Many plants grow in pools, algae are one of them. While it’s not dangerous for people to breathe, it can be an eyesore and a health hazard for the family if left unchecked.
Algae are a problem for many pools and spas, especially copper piping.
The algae cause issues in the water, like producing nitrates, which are toxic to humans. Algae also create slimy mats on the bottom of your pool. This can prevent circulation, causing it to get even worse.
The only way to remove algae from your pool is to drain it and scrub the bottom with an algae removal product or brush.
Table of Contents
What are algae?
Algae are single-celled plants or protists. They have chlorophyll and can photosynthesize to produce food for their cells. The algae are aquatic, meaning they live in water.
Algae play a role in the ecosystem because most convert sunlight into energy that fuels their growth.
The green colors show where chlorophyll is located within the protist cells to absorb light and produce food for cell metabolism. The blue is the protist cells themselves.
What makes algae toxic is that they have a toxin in their cell called microcystin, where high concentrations can be dangerous to humans and animals.
The main reason algae are hazardous to humans and animals is that they can be poisonous when consumed.
Can You Vacuum Algae From a Pool?
Yes, you can vacuum algae from a pool using a standard home vacuum cleaner. However, be sure to use the correct type of cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Best Vacuum For Algae
Never use any kind of harsh chemicals or abrasives on your pool surfaces, as this could damage them.
Also, it would be best if you took care not to vacuum algae into your filters.
To ensure that most of it is removed from the pool water and does not end up in your filter, use a small net or large-mesh skimmer on an extension pole to collect smaller particles first before vacuuming the water.
After removing algae from the pool, clean the pool walls with a chlorine-free cleaner and rinse with clean water. This will ensure a safer and cleaner swimming pool.
Types Of Algae That Grow In a Pool
Many types of algae can grow in a pool. The most common is cyanobacteria, which includes blue-green algae and microcystin producers.
These types of algae produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals if ingested. Other types of algae include chlorophyll-producing algae, phytoplankton, and diatoms.
Chlorophyll-producing algae contribute to the color and clarity of the water in a pool. Phytoplankton on the other hand is a microscopic organism that feeds on organic matter.
Diatoms from singular cells called spores, can float through water populations and reproduce at low rates.
Why Are Algae Produced in a Pool?
Algae are produced in a pool because sunlight penetrates the water and reaches the algae. The photosynthesis that occurs allows these cells to produce food for their growth.
Algae can also be grown due to many nutrients or light running the water. This causes an overgrowth of algae in a pool.
This can cause signs of algae growth such as discoloration, cloudy water, and an off-odor to the environment. This algae growth can be dangerous and cause skin rashes, eye irritation, or asthma.
Algae also appear in stagnant water and hot tubs where there is too much light and nutrients present.
Algae are produced by chemical reactions between the sun’s rays reaching the surface of the water and various nutrients in the pool.
How Do Algae Affect Your Pool and Your Health?
Algae can cause your pool to remain cloudy and discolored, which might lead you to believe that the water is too dirty.
While algae blooming in a pool does not necessarily mean that there are chemicals present or anything questionable about your swimming experience with it, microcystin toxin produced by some blue-green algae do have profound health implications if ingested.
Additionally, long-term exposure to chlorine caused by high levels of chlorination is one reason for the formation of algae.
It can also be caused by high pH levels and too many nutrients in a pool, such as chlorine, which reacts to form chloramines.
A lack of circulation or an increase in temperature will cause more rapid growth for algae due to the higher light needed for photosynthesis.
Algae do not usually cause any injuries.
However, you should contact your doctor if you are allergic to certain types of algae or have asthma and end up with a skin reaction from the swimmer’s exhalation or inhalation of chlorine-based chemicals in pool maintenance & disinfection products.
Swimmers can also experience irritation if the water is cloudy, which is not necessarily caused by algae but rather bacteria that contribute to this effect.
What to do if your pool is green and has algae?
You can take many steps to ensure that your pool is safe for swimming.
The first step, which should be taken immediately after discovering algae in a pool, is to clean it thoroughly.
Use an appropriate chemical drain cleaner and mechanical equipment such as vacuum cleaners.
You might need more than one such tool to get the job done properly.
Drowned out algae can be removed mechanically by draining it from your pool and removing it with a net or vacuum.
However, this is not recommended at times because of its composition, which could contain dangerous chemicals.
Furthermore, if you choose to clean the pool manually, you should use a brush to remove debris and algae, as this is not harmful.
Final Thoughts
Swimming pools are a fun and enjoyable way to spend time in the summer, but they must be kept clean for everyone’s safety.
When algae are found in a pool, they should be cleaned immediately. You should use an appropriate chemical drain vacuum cleaner and mechanical equipment such as vacuum cleaners.
If manual cleaning is used, make sure that the pool is well-ventilated and not cleaned in direct sunlight, as this could cause heat stress to your family!
