There is nothing more obnoxious, or irksome, than spending time in a pool filled with black algae. It attaches itself to any surface, and even the most expensive pool cleaners just can’t seem to get it all. For whatever reason, you just can’t seem to keep that disgusting black stuff clear of your pool.
To make matters worse, once it takes hold, it becomes incredibly difficult to remove. The very nature of algae is that it is tenacious, and hard to eliminate. You’ll need to be particularly observant to catch it in the first place, and even then, you’ll have to rely on luck. There is no surefire method for removing black algae from your pool, short of emptying it and starting over.
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Saltwater Pools
The culprit behind the black algae is almost certainly the saltwater itself. While fresh water is virtually pollution-free, adding even a small amount of salt can cause huge issues. There are several different species of algae that can bloom in fresh water, but the most common and problematic one is called Cryptocladium.
In some areas of the country, it’s not uncommon to find saltwater pools that aren’t maintained properly. You’ll usually find this problem where there are a lot of storm drains nearby, and it’s not uncommon for there to be a lot of trash, and possibly even human waste, flowing into these drains.
The water in these kinds of pools will be filled with a lot of bacteria, and the algae will just be taking up residence in these pools because it’s nutrient-rich food. The good news is that algae doesn’t pose any real health threats to humans; it’s mostly just there as an irritant. Fortunately for us, there are ways to keep it at bay.
Dissolved Oxygen
One of the things that makes algae so tenacious is the fact that it can hold on to a lot of oxygen. If you look at the problem from an ecological standpoint, having too much algae in your pool is actually a good thing. It helps sustain the overall health of the environment by providing nutrients for other species. However, if it gets out of control, it can cause problems for humans and other animals that live in or around the water.
The solution is simple: add more oxygen. This will not only kill the algae, but all the other creatures that live in the water. Dissolved oxygen is very powerful, and even small amounts can make a huge difference. If you are using an automatic pool cleaner, adding more frequently used oxygen tanks is a good idea. This will help ensure that your pool is always clean, and free of any harmful algae blooms. Even adding a few drops of oxygen to the water can help prevent many different kinds of infections.
Cold Weather
Algae needs something to feed on, and the easiest and most convenient food for algae is microscopic organic material such as bacteria and fungi. Since algae cannot physically move, it is very dependent upon the environment for its survival. This means that the conditions in your pool will determine the kind of algae that will inhabit it. One of the most important factors is the temperature of your pool.
Most algae will not grow in temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and it becomes less and less abundant as the temperature climbs. Once the temperature reaches 75 degrees Fahrenheit, many kinds of algae will be unable to survive, and if the temperature continues to climb, you can be sure that you will face a serious algae bloom problem.
The good news is that you can take steps to control the temperature of your pool. Open your pool up during the summer months for at least part of the day, or in warmer climates, leave the pool uncovered during the day so that the sun can naturally heat it up. If you live in an area where it gets really cold, you can protect your pool from the wind, as this will also serve to retain heat inside. Finally, if you think that there might be a problem with the temperature, you can always call a professional pool service to take a look at things.
Exercise
Algae needs oxygen to survive, and a lot of it. It is therefore one of the few living things that benefit from being kept active. In addition to keeping your pool clean and free of contamination, you can also prevent many different ailments by regularly getting your body active. While there are some serious risks associated with obesity, there are also many health advantages to being fit. You’ll be surprised at how much exercise your body needs even if you don’t work out regularly. Just remember to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program, as they may have specific instructions about what kinds of activities are safe for you.
If you feel that being fit is important for your health and well-being, you can take up hiking, biking, or swimming. These are all great ways to get exercise, and the fact that they’re helping the environment by reducing your energy expenditure makes it even more appealing.
Water Quality Test Kit
A good pool test kit will contain several different tests that you can perform to determine the quality of the water in your pool. The first thing to do is conduct a visual inspection of the pool itself to see if there are any signs of contamination. Be on the lookout for debris such as broken tiles or furniture, or any sort of pollution that may have seeped into the pool from outside sources.
Once you have checked for signs of contamination, you can test for pH levels. The pH of your pool will determine the proportion of acid and alkaline in the water. Ideally, you want your pH levels to be around 7.2-7.6 for optimum swimming conditions. Levels below 7.0 can result in serious muscle damage, and alkaline pools can be extremely irritating to the skin. Checking the PH levels of your pool will give you an idea of whether or not it’s advisable to exercise in the water, as well as how good the water is for your overall health.
Another good test for pools is the nitrates test. If this is positive, you have a bacterial growth problem in your pool. Bacteria are often present in stagnant water, and they can grow quickly and become a nuisance when unplanned nutrients are added to the water. This can result in a serious infection, especially if you have a weak immune system. Checking the nitrates levels in your pool will help you determine how serious the contamination is, and if you are really worried, you can call a professional pool service to have them take a look at what’s going on.
Drainage
Another important point to make is that even clean water can still contain a lot of debris, which can potentially clog your drain holes. When this happens, it can be extremely difficult to clear the blockage, and even professional plumbers can’t guarantee that it will all be cleaned up. This is where regular cleaning comes in handy. Just because your pool is clean doesn’t mean that it will stay that way forever. There are various things that you can do to improve the overall drainage in your pool environment. The simplest option is to add more aeration. Good drainage and aeration will help improve the overall quality of the water.
Adding more aeration in the form of bubbles is a great way to help increase the oxygen in your pool. Not only will this help improve the quality of the water, it will make it more inviting for swimmers. You don’t need to go overboard and add several hundred dollars worth of equipment, just remember to add a couple of inexpensive aerators that will do the trick. The important thing is to ensure that there are always bubbles in your pool.
In addition to helping improve the quality of your water, regular cleaning will also help improve the overall aesthetic appeal of your pool. It doesn’t have to be extremely pricey equipment to make your pool look great; all it takes is good old fashioned elbow grease! Just remember to clean it at least once a month, and if there are indications that it is becoming polluted, you can call a professional to have them take a look at the situation.
As you can see, there are several different ways that you can prevent algae from blooming in your pool. This particular plant needs sufficient light and a few things to survive, and as long as you keep up with these basic requirements, it will not pose any problems for you or your family. By regularly testing the water, cleaning it, and exercising in it, you can enjoy the pool season, knowing that your body is enjoying the benefits.