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There are many different forms of algae. The
last I heard the count was well over 20,000. These algae are broken
down into four basic families: green algae, mustard or yellow algae,
black algae and pink algae.
The green algae is the most diverse group with
over 7,000 species. They are a paraphyletic group because they
exclude the Plantae. Green algae is usually green (hence the name)…
it’s usually slimy and found attached to the sides and bottom of
pools. They typically form in areas of poor circulation (dead spots)
and can take over your pool in as little as a day. In vinyl linear
and fiberglass pools, algae can be particularly dangerous because it
is very slippery.
Treatment depends on a lot of factors, but
typically you start by brushing down the sidewalls and bottom in order
to put the algae in suspension. The next step involves chemical
treatment. It’s important to find the cause of the problem before you
can treat the condition. After you chemically treat your pool, make
sure to clean your filter and allow it to run for at least a 10 - 14
hour cycle. |
