View Full Version : Pool water algae question
The best and most imformative answers regarding algae are found in this forum so I thought I might challenge you with this question.
I have an above ground pool that has a chronic algae problem. I have attacked it with many various chemicals from the local pool store who have by the way, tested the water for various substances including nitrates and copper. Nothing so far has worked.
I suggested to the pool expert that a chlorine shock and a one week black-out (using the winter cover) would subdue the algae. He had never heard of the idea, but after I explained the principle of my idea, he thought it might work. Ahh, the side benefits of owning an aquarium and knowing and listening to you guys ;)
So waddya think? Would the method that works in the aquaruim also work in the pool?
Matt W
08-11-2003, 7:48 AM
That is just about what I did with my above ground pool....put in twice the amount of chlorine I normally do, put the top on and ran the filter every day for twice as long as I normally do. 4 days later, crystal clear water :)
Skittyfish
08-11-2003, 7:48 AM
Matak-we've had that problem too. We ended up putting the shock in every other day for 5 days, haven't had a problem since then. We only use the shock though, I put in a bag about every third day, and as long as I do that we don't have any algae...and we don't smell chlorine either.
Just my .02.
kveeti
08-11-2003, 8:33 AM
Never had a pool ourselves... but from what I do know (very little) I think Skittyfish's idea works.
A few years ago, the company my husband then worked for, hired 3 young men from Toronto and put them up in a huge rented house, complete with jacuzzi and pool. There were a LOT of office parties those couple years... Anyhow, I know these guys regularly shocked the pool every few days. And with all the people always stopping by for a swim, there was never a problem.
We really can't help without some pertinent information.......types of plants, what kind of substrate are you using, and is it DIY or pressurized CO2?..............................
Seriously, you want to shock a pool? Throw my daughter-in-law in that puppy for about 10 minutes!!!!
Len
Skittyfish
08-11-2003, 2:48 PM
:eek: ....Shame on you Len!!!!! I hope my in-laws don't view me that way:mad: . (J/K)
Although maybe it is the fact my brother-in-law comes to our house to swim weekly. Perhaps they shock stuff isn't really working after all:D .
plantbrain
08-11-2003, 3:34 PM
UV's work great for green water.
Filamentous algae often can be controlled with herbivores, eg flagfish, even a number of pleco's. If you live in the northern regions, the algae issue is only for a few months/likewise the fish are only needed for that long also.
Another method that kills both the filamentous and the green water very effectively, is an ultrasonic cell imploder. These run about 650$ and up and are more geared for larger systems.
Does not harm fish nor larger macrophytes/plants.
But they work very well and kill things in the pond rather than what passed through a UV tube etc.
Another simple method is to draw the level down, killing the algae above the water line and then refilling after removing the algae with a broom etc.
Regards,
Tom Barr
Filamentous algae often can be controlled with herbivores, eg flagfish, even a number of pleco's. Now wouldn't that be cool :cool:
We really can't help without some pertinent information.......types of plants, what kind of substrate are you using, and is it DIY or pressurized CO2?.............................. Plants: Large coniferous hedge behind pool
Substrate: 10 mil vinyl
CO2: Ambient
Filtration: Hayward sand filter with 3/4 HP pump
Thanx for all the good advice :)
Ok, now we're gettin' somewhere......with the info you've supplied I'd say all you need is my daughter-in-law and you're good to go. No charge.....in fact I'll pay you to take her.
BTW, pay no attention to Skittyfish.....she's always yelling at me.
Len
mogurnda
08-12-2003, 8:54 AM
You know, I like the idea of a few common plecos. One of the few places that adults would fit. Kind of disconcerting to have them suck your toes, though.
Skittyfish
08-12-2003, 1:35 PM
Eeww! Yuck! I swim in the pool because the thought of fish nibbling my toes in the lake just freaks me out. (Have had that happen, really odd feeling!)
I have also had some friends use algaecide every week to keep the pool cleared up. We never use it because of the way it foams up when we swim.
The idea of having to put the cover on sounds like it would work, but what a pain in the behind. Besides, swimming season will be over in a few weeks here...temps start falling at the end of August.
Temps start falling in a couple of weeks here, Kveeti already has a couple of inches on the ground where she is ;) but, this is a grudge match against the algae. I beat it in my tank, I'll beat it in my pool :mad:
Ben2988
08-14-2003, 6:40 AM
being in the pool industry my guess is you have mustard algae. Its abear to get rid of. There is a chem that will do the trick contact a pool store and get some and you wont have to cover your pool next time.
Ben, I missed your reply. Thanx for the info, I will persue that route. I have put so much algacide in the pool that the water isn't going green, but the algae isn't dying off either. And this is after five days with no pump circulation (voluntary power cutback). I am going to shock and cover as the season is only about three more weeks here till the first snow flies. (Hate those pesky snow flies :p )