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Treating Green Algae

WHAT IS GREEN ALGAE?
Green algae if a free floating or wall-clinging algae that grows very quickly. If the water is a green color and cloudy, the problem is likely an algae bloom. 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 untreated.

PREVENTION OF GREEN ALGAE
– Follow the BioGuard® 3 Step program of your choice as outlined in your BioGuard® Pool Care Book. The following tips can also help in the prevention of green algae:
– Keep the pH at 7.4 to 7.6.
– Clean the pool regularly, skimming, brushing, vacuuming and backwashing the filter as needed.
– Keep the filter clean and water circulating properly. Keep the skimmer and hair and lint baskets clean. Check them often if you have a lot of cotton from cotton wood trees or debris blowing in the air around the pool.
– Keep the pool water under 82 degrees.
– Keep the water properly balanced.
– Anytime you let the chlorine residual fall below 1.0 ppm, it is a good idea to add a granular chlorine like Dichlor® or Burn Out® Extreme (3-4 oz. per 10,000 gallons), or Burn Out® 35 (4-5 oz. per 10,000 gallons). If you haven’t shocked for awhile, go ahead and shock (preferably at night.)
– If you or someone in your neighborhood fertilizes with any type of fertilizer, you may want to check your chlorine residual. If it is low, shock with normal amounts of shock. The fertilizer has nitrogen which creates chloramines and a deficit in chlorine.
– Always check chlorine residual after rain storms. After severe storms when chlorines are low you will need to add shock and always add a maintenance dose of algicide.

TREATMENT OF GREEN ALGAE
STEP 1: Adjust the pH to 7.4. If the pH is higher than 7.6 you can loose 20-30% chlorine efficiency.
STEP 2: Brush walls and floor, bushing disrupts outer membranes of algae so the algaecide and chlorine will get in the cell and kill the spore.
STEP 3: The product choice for green algae treatment can be chosen to complement the existing characteristics to aid you in properly establishing good water balance while killing green algae. Use Spot Kill if the calcium hardness is within balance and if the stabilizer is too low. Use Burn Out® Extreme if the calcium hardness level is low and Burn Out® 35 if the calcium hardness level is too high.
STEP 4: Let the pool circulate 24 hours continuously. If you have a cover on the pool, remove the cover until all algae is gone.
STEP 5: When you can see the bottom of the pool, vacuum to waste, this will prevent the dead algae from accumulating in the filter. Backwash filter after vacuuming and clean the filter with Kleen-It® to clean filter and remove algae and bacteria. The filter can be an excellent breeding ground for algae & bacteria.
STEP 6: If you cannot vacuum to waste, backwash filter first, add Sparkle-Up® to help trap the dead algae in the filter so it cannot pass right through the filter and go out the return. Backwash and use Kleen-It®.
STEP 7: Several treatments may be necessary depending on the amount of algae in the water.
STEP 8: Check chlorine residual often to determine when to apply another treatment of shock.
STEP 9: Do not use the pool until chlorine residual falls below 3.0 ppm.
STEP 10: If you have not been using an algicide on a regular basis, the day after you shock, add one quart of Back-Up® per 25,000 gallons of water or one quart of Algae All 60® per 10,000 gallons of water. If you have been using algicide on a regular basis, just add the maintenance dose the day after shocking.
STEP 11: Since many forms of algae may grow simultaneously, once green algae is killed, other forms may be discovered. Consult our algae sheet.
STEP 12: If initial treatment of shock did not change the color of water from cloudy to clear, you may want to look for mustard algae.

FOR CHLORINE OR BROMINE POOLS
For light or moderate growth — treat with one pound of Spot Kill® per 10,000 gallons. (White plaster pools may use Spot Kill WP®.) OR Treat with Burn Out® Extreme or Burn Out® 35, followed by 16 oz. of Erase® per 10,000 gallons of water. Follow label instructions.

For extensive growth — treat with two pounds of Spot Kill® per 10,000 gallons. (White plaster pools may use Spot Kill WP®.) OR treat with Burn Out® Extreme or Burn Out® 35, followed by 16 oz. of Erase® per 10,000 gallons of water. Follow label instructions.

FOR SOFTSWIM POOLS
With pump running, apply an initial dose of Algae All 60. NOTE: Use of Algae All 60 will interfere with SoftSwim B readings for approximately three weeks.
For light growth, treat with one gallon of SoftSwim C® per 10,000 gallons of water. For moderate growth, treat with two gallons of SoftSwim C® per 10,000 gallons followed by an initial dose of SoftSwim A®.

For extensive growth, first apply SoftSwim Filter Aid directly to the pool according to label instructions. Vacuum algae to waste and follow with two gallons of SoftSwim C® per 10,000 gallons and an initial dose of SoftSwim A®.

After clearing green algae, chemically clean the filter and follow an aggressive maintenance program for a few weeks. Apply an initial dose of your maintenance algicide to replenish the level. (Algae growth depletes algicide.) Keep sanitizer levels toward the higher end of the scale (chlorine — 3 ppm, bromine — 4 ppm, SoftSwim — 50 ppm). Shock more frequently. Brush the pool once a week.

Download a printable PDF: BUL-116 – GREEN ALGAE

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NOTE: Always follow label directions and manufacturer’s instructions for each product used. Conditions may vary from pool to pool. Ultra Modern Pool & Patio does not assume any responsibility or liability for the results that may be obtained through utilization of this or any other program, procedure or product.

Copyright ©2006 ULTRA MODERN POOL & PATIO, INC.
Bulletin #116