Myth: You can use any type of Algaecide on your salt water pool. Fact: Most Algaecide products contain metallic minerals (such as copper) as their active ingredient. Metals can damage salt cell chlorinators, so we recommend using our Poolife Defend+ Algaecide, since copper is not the active ingredient.
2-Shocking a salt water pool
If the water appears to be a teal colour or light green due to the algae then you should give the pool a double dose of a calcium hypochlorite shock. If the water looks dark green then a triple helping should be used and if it appears to be black then a quadruple shock is best.
If you own a salt water pool, you probably know how big of a problem algae growth can be. Once these organisms contaminate the pool, they can grow and spread quickly. Both chlorinated and salt water pools need proper water chemistry levels in order to prevent algae growth.
If your pool is green and cloudy, it's likely an algae problem. Algae can persist in a pool even after shocking. A green pool – especially one that turned green overnight or after rain, can also be from a pool pump that isn't properly circulating water or an issue with your filtering system.
Run your filtration system overnight (or for at least eight hours) until your pool water isn't cloudy anymore. If your water is still cloudy after eight hours of filtering, you can add a dose of pool water clarifier, then continue running the filter until the water clears.
Remove excess calcium using a calcium reducer. Brush and vacuum the pool regularly to remove algae growth. Maintain a chlorine level between 3-5ppm and shock to increase the chlorine levels when necessary. Use a pool clarifier or flocculant as specified by the manufacturer.
Does baking soda kill algae in pools? Only algaecides can "kill" algae in pool water. However, baking soda can help clear up algae. Use both so you can restore sparkly, clean water!
You didn't use Flocculants or Clarifiers. If you still can't see the bottom after shocking your pool, you may need to add a clarifier or flocculant the next day to remove the dead algae. Flocculant binds to small particle impurities in the water, causing them to clump together and fall to the bottom of the pool.
Letting High Salt Levels Break Down Your Pool Equipment And Surfaces. Salt water isn't harmful in average concentrations. But if your salinity levels get too high or if it builds up on surfaces, it can start to break down your pool equipment, pool liner, and pool cover.
Barley straw is a natural way to fight algae. On contact with water, the straw starts to break down, and as it does so it releases peroxides into the water which combat algae. Available in mini bales, or as a concentrated extract of barley straw liquid, it's a natural way of chemically fighting algae.
That's why it's best to use either dichlor shock or non-chlorine shock for regular saltwater pool maintenance and cal-hypo shock for algae issues. Even saltwater pools need to be shocked every week or two (and more often if there's been heavy rain or high usage).
Adding shock to your pool super-chlorinates your water. And this extra dose of sanitizer will kill algae growth. The more serious your pool algae problem, the more shock you'll need. We recommend using calcium hypochlorite shock, or cal-hypo shock, as an effective algae treatment.
Using baking soda in your pool is one of the easiest but most efficient ways to get your backyard ready for summer. This pool idea is loved by experts who recommend using this homemade remedy to increase the alkalinity and pH level of your pool – and treat black algal growth on your swimming pool wall.
How often do you shock a saltwater pool? A lot of pool maintenance folks recommend shocking a saltwater pool once a week, especially during the busiest parts of swim season.
Algaecide should be used after each shock treatment, so it has a better chance to support your chlorine as it works its magic. Be sure to shock your pool first, then when the chlorine levels of your pool return to normal, add the correct amount of algaecide to several places around your pool while your pump is running.
It may surprise you to learn that algaecide isn't a magic bullet for getting rid of algae in your pool. In fact, algaecide is more effective as a preventive measure than a treatment. Don't get us wrong—it still helps as an algae treatment, just not in the way you might think.
Whether mild or severe, it isn't recommended. Significant amounts of swimming pool algae welcome a breeding ground of harmful bacteria that feed on algae. These bacteria pose health risks to swimmers, most commonly resulting in a skin rash. It can also cause various bacterial infections of the ears or eyes.
The best and fastest way is to use a shock that contains at least 70% chlorine. If your pool is really green, then you may need to add more shock. But never fear, it's impossible to over shock a pool. You can get chlorine in both powdered and liquid form, but liquid chlorine works faster if you're in a hurry.
When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial pool products for raising alkalinity utilize baking soda as their main active ingredient.
Vinegar can also be used to remove mineral deposits from a pool, shine up metal surfaces, clean your pool filter, and get rid of algae and other things growing in your pool. You can use a vinegar solution and scrub brush to accomplish most of this and use undiluted vinegar for stubborn stains.
Key Takeaway: Saltwater pools require regular maintenance to prevent cloudy water, algae growth, and high salt levels. Regularly check pH and alkalinity levels, clean filters and brush walls weekly, run the pump for 8–10 hours daily, and test salt concentrations every few weeks.
High Calcium Hardness levels have no effect on saltwater pools, but a lower level in the 180-200 ppm range may result in less scale forming on the salt cell plates. Other: Algaecides and clarifiers may be needed on occasion, as with any other pool.
The reason why saltwater pools usually have elevated pH levels is because the generation of chlorine with the electrolysis process tends to create byproducts that have a very high pH. Since chlorine is added directly to chlorinated pools, pH levels are easier to manage.