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.
In the same way that baking soda can be a spot treatment for black algae, household borax does the same for blue and green algae. Simply use the borax to scrub away algae that's sticking to your pool walls, then use the brush to dislodge it. Follow up by vacuuming up or scooping out the free-floating algae.
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.
Bleach is great for killing algae (and other organisms that may lurk in your tanks) and for keeping it from coming back.
Shock Your Pool
Shocking is the process of adding chemicals to your pool to raise chlorine levels and kill bacteria and algae. We recommend using a calcium hypochlorite shock to treat your algae problems.
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.
You can use a bleach and water solution made with Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach for cleaning algae and mold from exterior sealed non-porous surfaces like stucco and painted wood, siding, tile, brick and patio stone. In some cases, bleach and water are all that's needed to clean away mold and algae.
Barley straw. 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.
StoneCare4U Essential Algae Remover is a safe and easy way to remove algae from any 'hard' external surface. Its biodegradable formula can be used on a multitude of outdoor surfaces including paving, walls and roof tiles.
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.
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!
But he finds a homemade cleaning solution of white vinegar and water works for him. “Just mix equal parts of both in a spray bottle and give it a good shake,” he says. “Spray it onto the algae-covered area and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, gently scrub the surface with a soft brush to get rid of the algae.
Oxygen bleaches such as sodium percarbonate act to break down unicellular organisms such as moss roots and algae structures. This makes this product a very effective moss and algae remover. The percarbonate breaks down the moss spores that the moss uses to reproduce, reducing the chance of moss regrowth in the future.
Clorox® Pool&Spa™ Algaecide + Clarifier prevents and treats pool algae and includes a built in clarifier to keep water clear. Being one step ahead of algae is crucial because as algae grows, chlorine must work harder to keep your pool clean.
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.
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.
But as it turns out, copper pennies do a pretty good job of keeping algae away for a few days! Pennies made before 1982 contain copper and according to Google, “copper kills algae by binding to it, which damages the algae cells, causing them to leak and die.” I tossed in 10 pennies and waited for the results.
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.
The Bottom Line. Adding a Magic Eraser sponge to your pool skimmer is not a professional-approved pool maintenance technique. It may remove some algae, but it may also cause other problems you're not anticipating – including serious health risks.
Don't use more than the prescribed amount because it can cause the algae to die off too quickly, leading to an ammonia spike which is dangerous for fish. The peroxide will take effect within a few minutes, and the increased oxygen will last for a few hours.
Shrimp or delicate species To kill stubborn patches of algae (BBA, Cladophora), one can use HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3% concentration), using an eye-dropper tool (see below) to spot dose directly onto algae. Be careful not to exceed 1ml per gallon for delicate livestock.
Depending on the algae species, we recommend different dosages: In the case of blue-green algae: 8 to a maximum of 15 ml of the 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide per 50 liters of water. In the case of green algae: 25 to a maximum of 35 ml of the 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide per 50 liters of water.