Muriatic acid's strong acidity can kill stubborn algae growth when other methods have been ineffective.
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.
For an average-sized pool (think 15,000 to 20,000 gallons), you'll need about a quart of muriatic acid. If your pool is much larger or much smaller than average, you should check with your pool professional.
Muriatic acid itself will not kill and clear algae on its own, but it is definitely needed to help get rid of the algae.
Adding too much muriatic acid can drop your pH levels too low. Low pH can cause eye irritation and skin rashes. It can also erode metals like pool ladders, railings, nuts and bolts, and other pool equipment.
Green Envy Muriatic Acid Replacement is an inhibited, non-fuming hydrogen chloride solution that safely etches concrete and cleans brick and masonry. It produces 90% less fumes and is safer to use than Muriatic Acid.
TIP 5: USE BLEACH OR VINEGAR
Oxidized bleach immediately starts to kill algae cells once it comes into contact with it. Bleach, however, should not be your first option, especially if the area you plan to rid of algae is near plants or grass.
Use White Vinegar to Remove Algae
If you have an algae problem, your best friend is white vinegar. White vinegar can quickly kill algae but is not harmful to birds, insects and the majority of plants. Use a mixture of one part water to one part white vinegar to spray down the area and kill the algae.
A rule of thumb is 1.5 lbs. of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water will raise alkalinity by about 10 ppm. If your pool's pH tested below 7.2, add 3-4 pounds of baking soda. If you're new to adding pool chemicals, start by adding only one-half or three-fourths of the recommended amount.
When diluting it, pour the acid into the water, not the other way around. And never ever mix muriatic acid with other cleaning products. Carefully apply that solution to any mold or hard surface and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with water.
Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool. We recommend waiting at least 15 minutes to swim after adding algaecide to your swimming pool. Most algaecides are perfectly safe to swim with.
Muriatic acid may damage concrete surfaces, so be careful when pouring it on sidewalks or driveways; new concrete typically does not need to be cleaned at all before applying staining agents. If you do pour some on these surfaces, rinse off with lots of water as soon as possible.
Hardware stores and home centers sell products designed to kill moss and algae, but you can save money by using inexpensive chlorine bleach or a non-creamy hand dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn.
To eliminate and prevent green algae in a swimming pool, start by adding an extra dose of chlorine to your pool to shock the algae and stop the bloom. Let the chlorine work overnight, then test the pH levels of the pool in the morning to see if the pH is back to normal.
When added to water containing algae, H2O2 breaks down into water and oxygen, releasing free oxygen radicals in the process. These free oxygen radicals can then react with and destroy the cell walls and membranes of algae cells, causing them to die off.
Bicarbonate, the active ingredient in baking soda, is an effective spot treatment to help kill the algae and loosen it from the wall. Make sure you really get every last particle free; black algae has particularly long and stubborn roots which makes it a persistent strand.
Hydrogen peroxide is especially effective against green algae and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). It is heavier than water and sinks to the ground, which is useful if you're dealing with algae near the ground and somewhat of a hindrance if the algae are higher up in the tank.
Another chemical-free solution that you can consider is a mixture of baking soda, water and vinegar. Add two parts of white vinegar to one part of water and three heaped spoons of baking soda. Dip a scrubbing brush into the mixture and apply it to the algae stains on your furniture. Leave it for about ten minutes.
Q Here in the Pacific Northwest, one solution I have found effective in the removal of algae from our brick patio is to spray the surface with apple cider vinegar. I use a pump sprayer early in the spring on a dry day, and it lasts the entire year. The vinegar smells for a short time, but leaves nothing to wash off.
Do Not Mix. Muriatic acid is an effective cleaning agent on its own and should not be mixed with chemicals like bleach or potassium permanganate. Mixing these chemicals together produces chlorine gas, which can cause breathing problems and even death.
Muriatic acid will quickly liquify most metallics, consisting of iron, copper, and light weight aluminum. It can easily additionally diffuse cement, rock, mortar, as well as grout. Additionally, muriatic acid will take out blemishes from rugs as well as cloth.
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
oz. of 31.45% HCl. It takes 2% more sulfuric acid to equal muriatic acid (by volume) to accomplish identical pH and alkalinity reduction. Sulfuric acid is a comparable alternative to muriatic acid.