alkaline levels and the pH of your pool water. When heavy rains fall that have a pH of about 5.0, it can result in lowering the pH balance of your pool – which should always stay at a balance of between of 7.4 to 7.6. It is when this happens that some Central Florida and Orlando area residents may experience  GREEN swimming pool “syndrome”. If not taken care of right away or immediately, the pool algae can get out of control very, very quickly. The following are the reasons why your pool turns green and what you can do to get it back to being swim-ready and sparkling.

Why Do Pools Turn Green?

As more rainwater fills your swimming pool, the chlorine levels become diluted. When the chlorine in a pool goes below 1 ppm (parts per million), algae has the perfect scenario to start growing. Once the algae grows it will begin to change color, which is when you’ll first begin to notice that greenish tinge in the pool water. The moment you see that greenish color, you need to take action immediately, taking the necessary measures to correctly treat your pool before it gets out of control. Many times, simply super-chlorinating, or “shocking” your pool is enough to kill and get rid of the algae. To shock your pool for regular upkeep, you’ll typically need one pound of granular chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water. If your past this point and dealing with an algae infestation, it’s going to require a lot more work and is beyond the point of just regular prevention.

The 3 Colors You’ll See and What They Mean

• Teal – at this phase of color, the algae is at its least problematic stage. In order to remove the teal color from your pool, you’ll need two (2) pounds of chlorine shock for every 10,000 gallons of water that is in your pool.
• Green (swamp-like) – seeing a swamp-like color in your pool is a slightly bigger issue, but luckily still fixable. To remedy a green, swampy color, requires three (3) pounds of chlorine shock for every 10,000 gallons of water that your pool holds.
• Black – if you’re seeing black, it’s the most serious of algae colors. Black pools require more work and you’ll need at least four (4) pounds of shock for every 10,000 gallons of water. You may also want to consider calling in a professional pool maintenance company.

How to Shock Your Pool

Before anything else, the first thing you need to do is test the chemicals in the pool water to make sure that the pH level is between 7.4 and 7.6 and that the alkalinity is between 100ppm and 150ppm. Shocking your swimming pool should be done at night, and you will also need to keep the pool’s filter running the entire time. After you’ve tested the chemicals you:

1. Pour the bag of calcium hypo-chloride (shock) into a bucket of pool water.
2. Pour the contents of the bucket into the water around the perimeter of the pool.
3. Leave your pool filter running and see what the pool looks like in the morning. If it’s still discolored, then you’ll need to repeat the process with a second shock treatment.

Stay in Control! Prevention Is Key:

You may notice that after you shock your pool, the green color will go away, but your pool will look cloudy. This means that the chlorine is doing its job, but you need to continue to keep the filter running for 24 hours at this point. It’s also important to keep an eye on the filter pressure to prevent a rise. If you see that the pressure has risen by approximately 20-25%, you’ll then also need to clean or backwash the filter. After the cloudiness fully clears up, you can then reduce the filter’s run time down to only 15 hours a day.

Make sure you keep testing the pools chemicals to make sure the pH and alkalinity are within the correct range (pH between 7.4 and 7.6; alkalinity between 100 ppm and 150 ppm) and that the chlorine level is staying between 1 ppm and 3 ppm. You’ll need to continue balancing your pool’s water weekly afterwards, until everything is back to normal. At this point you can once again resume running the filter for 10-12 hours a day. You may additionally want to consider adding an algaecide to your pool weekly to keep it sparkling for the rest of the summer.

How To Kill & Remove Black Algae from Your Swimming Pool

Black Algae is a nasty form of algae which pretty much forms inside the small pours of the finish of your pool and the area exposed to the pool water it forms almost like a ‘shield’ to protect it from most algaecides and chlorine / shock.

To treat, kill, get rid of and remove Black Algae from your pool. Follow the following steps:

STEP 1: Get a stainless steel brush (found online at AquaSupercenter.com or at most pool stores). This will look like your normal pool brush but instead of nylon brush bristles.... there will be metal wires as brush bristles. This is very important as you need to brush the pool hard with a Steel Brush to destroy and get rid of the what I call ‘shield’ the black algae forms.

STEP 2: Turn off your pool pump and give your pool about 30 minutes for the water to ‘settle’ to a standstill after you just brushed the black algae hard. This is important as the next step requires the pool water to be 100% still.

STEP 3: With the water still; you should have Black Algae Destroyer (some chemical which is for black algae which will be granular and will have the words “TriChlor” in the active ingredient). The goal is to sprinkle the black algae chemical (TriChlor) directly over the black algae. The goal is for the little granular of TriChlor to sink to the bottom of the pool directly on and around the black algae. Since you just brushed off the ‘shield’ protecting the black algae. What this step does is pretty much eat up the black algae. TriChlor is the strongest form of Chlorine there is. So by sprinkling a bunch of black algaecide/TriChlor at the bottom where the black algae is, the chlorine concentration level in that immediate area will be STRONGER than ever before; it will literally eat up the black algae - kill it and destroy it. 

STEP 4: Wait 24 hours with your pool off so the black algae chemical/TriChlor has time to work... You can then start your pump. Give it a few days then do your normal water test and do not assume you will need Chlorine, there is a good chance your chlorine level is high due to the black algae treatment.

Thats it! Your pool should be beautiful after that.

Costs:

• Stainless Steel Pool Brush = $14 - $34
• Black Algaecide/TriChlor = $12 - $25
• Total Cost: $25 - $59
• Total Labor Time: 2 Hours

Six Easy Steps To Remove Algae From Your Pool

When it comes to removing algae from your pool there are a number of different ways that you cannot only remove severe algae but also ensure that it never gets out of control from then on. Algae can be a huge hassle especially when you get it for the first time. If you really need to get rid of algae and make sure that it doesn't return you will need to follow the following tips.

1.       Maintain your circulation system: maintaining your pump, the filters and the skimmers is extremely important. When your filter becomes clogged and you don't make efforts to back washer clean your filter it's only a matter of time before algae will form. Your pump also needs to be running at least 6-8 hours a day when you have swimmers in your pool. Without the pump running at least this length of time you were going to get algae.

2.       Shock your pool weekly: one of the best ways that you can eliminate spores of algae is to use regular sanitizer and to shock your pool weekly.

3.       Monitor all the chemical levels in your pool: whether you are using an automatic or floating sanitizer device, you need to always monitor the levels in your pool to make sure that algae spores can't form. All the levels should be kept correct levels or you are going to consistently see algae in the pool.

4.       Use pool brushes: the walls and floors of your pool will often start to form algae. If you aren't regularly scrubbing your pool with the proper brush you'll start to see algae growth forming at the edges above the water or even on the bottom of the pool. It can be difficult for the circulation system to eliminate these spores so you will need to put in a little elbow grease yourself.

5.       Get algaecide: in the worst possible case you can use algaecide to help algae spores from developing into blooms. This is an easy-to-use chemical that is really only to be used if you are having real difficulty controlling the spores.

6.       Consider getting a vacuum for your pool: one of the automatic vacuums can help you clean all of the surfaces in your pool with ease and prevent algae from building up. You can also get a manual vacuum which will both scrub and remove any debris from the pool.

What Are The Real Differences Between Sand, Cartridge and DE Pool Filters?

The pool construction is often described as the foundation of every pool, but as we all know a simple foundation is not enough to keep things functioning. This is where the pool equipment comes into play. As we are all aware the water in the pool must circulate through the filtration system in order to remove any traces of impurities (dirt, bodily fluids etc.). During a normal operation of the filter system, the water from the pool flows through one or more floor drains located on the bottom of the pool and through one or more skimmers that draw water from the surface of the pool. In this way the water is kept constantly clean. Pool filters are responsible for the mechanical removal of impurities from the water in the pool and they are an essential part of each pool. Without pool filters it is almost impossible to keep the water in a good condition for more than two weeks. With the advance of technology several different types of pool filters are now available on the market and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Most of the pool filters are sand filters. These filters have a large tank which is usually filled with quartz sand that can attract dirt in the best way because of its specific texture. Pool filters are mostly made of materials such fiberglass, reinforced polyester etc. During the process of filtration, the dirty water from the pool comes in through the inlet pipe filter, through which the dirty water flows evenly over the entire surface of the filter. While gravity pulls the water down through the sand to the bottom of the filter, sand collects tiny particles of dirt and attracts litter. The filtered water flows out through the outlet of the pipeline which is located at the bottom of the tank. After a while, the accumulated dirt and residues of impurities in the sand slow down the water flow. The pressure of the filter gives us a clear signal that there is an internal blockage in the filter caused by the dirt and that it is time to clean the filter. In order to do that, a person who takes care of the pool should set the 6-way valve on the filter from filter mode to flush mode.

Instead of sand filter, some pool system use cartridge filters. In such filters dirty water is contained in a cartridge that is made from corrugated paper or polyester fabric. In order to clean this system, simply remove the cartridge and rinse it with a regular water hose.  Cartridges usually last for more than 5 months.

According to many experts the so-called DE pool filters are the most efficient filters today. They use a pressure gauge to signify a need for back-washing. With the help of a DE powder the pool is thoroughly cleaned and even microscopic particles are eliminated from the water.

Which of these types of pool filters is best for your depends on your requirements. If you are looking for a lasting solution you can choose the sand filter. If you want to save some money then you should take cartridge filter into consideration. Finally, if you are looking for the safest and most efficient filter you should purchase Diatomaceous Earth (DE) pool filter.  

The Homeowners Guide to Buying A Pool Heater

A pool heater is an absolutely crucial requirement if you plan on enjoying your pool for the longest possible amount of time through a season. Pool heaters do cost a little more energy each year but being able to enjoy your pool for just a few extra weeks or potentially even a month later into the season makes it well worth it. It's also extremely nice to have more temperature control for the cleanliness of your pool and for making it a hospitable environment when the weather doesn't cooperate. Here the top tips for buying a pool heater the first time.

1.       Pick the type that best suits you: there are several different options available when you purchase your first pool heater. You can consider the use of a solar pool heater for example, an electric heat pump, and gas pool heaters. Ultimately the choice is up to you but each one has its own distinct advantages.

2.       Ask around and see with the neighbors are using: quite often the type of pool heater has a lot to do with the climate that you are living in. Solar heaters might not work as well in certain conditions and you may want to opt for something closer to a gas heater especially if you want to enjoy a greater level of temperature control.

3.       Consider the cost savings: Solar heating is the cheapest being it runs of when the sun is out and heating the water in the panels, electric heaters can get quite expensive because they draw power from your home. When the price of gas goes up, the cost of a gas heater can raise. Ultimately, these are all options you need to weigh before you select the right heater for your pool.

4.       Consider the cost savings: if you have a large pool of a solar array might be substantially more expensive because of the area that the heater will have to cover. Ultimately some forms of heaters might be less expensive to heat larger areas whereas other types of heaters might make more sense for smaller pools and climates.

When in doubt it's much easier to consult a professional at your local pool supply store. You may also want to speak directly to the company that installed your pool to see if they have any recommendations for heating their models. 

Five Top Reasons to Buy A Variable Speed Pool Pump

A variable speed pool pump offers a number of distinct advantages over a single or two speed pool pump.  For pool owners that are interested in maximum cost savings you absolutely need to consider getting a variable speed pool pump and for the following reasons.

1.       The high-quality magnet motor: the motor that comes in variable speed pool pumps is roughly the same type of motor that you would find in a reliable electric car. As a result of its platform which is built on efficiency and reliability you can get access to quite possibly the most efficient and reliable pumps in the pool industry. A motor failure with a pump is absolutely catastrophic and can cause a lot of lost time and damage to your pool with a quality motor you can avoid these inefficiencies and downtime substantially.

2.       Changes in flow rate: the ability to adjust the flow rate into your pump can help you maintain the circulation in your pool and ensure that you can actually keep it cleaner. A basic rule of thumb in pool circulation is that slower is better and this is because components have less of a chance of experiencing any friction or wear when pumps are kept running slower.

3.       Amazing efficiency benefits: because the pump can run at a slower rate or at the exact rate that it needs to keep your pool circulated and clean you can see amazing benefits when it comes to energy efficiency and for the amount of your own personal energy that you have to put into cleaning your pool and maintaining it.

4.       Much quieter: variable speed pumps are much quieter because they have to vibrate far less than other pumps.

5.       More advanced diagnostics: simple pumps just don't have any type of diagnostic or safety systems involved. With a variable speed pump you are always covered for emergencies with several failsafe’s put into place to reduce the chances of pieces falling into your pool for example or the pump staying off for too long. 

The Upside to Salt Chlorination versus Chlorine Chlorination

Water disinfection is a term used to describe the process of removal or deconstruction of pathogenic microorganisms. During this disinfection and sterilization of the water, the microorganisms lose their colloid balance which results in their elimination. Pools are places where many microorganisms dwell and procreate. Some of them are harmless, but some of them can be potentially very dangerous for the health of both children and adults because they can lead to infections and diseases. If they are not eliminated, they can easily transfer from one person to another. Organic matter makes the water in the pool look dirty. There are many ways in which people can disinfect pool water and one of the most popular is the process of chlorination.

Chlorination is a reliable, cost-affordable and very efficient method of water disinfection. This process has a destructive effect on cells found in all organisms especially in microorganisms because they can’t stand even small quantities of chlorine. The success of this process depends on many factors such as: the type of chlorination, the biological characteristics of the microorganisms, water temperature, pH value of the water and few other factors. Very often people use two well-known methods – salt chlorination and chlorine. Although they are both efficient the truth is that salt chlorination comes with much more advantages compare to the use of chlorine alone.

Salt chlorination is a process that modifies conventional table salt into sodium chloride. With a system like this you can expect lesser amount of chlorine in the water, but this doesn't mean that the effects of purification and disinfection of the pool will be reduced. In addition, this method uses special chemicals that are not harmful for humans, but very efficient when it comes to elimination of microorganisms and algae. At the same time they provide ideal balance of the pH value in the pool which is extremely important for those who care about their skin health and health in general. Furthermore, water that uses salt chlorination is much softer for your skin compared to chlorine. Chlorine can cause negative effects in people who have sensitive eyes, hair and skin. Even if you use a pool which uses a system like this on a daily basis you won’t have problems with irritations and itching.

As we have mentioned before the level of chemicals in pools like these is very low and people don’t need to keep and use hazardous chemicals close to their pools. In other words, salt chlorination is an eco-friendly process. Even the smell that usually appears with the use of chlorine will be gone and you won’t have to inhale that unpleasant odor.

Pool maintenance can become a real nightmare in case you use chlorine, but this is not the case with salt chlorination. Pools using this chlorination are able to clean most of the water on their own. Users don’t have to clean the pools constantly and occasional check and cleaning of the water sanitation is more than enough to make sure that everything is working in a perfect order.