What Causes Algae Formation in Swimming Pools?

Algae spores are one of the common swimming pool issues. Rain, wind, or even contaminated tools or swimsuits can carry spores. If the conditions favor, the algae bloom can occur within hours. This includes warm temperatures, imbalanced water, and sunlight. The presence of carbon dioxide, nitrates, and phosphate can also lead to algae formation. Lack of filtration, enough circulation, and sanitation are also some of the leading causes of algae formation in pools. In such cases, you must look for the best pool cleaner for algae.

What is Algae? How Does it Form?

Algae are aquatic creatures that grow under sunlight and on warm days. It also consists of chlorophyll and follows the process of photosynthesis to grow. They intake carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. It can grow under sunlight and even in the shade. However, the majority of the pool algae require sunlight to strive.

While the algae require food to survive, the swimming pool provides enough food. Almost every contaminant and dust carried by the wind can feed the algae. It is impossible to keep the debris and dirt out of the pool. The nutrients are always present in the swimming pool to feed the algae.

The remains of the previous algae can also produce and feed future generations of algae. The vitamins and minerals of past algae colonies provide food to future generations of algae. They are always there in tiny amounts, no matter how clean your pool is. It quietly waits in the pools for the perfect opportunity to bloom. When the pH rises, the chlorine levels go down, or the pump doesn’t function properly, the swimming pool explodes in algae.

What Problems Will You Face With Algae in Pools?

The swimmers always look for crystal clear water to play and relax in the pool. The problem with pool algae is that removing them requires time, effort, and money.

Moreover, if your pool suffers a vast algae bloom once, it is likely to happen again in the future. 

Sometimes, algae can be dangerous. It decreases the visibility of pool water, making it cloudy and colored. Due to the limited visibility, it is challenging to conduct efficient rescue operations.

Furthermore, algae are responsible for using chlorine to prevent other contaminants. The algae formation turns the pool water into a safe space for pathogens such as E-coli bacteria. It is also responsible for blocking the filter crevices in a swimming pool, affecting the plaster on the surfaces, often leading to staining in the pool. 

Preventing the Formation of Algae

Using the best pool cleaner for algae can help prevent the formation in a swimming pool. One of the fruitful conditions for algae formation is a high pH value of the water and low chlorine concentration. With the help of cyanuric acid, you will be able to negate the formation of algae, keeping the water fresh and clean.

Furthermore, the lack of cleanliness in a swimming pool is considered a crucial factor in the formation of algae.

On the other hand, poor filtration also results in the formation of algae in swimming pools. With the help of an automatic pool cleaner, one will be able to thoroughly filtrate the pool water, keeping the swimming pool free from algae formation. 

Final Thoughts

Algae can be prevented and removed using various treatments and cleaners. However, the basic necessity for removing it from your swimming pools is ensuring that your pool water has the proper pH level and chlorine concentration. It is an effective way to kill the one already formed due to the dirty water. Apart from that, one can use shock treatments, filter cleaners, chlorine enhancers, and brushing to remove it. With the help of draining out the entire pool water, you can clean your swimming pool and fill it with fresh water, thereby preventing the formation of new algae.

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