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.
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.
Chemical methods for removing algae from surfaces often include chlorine, copper, and hydrogen dioxide. The chemicals can either be helpful or not depending on the application and the different algae present.
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.
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.
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!
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.
I decided to test a theory, and sterilized everything by rinsing/soaking it with a mixture of isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) and water overnight. I have used the tank for other things since then, and I think this method killed all the 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.
Mix two gallons of water, two cups of oxygen bleach, and one cup of borax. Stir the recipe until everything dissolves. Add ¼ cup of dish soap and stir. Apply the cleaning solution and scrub with a brush.
Apply a mustard algaecide following the label directions. Allow the water to circulate for 24 hours. Use a pool vacuum or backwash the pool again to remove the remaining dead algae. In persistent cases, brush the pool and apply algaecide once more after two to four days.
Thick layers of algae, called algal blooms, may form when nutrients (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen) build up in the water in amounts in excess of naturally-occurring nutrients. Fertilizers, pet waste, improperly functioning septic tanks, grass clippings, leaves, and other yard wastes are all sources of nutrients.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To test it, Nannini placed a Magic Eraser inside a jar that she filled with green water. The Magic Eraser absorbed some of the algae in the water, however, it did not completely remove the algae from the water.
Note: Rock salt @ 1 pound per 100 gallons can kill stringy algae and aquatic plants. Remove excess algae or aquatic plants before dosing with this level of salt. The decaying vegetation will pollute the pond and reduce oxygen levels. Be careful when adding salt to your pond.
Yes, dilute apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a great choice for combatting algae in your bird bath the natural way. The higher pH value of the ACV makes it too acidic for algae to grow.