October is here! Time for ghosts, goblins, zombies and slimy green monsters. Don’t let your pool be the scene of a green slime crime. Beachside Pool Service, the premier Laguna Beach pool service, has tips to keep algae and other green slimy creatures at bay.

How algae gets in your pool

Algae is an aquatic plant. The spores can get into your pool in many ways. Wind can blow spores into your pool, a rainstorm can dump spores in your pool and people can bring spores in on their hair and swim suits. When the days are sunny and temperatures mild, spores rapidly multiply. Every pool contains the two things algae want, water and food. Food is in the form of bits of dirt that blow in and of course every pool has water!

The spores multiply and can turn a swimming pool into green, slimy mess. Algae clouds the water, clogs the filtering media, stains pool surfaces and can even provide cover for harmful bacteria.

It’s a monster to clean, but easy to prevent.

Circulation and sanitation

Algae grows when circulation and sanitizing chemicals are sufficient to keep the water clean. Don’t think you are saving energy by reducing the amount of time your pool pump runs. When reduced circulation leads to an algae bloom you will need to run the pool pump 24 hours a day for many days. It’s a case of penny-wise and pound foolish.

Something as simple as regularly brushing the pool walls keeps algae at bay. Spores on the wall can be filtered out once they are knocked free. And speaking of filters, make sure your filter is the right size. If your pool filter is too small for the size of your pool, it can’t keep up with the debris load. You won’t save money by purchasing a filter that is too small, it will cost more in maintenance in the long run.

Skimping on chemicals doesn’t save money. Let pH get too high and you get algae. Now, you must spend more money on algaecide to get rid of the algae. If your chlorine levels are too low you get algae.

Getting rid of green algae

Once algae gets in, it isn’t easy to get it out. You will need to:

• Run the pump 24/7 until green algae is completely gone
• Turn off pool heater
• Brush pool walls to remove algae
• Adjust pH to between 7.2 and 7.6
• Correct alkalinity to between 80 and 115 ppm
• Limit calcium to 200 – 400 ppm
• Add 2 – 4 pounds shock for each 10,000 gallons
• Test water after 24 hours
• When chlorine falls to less than 5 ppm add algaecide
• Brush walls again
• Vacuum pool (set to waste for sand or DE filters)

Continue this process until pool water is clear and chemistry has returned to normal levels. The filter will need to be backwashed or the cartridges replaced during this process.

Stop algae before it starts with a Laguna Beach pool service

The best way to control green algae is Beachside Pool Service. It’s the Laguna Beach swimming pool service that takes the time to get it right. Your water chemistry is carefully monitored and adjusted. Beachside brushes your pool walls, vacuums, skims and backwashes when necessary. Pump, filter, heater and lighting repairs or replacements are available too.

Green algae is a scary monster. Rely on Beachside Pool Service, your local Laguna Beach pool service, and keep the green monster at bay. Call (949) 939-0023 for a free estimate