Green Algea in Pool - Constantly

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neoprema

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So I have this problem with our pool. It gets green algae around the steps, some side walls and the light. I buy HTH Algaecide and throw it in (2 big bottles) and it goes away. All the bottles claim this is just needed when it’s a problem.

The problem is 3 days later it’s all back. And I’m having to buy more algaecide. It’s now an ongoing thing in circles. I’ve tried other brands too - they’ll clear it for about 3-5 days and it’s back.

Is one supposed to be putting algae chemicals in the pool weekly or more? Im new to this so not sure but it seems like something you should only need to do rarely? Chlorine and acid levels are stable and the water is crystal clear.
 
you probably have algea in the filter, you shouldn't have to put algaecide in very often, some floaters also have algeacide in.

is your pools chemicals balanced? i.e do you have test strips or a test kit?
 
Make sure the pool's pH and free chlorine levels are correct.

Also note that after heavy weather (rain and lightning), you might have to add shock or just an extra dose of chlorine.
 
AntennaMan said:
Make sure the pool's pH and free chlorine levels are correct.

Also note that after heavy weather (rain and lightning), you might have to add shock or just an extra dose of chlorine.
Click to expand...
The most common mistake is not getting these two right before anything else.
PH must be correct before you throw anything else in first, then the chemicals needed.
 
Hemi300c said:
The most common mistake is not getting these two right before anything else.
PH must be correct before you throw anything else in first, then the chemicals needed.
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This. The common mistake is people think just throwing in chemicals will fix the problem without balancing the pool out. Especially with all the rain we've had in JHB in this last 2 months, I've had to even throw some stabiliser in which I've not had to do in a very long time, the test strip basically didn't even change colour at one point :-).
 
Steamy Tom said:
you probably have algea in the filter, you shouldn't have to put algaecide in very often, some floaters also have algeacide in.

is your pools chemicals balanced? i.e do you have test strips or a test kit?
Click to expand...
For that you'd need to floc to get the algae all sticky and heavy to drop to the bottom of the pool, where it can then be vacuumed out on waste.
 
Lupus said:
For that you'd need to floc to get the algae all sticky and heavy to drop to the bottom of the pool, where it can then be vacuumed out on waste.
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not sure I follow... if it is in the filter the algecide should kill it and then you can backwash it out, assuming the pump is run on filter for sometime with algaecide in the water. If the sand is terrible replace it.
 
Do yourself a favor and get the hth test strips in the little tin. Test. Do exactly what the strip says. Just above the colours it says "add ph up" or "add chlorine" just do that. Also, if you have heating on, the algae is flourishing in the heat....
 
Lupus said:
For that you'd need to floc to get the algae all sticky and heavy to drop to the bottom of the pool, where it can then be vacuumed out on waste.
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And then you will need to vacuum that debris out while on backwash. It's a pain so don't throw too much Flocc It in.
 
Steamy Tom said:
not sure I follow... if it is in the filter the algecide should kill it and then you can backwash it out, assuming the pump is run on filter for sometime with algaecide in the water. If the sand is terrible replace it.
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Dead algae is generally to small to be filtered out by the sand, so you'd end up with a brown/grey dust at the bottom of the pool, so yes the larger chunks will be filtered out but the smaller ones will just blow back into the pool, this would could end up making the pool cloudy if it's not heavy enough (when you'll need to flocc) or if it is heavy enough the dust that won't disappear.
You could use a flocc and the clarifier that may make the dead algae heavy enough to get stuck to the sand and you can then backwash it.
 
you should never vacuum on backwash, when you backwash the cleaner pipe should always be disconnected
 
Steamy Tom said:
you should never vacuum on backwash, when you backwash the cleaner pipe should always be disconnected
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Yup you vacuum to waste not backwash, you don't want the rubbish to go through the filter at all.
 
Recently had to vacuum the pool...on waste.

Pool water level dropped about 10-15cm in the 10 min it took to vacuum.
 
I'l answer everyone together cause multiple people have asked the same thing

I'm using one of these:
leroymerlin.co.za

PoolSense Smart Pool Water Analyzer V2.0 - pH, ORP, Temperature Automatic Floating Sensor

PoolSense makes pool care a hassle-free experience! - It monitors your pool water quality 24/7. Intervals start at every 105 minutes and may increase as PoolSense learns about your pool over a longer period of time (smart). - It analyses the data and notifies you via our app on your smartphone...
leroymerlin.co.za leroymerlin.co.za

I also have 2 x Pool floats (blu52)

Between that and the odd powder acid the Pool Sense always says the levels are fine.
 
neoprema said:
I'l answer everyone together cause multiple people have asked the same thing

I'm using one of these:
leroymerlin.co.za

PoolSense Smart Pool Water Analyzer V2.0 - pH, ORP, Temperature Automatic Floating Sensor

PoolSense makes pool care a hassle-free experience! - It monitors your pool water quality 24/7. Intervals start at every 105 minutes and may increase as PoolSense learns about your pool over a longer period of time (smart). - It analyses the data and notifies you via our app on your smartphone...
leroymerlin.co.za leroymerlin.co.za

I also have 2 x Pool floats (blu52)

Between that and the odd powder acid the Pool Sense always says the levels are fine.
Click to expand...
2 floats? How big is the pool?
 
Not an expert in this, but recently had a similar problem and was told I have stabilizer lock. That is too much stabilizer and then you can add as much chlorine as you like, nothing changes. You need to basically slowly change out a lot of the water. I think the stabilizer comes from some of the HTH floaters which should be alternated I think.
Anyways, I probably have some of this a bit out, but worth checking your stabilizer levels. I'm again dealing with lots of algae and need to figure out a proper fix.
 
Steamy Tom said:
you probably have algea in the filter, you shouldn't have to put algaecide in very often, some floaters also have algeacide in.

is your pools chemicals balanced? i.e do you have test strips or a test kit?
Click to expand...

Why shouldn't you use algaecide often?
 
A lot of guys are saying to check the water parameters, which you should do. I dont have any strips or kits etc. I have a pool shop nearby, i take a water sample they do the tests and then tell me what to do. They literally write the instructions for me on a paper.

All I pay for is the chemicals which are required.

Try this route, if you not coming right. At least you getting some professional advise based on your actual water parameters. The cost of the chemicals is not out of line from what you pay for the same stuff elsewhere.
 
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