Nearly every day, I get a different first-time visitor to our store saying, “Help! My pool is green!” This is how we usually meet our future new customers. We need to be sensitive to what the pool owner is experiencing. Have sympathy. Let them know you have the answer, and you will get through this together with Jules’s Green Pool Algae Treatment Program.
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For me, personally, a green pool isn’t just the issue of how to make it blue again, but the question of, “how did it get green in the first place?” If we solve the issue without remediating the source, we set our guest up for a reoccurring backyard swamp. So, we need to look at a water sample. Testing the water will unveil any and all chemical mysteries. While examining the results I ask ‘triage-like’ screening questions.
How long are you running your pump?
Utility bills are always an issue for pool owners, and running the pool pump can account for up to 40% of total pool operation costs. A lot of customers do not circulate their water long enough. Especially if they have a single-speed pump. Even variable speed pump owners are guilty of this. They often run their pumps the same amount of time that they used to when they had a single-speed pump, but at a slower speed. Since they move the same amount of water at a lower speed, they need to run it longer. The goal is to get 1-2 turnovers (every drop of water going through the filter) in a set amount of time. Sometimes, they try to maintain their pools with the filter operating only one hour a day in the heat of the summer.
Is your filter clean?
A lot of times, you will get the answer “Yes” or “I just cleaned it.” These answers are not helpful because “just” to a customer could be last year. I always ask where the pressure is? We all know that 8-10 psi above clean starting pressure is dirty. The customer may or may not know their specific clean starting pressure, but if they say their pressure is at 30 psi, we know that is a problem. Proper circulation is key to a clean, algae-free pool.
Do you have any leaks?
Water dripping out when the system is on means air is getting into the system. This interferes with proper circulation as well. Even if no water is dripping, I ask when they changed key o-rings, such as their cover lid o-ring.
How often are you brushing your pool?
If you are brushing your pool, you are not getting algae. A good brush and at least a once a week application are super important in maintaining an algae-free body of water.
The Water itself
Now it is time to look at the water. Is there chlorine? Where is the PH? What are the CyA and phosphate levels? What is the overall LSI? Chemical imbalances are a major culprit in causing algae.
Time to treat
There are many different methods and many different products to get rid of algae. This is Dr. Jules’s Surefire Green Pool Algae Treatment Program:
- Disconnect the automatic pool cleaner (leave in the pool)
- Run Pump 24/7 (the pump needs to stay on for the entire treatment process.
- Brush the entire pool
- Add x amount of pounds of Cal hypo (this all depends on the size of the pool. Typically 2 pounds per 10,000 gallons) – unpainted plaster pools only.
- Or x gallons of liquid chlorine. – all pool types
- Add x ounces of algaecide. (poured directly in the pool). Dosing depends on the size of the pool and the manufacturer’s instructions found on the product label)
- Run the pump/filter for 24 hours
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The Next Day
- Clean the filter and re-charge with D.E. (If a D.E filter). If the filter was just cleaned, backwash the filter and add D.E.
- Add x pound of Cal hypo to recreate chlorine reserve (unpainted plaster pools only) Run the pump for at least 2 hours.
- Or add x gallons of liquid chlorine – all pool types
- Reconnect automatic pool cleaner
- Perform a phosphate treatment as needed
- Use a clarifier or enzyme such as Pool First Aid as needed to remove dead algae too small for the filter to filter out.
Want to feel like a water magician? Try Dr. Jules’s Surefire Green Pool Algae Treatment Program. See you, poolside!
