The appearance of brown algae on the bottom of the pool is a sign of the beginning of an infestation of mustard algae. This is one of the most difficult types of algae to get rid of, and gets its name from its yellowish-brown color.
Fine debris such as dust, sand and dirt is carried into a pool on the feet of swimmers or on the breeze. While a skimmer removes larger items such as leaves or insects, fine matter drifts to the bottom of the pool and forms a layer of sediment.
Getting Rid of Brown Algae in a Swimming Pool. A swimming pool with a buildup of algae on the walls or floating on the pool surface is unsightly and unsafe for swimming. Here are the essential steps to take for getting rid of algae in your pool and to restore your pool's water.
And brown stains concentrated on the bottom can likely be attributed to dirt stains, typically enhanced by calcium buildup. The first step to deal with organic materials is to shock your pool, and scrub it. This will take care of organic material present in the pool, and the scrubbing will take care of the stains.
Brown algae may release toxins when they die. These can cause illness in humans and aquatic life. In general, if algae proliferates, you should avoid touching the water.
Depending on the type of surface in your pool, you can use a brush to scrap it clean with or without water in it. If the pool has a soft vinyl liner, you will use a rubber or nylon brush to keep it clean. If the pool has a concrete floor and walls, a stiff and course brush will do the trick.
If your pool is looking brown, and murky, try adding a Flocculant such as the Vitalyse Fast Floc. Perfect to use after rainstorms this concentrated formula binds dirt and mud particles together and drops them to the bottom of the pool floor where they can easily be vacuumed.
Using Fill Water From a Well
Wells are commonly known to be one of the greatest sources of metals in a swimming pool, especially copper and iron. Iron reacts with chlorine to form iron III chloride, which is reddish in color. This is why your pool may turn to brown or rusty color when chlorine is added.
This dreaded color of water is often caused by algae buildup. Keeping your swimming pool pump running and adding an algaecide and pool shock will usually take care of this issue. One thing to look for is the buildup on your pool's surfaces.
Can you put too much shock in a pool? SKIMMER NOTES: It's unlikely but it could happen. It would take a lot of shock to really make the water unsafe for swimming. The best way to make sure you're safe to swim is to test your pool water and make sure free chlorine levels are between 1-4ppm for healthy swimming.
Since brown algae is extremely chlorine-resistant, several other chemicals such as shock and an algaecide specifically designed for mustard algae will help get rid of the infestation. This will often result in cloudy pool water, so use clarifier to correct this problem.
Use A Pool Vacuum
Brushing down the pool walls loosens the dirt so it can either float and be filtered out, or sink to the bottom of the pool. To get rid of all the sediment on the pool floor, you vacuum it up!
Bleach. If your tank decorations are coated with brown algae, soaking them in a bleach solution every few weeks will help. They'll need to be rinsed thoroughly with water or soaked in water for a few hours to neutralize the bleach before putting them back in the tank.
But is it safe to swim in a pool with 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.
In many cases the algae bloom will die off within a few days, but you will still need to address the cause of the bloom. If you don't see results in 48 to 72 hours, another course of action is recommended.
High doses of chlorine, like pool shock, can cause temporary cloudiness as it kills contaminants. High levels of pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are more likely to cause cloudy water.
Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.
The cold water, anything below 65°, has an impact on the ability of the chemicals to dissolve properly. I would recommend using liquid chlorine if you have to shock in lower temperatures. You can dissolve granular shock in warm water. Perhaps it will work if you completely dissolve it before adding it to the pool.
Brown pool water is often caused by metals (iron) becoming oxidized in the pool water. If you shocked your pool water and it turned brown you probably have metals. Oxidized iron usually turns a brown or rusty color in the water.
When the pH of water is high, water loses its capacity to hold microscopic minerals and metals in suspension. This means that the brown minerals and metals often found in pool salt will plate out (or precipitate) to the pool floor and walls and leave a dark stain.
Fill your bucket about ¾ of the way with warm water. One pound at a time, add the calcium hypochlorite to the bucket. Stir it gently until the sanitizer is completely dissolved. Walk around your pool, pouring the mixture into the water slowly and evenly.