Polyquat algaecide for Swimming Pool Use

Polyquat algaecide, for Swimming Pools

Generally, higher chlorine is the best way to control or kill algae. But, occasionally, an algaecide can help. There's really only one product that you can use without risking some rather nasty side effects, including pool stains, green hair, problems with combined chlorine, or disappearing chlorine, and so one.
Polyquat is a product made by one -- and only one -- company, and it's NOT HTH, as illustrated here. However, I've seen the HTH brand 60% product sold at WalMart and KMart for as little as $12.75 per quart, which is a fantastic price. Remember to purchase the 60% product! Pool store and catalog prices tend to run $18 - $20.
Buckman Laboratories, in Memphis, TN, makes all the polyquat sold in the US, regardless of the label. Arch(HTH), BioLab (Bioguard, Omni, Pool Time, Aqua Chem, Sun, many others), LaPorte (Robarb, etc.) ALL simply repackage -- and possibly, dilute -- what Buckman makes. But, reading the label is critical. Polyquat is cheapest sold as undiluted from the concentration supplied by Buckman: 60%. So, check the label. If it says: poly [oxyethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene dichloride] it's polyquat, no matter what else it says!

Just in case you aren't sure, you can check the side label for the ingredient name:

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to all.

eccl