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Algae is a plant, and wants to grow in your pool for the same reason it grows in ponds, lakes, streams and oceans. Water is it's natural habitat. Although in its simplest form, algae is not a health issue, it will lead to potential problems when it start attracting mosquitos, bacteria, etc. So the trick is to prevent it in the first place, or get rid of it as soon as you see it. Adequate (but not too much) chlorine will generally prevent algae growth, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is the presence of high levels of phosphates. Phosphates are biologicals such as skin cells, decomposition of leaves, dirt or fertilizer blowing into pool, etc. This becomes food for the algae and allows the algae to fight off the killing power of chlorine. The advise below is assuming you have just a small bit of algae: Shock the pool with chlorine. Brush the algae off the walls and floor as best you can. Run your filter 24 hours. Brush the pool again to remove any algae missed the day before. Run your filter another 24 hours. Thoroughly clean your filters. Use chlorine neutralizer to bring chlorine level blow 5 ppm before swimming.

Have your water tested for phosphates. Treat if levels are between 250 ppb and 2000 ppb. Higher levels will require partial draining. Your local pool store can give you additional advise on shock, phosphates and tell you if it is safe to partially drain a pool in your location. Never totally drain your pool unless you know the geological stability of the ground below your pool.

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Related Questions

Can fertilizer cause algae to grow?

Yes. Algae are plants. Fertilizer is plant food.


What are the 3 things in fertilizer that cause algae to grow?

The three main components found in fertilizer that can cause algae to grow are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When these nutrients are washed into water bodies, they can stimulate algae growth, leading to excessive algae blooms that can harm aquatic ecosystems.


What causes algae bloom?

Algae blooms are mainly cause by pollution in water. For example, fertilizer that pollutes the water like in streams or rivers...etc.There is always some algae on water, When nutrient in the water is available for algae to grow it will simply grow until it runs out of nutrient. These nutrients have often been introduced as a result of farming and drainage practices.


How could an algae bloom cause problem to the lake ecosystem?

it kills animals in the water.


Why is fertilizer bad for the environment?

It can go into lakes and rivers and cause red algae or the algae bloom, and it blocks sunlight so it kills underwater plants.


Why do algal bloom occurs?

An increase in nutrients can cause algae growth and reproduction to increase dramatically into a bloom.


What are some of the processe that allow a river to change from a young river to a mature river?

Eutrophication is caused by phosphate fertilizer. It causes algae bloom and will age a river.


What are some of the processes that allow a river to change from a young river to a mature river?

Eutrophication is caused by phosphate fertilizer. It causes algae bloom and will age a river.


Phosphates and nitrates entering a lake can cause an explosive growth of algae called?

An "algal bloom".


Does fertilizer runoff impact water supplies?

Most agricultural and lawn fertilizers cause algae to grow. Whether that is considered beneficial depends on whether algae is a desired product. Fertilizers can be intentionally applied to holding ponds to cause algae growth, while unintended fertilizer runoff can cause oxygen-depleting blooms that harm the environment.


An overpopulation of saltwater algae is called a?

An algal bloom.


How do you encourage longer bloom time?

Fertilizer. A healthy plant will bloom longer.