Frank and Jacque discuss preventing and killing algae in swimming pools. As the water warms up and pools are getting used more, algae is becoming more of a problem.

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00:00 Intro

06:00 evaporation is heat loss, helps cool water. High humidity reduces evaporation and water heats faster. Many forms of algae like warmer water.

07:35 Avoid putting flower beds around pools or any landscaping that may wash into the pool. This puts nutrients in the water that algae need to live. 

10:35 Phosphates is algae food.

10:50 debris in the water, diluting water with heavy rains, filters getting dirty due to wash-in, all help contribute to algae growth.

11:41 nearby natural water sources, heavy foliage over the pool, close by golf courses, all may contribute nutrients to the pool that feed algae.

12:00 algae is also airborne and can always get into outdoor pools. it may also be introduced by insects and animals coming from natural water sources.

14:15 Tap water may be treated with phosphates

14:48 Rough plaster and surfaces in your pool give algae protection from currents and chemicals. Algae likes calm water.

15:45 Algae can double every three to four hours

15:55 Rough and jagged natural stones in water give algae-protected areas to create a colony.

22:10 brushing is critical in helping to minimize algae.

24:45 footwells in spas are frequently colonized by algae due to poor circulation.

26:50 Poor circulation on tanning ledges, along with water being heated quicker on tanning ledges, promote algae growth.

28:30 Chorine is one of the best algaecides.

03:25 Lower pH makes chlorine more active and effective. This can be problematic in salt pools that tend to run pH up. Algae will cause pH to rise, creating a better environment for the algae.

35:00 good filtration helps control algae

36:30 Chlorine is a good way to eliminate green algae. clean the filter, filter and circulate 24/7 until algae is eradicated. balance water. increase free chlorine to 30 ppm. brush brush brush

42:20 Mustard algae is more difficult to kill than green algae. Sodium bromide can help kill mustard algae, but do not overuse sodium bromide in a chlorine pool. BlueRay XL or metal algaecides are effective with mustard algae. cannot use sodium bromide with salt systems, UV, or ozone. Manage metal levels when using metal-based algaecides. Use CULATOR sequestrants and metal remover to manage metals. 

48:20 ammonium sulfates can work to manage algae. Frank is not a fan. It can mess up chlorine residual for extended periods.

50:00 black algae is a cyanobacteria. difficult to kill. can get bad enough that you have to drain and chlorine wash if doable on your pool. scrub with chlorine tab. BlueRay XL helps manage black algae.

52:00 Controlling phosphate levels will help you manage algae. Phosphate removers require more frequent filter cleanings and/or backwashing.

54:20 borates help slow the growth of algae.