Algae formation is becoming a common problem for pool owners across the country. Is pool algae harmful to humans? Not necessarily. But in excess, it creates a breeding ground for more dangerous bacteria that can harm humans. This is why removing and preventing swimming pool algae is imperative.
Types Of Algae
There are numerous kinds of algae. You need to know the kind of algae in your pool so that you can remove it successfully and prevent future algae growth. Here are the types of algae, their dangers, and how to clean and prevent them from building up.
1. Green Algae
Green algae in pool is the most common. It appears in yellow-green, blue-green, and other shades of green. Found floating on the pool water or at the surface, the cause for slippery and stained floors and surfaces, the green algae messes with the water chemical balance. It also clogs filters and pool pumps. Also, if your clear pool water tests negative for metal, it has these algae present.
2. Mustard Or Yellow Algae
Consistent with green algae, mustard algae forms in bigger clumps in the shaded areas of the pool. Look behind ladders and underwater slides for any powdered or dusty appearance on your floors and walls.
You will also find these brown algae in pools near the decorative stone forms that don't allow sunlight to hit the pool or on the shaded stairs' vertical faces. Take everything out of the pool when removing yellow algae because it comes back quickly since it sticks to everything.
3. Blue-Green Or Black Algae
This type of algae is known to be a survivor. Hence, it is the worst to have since it is the most difficult to remove altogether. If you notice small black dots in shaded, cracked, crevices, and imperfect areas in your pool floor and surfaces, this is an early sign of black algae. Be especially keen if you have pool skimmers since shocking and using algaecides will not eliminate black algae.
4. Pink Algae
This is not algae but bacteria snowballing in expanding colonies. It has similar properties with algae, but it requires minimal treatment to remove in pools, albeit still hard to clear. Pink algae are common on coping surfaces like pool tile, stairs, and steps.
Look for its signs around corners, lights, and ladders – areas close to the pool bottom surface and in the direction that is opposite to sunlight. Prevention is the best method to stop these algae from infecting your pool.
Is Algae In Swimming Pools Dangerous?
Is pool algae harmful to humans? Found in rivers and lakes, it is generally not dangerous. It is, in fact, common for people to farm algae and harvest them as health supplements. It is ugly and annoying since algae can cause different health issues.
Why? Significant amounts of algae create a breeding ground for harmful microbes that affect the health of swimmers. When left untreated, the algae also inhabit other harmful microorganisms. But preventing algae is easy, as shown below.
How To Prevent Algae In Swimming Pools
Swimming in pool with algae doesn't have to be a concern with proper maintenance and balance. All you need to do is take the steps highlighted below:
1. Clean Filters Regularly
Your pool water filtration system probably has several filters like the water pump filter, sand filter, and skinner basket. Even though algae in pool safe to swim, they can plug the filters, allowing small amounts of water to pass through.
This makes it easy for the algae to create a host environment on the pool walls and surfaces. It becomes worse if the algae pores attach to the filters. Hence, clean your filters regularly and remember to clean the sand that goes in the sand filter.
2. Balance Pool Water pH Level
Algae in pool grow at pH levels of 6.5 to 12.5. Lowering pH in your pool naturally can help with prevention of algae build-up by maintaining the other water balance levels.
This also lets the chlorine to work effectively at preventing the growth of algae. Optimally, maintain the pH level in your pool between 7.4 and 7.6 but remember to monitor your pool water pH level constantly.
3. Brush Pool Regularly
Can you swim in a pool with algae? Yes, but before you do, ensure you have the floor, steps, and walls in your pool thoroughly brushed at least once every week. This breaks up any present algae, which in turn makes the chlorine and other sanitizers more effective. Attend to areas with shade, cracks, or crevices thoroughly.
4. Maintain Chlorine Level At 2 ppm
Even though chlorine effectively prevents algae, a pool with high chlorine levels is not optimal for swimming. So test your pool chlorine levels regularly and before you use the pool, especially in summer, to ensure they are at 2ppm.
This is the perfect amount of chlorine since it is healthy for swimmers but still effective in killing algae spores. It will keep your pool safe before your regular algaecides and other sanitizer treatments.
5. Keep Fertilizers Away From Pool Water
Nitrogen in fertilizers is food for algae. Therefore, ensure no fertilizer from your lawn or garden is draining into your pool, especially during rainy seasons. If you have to pour fertilizer near your pool, use pool covering first.
6. Use Chlorinator Or A Salt-chlorine Generator
Both the salt-chlorine generator and the chlorinator will maintain the chlorine levels in the pool water. They also kill algae pores before they form algae. Besides, the two will reduce the time you take to treat your pool with chlorine.
Tips To Keep Algae Away From Your Pool
Is pool algae harmful to humans? It depends on the amount, but the best thing to do is to prevent its occurrence. Do this by shocking the pool in the late afternoons, brush your pool with algaecides, and drain water from pool to get rid of algae in severe cases. Be patient during the treatment process, and remember to keep your pool covered in windy or rainy weather.
These steps will help you to prevent and treat your algae pool problems. Balance and sanitize your water, and you are ready for a swim.
