Avoiding Algae in Swimming Pools

Avoiding Algae in Chlorinated Swimming Pools

Steps Toward AVOIDING Swimming Pool Algae

Back to the General Algae Avoidance page

Swimming Pool Algae AVOIDANCE Steps for Chlorine Pools

DO's

DO use a chlorine feeder, floater or salt generator.
DO purchase USE a complete testkit.
DO test and maintain appropriate chlorine and stabilizer levels. See table.
DO shock with the right chemical. See table below
DO limit your chlorine chemicals to the basics: bleach, cal hypo, dichlor, trichlor, or cal hypo.

DON'T's

DON'T use oxygen shocks unless you have no other choice.
Oxy-shocks are NOT algicidal, and may result in creating algae-fertilizing residue.
DON'T use 4-n-1, combo, or 'Lite' shocks.
They are overpriced and appear to contribute to many problems
DON'T let your stabilizer level go below 30 ppm.

USE the following table to determine appropriate minimum chlorine levels:

Water temperature	Stabilizer Level	Min. Cl level
below 75 deg. F.	below 40 ppm	1 ppm
	40 - 70 ppm	1 ppm
	70 - 120 ppm	2 ppm
	120 - 160 ppm	3 ppm*
75 to 85 deg. F.	below 40 ppm	1 ppm
	40 - 70 ppm	2 ppm
	70 - 120 ppm	3 ppm*
	120 - 160 ppm	5 ppm*
above 85 deg. F.	below 40 ppm	1 ppm
	40 - 70 ppm	3 ppm*
	70 - 120 ppm	5 ppm*
	120 - 160 ppm	7 ppm*

*drop-count chlorine measurement necessary for pool maintenance.

USE the following table to determine appropriate shock material:

Your method of chlorinating:	Calcium Level	Stabilizer Level	Appropriate shock material
bleach	any	< 40 ppm	dichlor
	< 240 ppm	40 - 70 ppm	any
	> 240 ppm	40 - 70 ppm	bleach or dichlor
	< 240 ppm	> 70 ppm	bleach or cal hypo
	> 240 ppm	> 70 ppm	bleach
cal hypo	< 240 ppm	< 40 ppm	dichlor
		40 - 70 ppm	any
		> 70 ppm	bleach or cal hypo
	> 240 ppm	< 40 ppm	dichlor
		40 - 70 ppm	bleach or dichlor
		> 70 ppm	bleach
trichlor	< 240 ppm	< 40 ppm	dichlor
		40 - 70 ppm	any
		> 70 ppm	bleach or cal hypo
	> 240 ppm	< 40 ppm	dichlor
		40 - 70 ppm	bleach or dichlor
		> 70 ppm	bleach
salt	< 240 ppm	< 70 ppm	dichlor
	< 240 ppm	> 70 ppm	bleach or cal hypo
	> 240 ppm	< 70 ppm	dichlor
	> 240 ppm	> 70 ppm	bleach

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