Treating Algae

Treating Algae in a Baquacil® or Baquacil® Ultra Pool

What is algae?

Algae are microscopic plant life present in air, soil and water that require carbon dioxide, sunlight and water for growth.
The presence of algae in a pool may result in cloudy water, slippery pool surfaces such as step and ladders, pH rise, filter blockage, and excessive chemical consumption.
Algae don not cause disease, but their presence is not inviting to swimmers.

What does algae look like?

Green algae tend to be free floating, making the water cloudy.
Mustard algae cling to walls, leaving the water clear unless they are physically disturbed. When brushed it appears to be a fine brown powder.
Black algae cling to walls and is very difficult to brush.

Causes & Prevention of Algae in Your Pool:

Poor Circulation

Run the circulation/filtration system continuously for a minimum of 8-12 hours a day or longer at times of high bather load, bad weather, or when a water clarity problem exists.
Check the returns on the pool to be sure they are directed slightly downward and away from the skimmer in a circulation flow pattern.
Check the pump timer to make sure it is operating properly and set for a minimum run time of 8 hours.
Poor Filtration
Check the filter and pressure gauge to ensure they are functioning properly.
Chemically clean the filter at least two times (2X) per season [three times (3X) if pool is open year-round] or in the event that the pressure is not significantly reduced by backwashing, bumping, or rinsing the filter.
Only backwash the filter according to the filter manufacturer's recommendation.
Improper Chemical Maintenance
Maintain Baquacil® Sanitizer and Algistat (or Baquacil® Ultra Sanitizer and Fungicide) level between 30ppm and 50ppm.
Test your water weekly with Baquacil® Test Strips (or Baquacil® Ultra Test Strips).
Follow the three-part maintenance procedures of Baquacil® Sanitizer and Algistat, Baquacil® Algicide, and Baquacil® Shock and Oxidizer (or Baquacil® Ultra Sanitizer and Fungicide, Baquacil® Ultra Oxidizer Increaser Tablets, and Baquacil® Ultra Shock and Oxidizer).
Use the Pool Maintenance Log in the back of your Baquacil® Pool Care Guide to record all testing information and product additions. You will have an accurate record if your pool develops a problem.
Poor Housekeeping and Environment
Brush pool sides and bottom weekly even if the pool is equipped with an automatic pool cleaner.
Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from pool.
Clean the skimmer and hair and lint strainer baskets weekly.
Clean any automatic pool cleaners and covers.
If your pool cover is left in the dirt or grass, you may be introducing substantial debris into the pool, so always store covers carefully when not in use.

Clearing Algae in a Baquacil® or Baquacil® Ultra Pool

Have you chemically cleaned your filter in the past month? If not, clean the filter with Baquacil® Filter Cleaner or Baquacil® Sand Filter Cleaner (see Filter Cleaning Reference Sheet).

Rate the Algae:

0=	No Algae visible	3=	Moderate Growth. Large, random patches on sides and bottom of pool.
1=	Very Low Growth. Small spots of algae on ladder steps or skimmer.	4=	Heavy Growth. Sides and bottom of pool covered and/or water hazy due to free-floating algae.
2=	Low Growth. Small patches on sides and bottom of pool.

Brush the pool sides and bottom. (Repeat this step daily until the pool is clear.)
If Algae Rating is 2 or less:
1. Backwash, bump or rinse the filter.
2. Top-up Baquacil® Sanitizer and Algistat (or Baquacil® Ultra Sanitizer and Fungicide) to 50ppm, add an INITIAL DOSE (5¼ oz. per 10,000 gallons) of Baquacil® Algicide and add a MAINTENANCE DOSE (1 gallon per 10,000 gallons) of Baquacil® Shock and Oxidizer (or Baquacil® Ultra Shock and Oxidizer).
3. Run filter continuously for 24 to 48 hours and re-evaluate Algae Rating.
4. If pool is clear after this time, clean filter with Baquacil® Filter Cleaner or Baquacil® Sand Filter Cleaner.
5. If pool still has algae:
  1. Brush the pool sides and bottom and backwash, bump or rinse the filter.
  2. Add an initial dose of Baquacil® Performance Algicide (11-17 oz. per 10,000 gallons).
  3. Run filter continuously for 24 to 48 hours and re-evaluate Algae Rating.
  4. If pool is clear after this time, clean filter with Baquacil® Filter Cleaner or Baquacil® Sand Filter Cleaner.
  5. If pool still has algae, see your Authorized Dealer for advice on how to proceed using Baquacil® Premium Algicide for persistent algae.
If Algae Rating is 3 or greater:
1. Floc pool with Baquacil® Flocculant, follow the Broadcase Floc directions on the bottle.
2. Turn off filter and allow Baquacil® Flocculant to settle for 24 hours.
3. After 24 hours, vacuum algae and floc to waste. It is important to physically remove as much of the algae as possible from the pool before chemical treatment.
4. Brush remaining algae from pool sides and bottom.
5. Top-up Baquacil® Sanitizer and Algistat (or Baquacil® Ultra Sanitizer and Fungicide) to 50ppm, add an INITIAL DOSE (5¼ oz. per 10,000 gallons) of Baquacil® Algicide and add a MAINTENANCE DOSE (1 gallon per 10,000 gallons) of Baquacil® Shock and Oxidizer (or Baquacil® Ultra Shock and Oxidizer).
6. Run filter continuously for 24 to 48 hours and re-evaluate Algae Rating.
7. If pool is clear after this time:
  1. Clean filter with Baquacil® Filter Cleaner or Baquacil® Sand Filter Cleaner.
  2. Resume normal pool care routine and remember to brush sides and bottom of the pool weekly.
8. If pool still has algae:
  1. Brush the pool sides and bottom and backwash, bump or rinse the filter.
  2. Add an initial dose of Baquacil® Performance Algicide (11-17 oz. per 10,000 gallons).
  3. Run filter continuously for 24-48 hours.
  4. If pool is clear after this time, clean filter with Baquacil® Filter Cleaner or Baquacil® Sand Filter Cleaner.
  5. If pool still has algae, see your Authorized Dealer for advice on how to proceed using Baquacil® Premium Algicide for persistent algae.

Information provided by Avecia Limited.