Since Algae, like most plants, thrive under sun exposure (photosynthesis), depriving them of light will ensure that the algae can no longer live. Lack of light weakens all living organisms in the water, so using proper light deprivation will ensure that your algae will be gone!
Light: Algae needs light energy to grow. The more sunlight that penetrates the area, the higher the chance for algae to sustain life. Nutrients: Nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, fuel algae growth.
Containing chlorophyll, algae utilizes photosynthesis to grow. That is, they take in carbon dioxide and expend oxygen as a byproduct. Algae can grow in the shade or sun, but most pool algae strains need some light to grow. Algae need food to survive, and in a swimming pool there is no shortage of tasty food for algae.
Tips for Growing Algae: Light: Ideally algae cultures should receive at least 10 hours of sunlight a day, but no more than 18 hours. Place algae cultures on a south- facing windowsill or use a standard fluorescent light about 8-12 inches from the bottles.
One factor with a seminal influence on productivity is light availability. Light energy fully supports algal growth, but it leads to oxidative stress if illumination is in excess.
Too much light or too many nutrients in the water will cause algae to grow rapidly. If you experience algae overgrowth, it could be caused by: Leaving house lights on too long. The tank receiving too much direct sunlight.
On the contrary, blue and red will let the light through to be photosynthesised; green will inhibit growth the best as the algae will reflect that light back instead of absorbing it. Hence the green colour of algae.
When temperatures reach below 40°F algae growth is stopped, but it can still survive and become dormant over the winter. Pool algae will come back to life weeks before you decide to open your pool.
Algae generally perform photosynthesis in presence of light as they contain the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll, carotenes, and xanthophylls. Thus, algal growth requires sunlight.
UV Sterilizers perform two functions: Assist in the elimination of green water algae, exposing the algae cells to the ultra-violet light will kill the cells. This eliminates the need to add liquid water clarifiers because the UV light sterilizer prevents the algae bloom from occurring.
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.
Chlorine is still one of the most effective killers of algae so doing a super-chlorination of 10-20 ppm of chlorine can go a long way towards wiping out the algae. Liquid chlorine is an ideal shock for algae because it is fast acting and does not add cyanuric acid (CYA) or calcium to the water.
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.
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.
Poor water circulation, poor filtration, and not sanitising your pool will also contribute to rapid growth.
Pool algae occurs for many reasons. Low or inconsistent chlorine levels, faulty pool filtration and poor water circulation may be to blame. Preventing pool algae from flourishing helps to keep your pool operational so you can enjoy it all season long. The key to an algae-free pool is regular maintenance.
Our results show that algae grows the best under white light and more in blue light than red light. Therefore, our hypothesis is partially supported because the growth rate was higher under the blue light in comparison to the red group; however, the algae under the control condition experienced the most growth.
Generally, algae grow in pH ranges of 8.2 to 8.7, which is alkaline. Minerals, water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide are other requirements for algal growth.
Warmer temperatures prevent water from mixing, allowing algae to grow thicker and faster. Warmer water is easier for small organisms to move through and allows algae to float to the surface faster. Algal blooms absorb sunlight, making water even warmer and promoting more blooms.
Keep it covered.
Covering the pool is a good way to prevent algae growth. The right cover keeps algae from entering the pool, but it also keeps leaves, bugs, bacteria, and dirt from decomposing in the pool, providing algae with food.
Algae blooms are unpredictable and may occur at any time. They may last for a few days, months or all year long. In deeper lakes (like Elk Lake), blooms can occur in the winter months, particularly after storm events or during the lake turnover when deep-water nutrients are mixed with surface waters.
In warmer times, natural bacteria break down these nutrients thus cutting the food supply for the algae. In the cooler months of winter, the same bacteria go dormant and the algae can often thrive. Winter bacteria additives can be one method of regulating this winter bloom.
We recommend using a calcium hypochlorite shock to treat your algae problems. However, green, yellow, and black algae will each require their own level of shock in order to be completely killed and removed from your water.
Common methods to prevent algal blooms include aeration, chemical/biological additives, or ultrasonic technology. Although there are plenty of treatment solutions on the market, they all have their cons. For example, algaecides offer quick results but damage the entire water ecosystem.
Temperatures that are lower than 16°C will slow down the growth of algae. Light also has an effect on the growth of algae: it must not be too strong or weak. In most algal growth cultivation, algae only need about 1/10 of direct sunlight. In most water systems, light only penetrates the top 7-10 cm of water.