Removing pool algae can feel like a never-ending battle, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Typically, recurring pool algae is caused by organic matter in the water, mostly nitrates and orthophosphates. It's also caused by pool chemicals concentrating after years of swimming and adding more chemicals to keep the water clean. Phosphates - the main food source for algae - accumulate and promote algae growth. Cyanuric Acid (CYA) levels also become too high and slow the chlorine's response time which makes chlorine unable to effectively kill the algae. This delay in time allows algae to reproduce faster than the chlorine can kill it which leads to a costly negative feed back loop of high chlorine cosumption and runaway algae growth.
This is usually fixed by draining and refilling the pool to lower chemical saturation and phosphate levels with fresh water. However, our cost-effective Reverse Osmosis Pool Water Purification can remove CYA and phosphates and keep algae away for longer without draining the pool.
How Reverse Osmosis Starves Pool Algae
Unfortunately normal pool filters can only filter larger debris and contaminants. Microcontaminants such as phosphates and chemicals such as Cyanuric Acid are too small. They pass through the filter and go back into the pool.
Reverse osmosis pool water purification uses a microscopic filter to remove what your pool filter can’t. This industrial technology that is used in municipal water treatment and desalinization plants can now be utilized in your pool!
We typically remove phosphate and CYA levels by 75% to 99%.
This breaks the cycle of recurring algae. With phosphate levels this low, algae won’t grow because it has nothing to build its cell wall and nothing to feed on.
Phosphate levels will naturally rise in any swimming pool because it is an open system. So we recommend using a weekly or monthly phospate remover treatment after reverse osmosis purification to keep phosphate levels low - below 125ppb. Reverse osmosis will create proper Cyanuric Acid levels (30-50ppm) to protect chlorine from UV degredation and allow chlorine to work quickly and destroy algae faster than it can form. This means that if your phosphate levels rise slightly, you can kill the algae immediately with chlorine.
Reverse osmosis saves you money in both the short term and the long term.
- Short term: You save hundreds to thousands of dollars because you don't have to refill your pool with new water.
- Long Term: You stop paying for algaecides and chlorine shock that only temporarily improve your recurring pool algae problem.
- Long Term: You stop paying your pool man extra to frequently perform algae treatments.
Other benefits of reverse osmosis:
- Water Conservation - You save tens of thousands of gallons of water, a precious resource in Southern California!
- Non-Toxic - We’re removing chemicals from your pool, not adding more.
- Enjoy the Process - You get to use your pool the whole time.
- Speed - The pool water purification is often done within 24 hours.
- Cleaner Pool Water - Water is purified to drinking standards!
At California Pool Co., we have a industrial, self powered, mobile reverse osmosis pool water purification unit that we will bring to your house in our trailer. We set the machine up by connecting it to your pool with hoses. When it’s running, pool water will flow into the machine and back into the pool constantly without changing the water level of the pool.
Your pool water will be fresh and clean within about 24 hours and algae will no longer be a pressing concern!
The Role of Cyanuric Acid in Algae Growth
Cyanuric Acid is a chemical crucial to a healthy pool. However, it must be in the correct range - about 30-50 parts per million (ppm). Too little or too much of it and the chlorine won’t work properly.
CYA is a stabilizer for chlorine. It protects chlorine from damaging UV rays and allows the chlorine to work for a longer period of time. Without Cyanuric Acid, the pool will be unsanitary because the chlorine will rapidly burn off and the pool water will be left without a cleaning / disinfecting agent. Many chlorine tablets and powders come with CYA in them to prevent this.
However, partially due to the extra CYA in these pool products, the Cyanuric Acid will concentrate over years. The levels of CYA rise every time more "stabilized" chemicals are added to the pool. The chlorine will eventually burn off from the sun, but the CYA won’t and will remain in the pool. High amounts of Cyanuric Acid prevent the chlorine from working fast enough to kill bacteria and viruses, leading to another unsanitary situation.
Pools with high CYA levels typically experience recurring algae blooms because the amount of free chloinre needed to effectively kill algae and water borne illness is a function of 7.5% of the CYA level. Typically, county health departsments allow 1-10ppm for safe free chlorine levels. If the CYA level is at 150ppm (not uncommon in a pool using tablets or di-chlor) the free chlorine demand would be 10.75ppm. This is costly and also harsh on your skin, swim suits, and pool equiment.
There’s no cost-concious way to remove pool algae in this circumstance without having purer water - either by draining the pool and starting over with fresh water or by using reverse osmosis to purify the contaminated water.
The Role of Phosphates in Algae Growth
Phosphates are organic matter that algae feed on. Leaves, dog hair, sweat from swimmers, detergents, some pool chemcials, municipal water, and fertilizer or dirt run-off are all examples of things that raise your pool phosphate levels.
Algae needs at least 125 parts per billion phosphates for it to grow. Zero phosphates in the pool is ideal so that algae can't build it's cell structiure and has nothing to eat, effectively starving the algae. Pools with high phosphate levels often experience recurring algae blooms because it takes a great deal of physical effort and chemical precision / quanitity to keep it at bay.
This leads to a frustrating, time-consuming and costly cycle for homeowners.
How to Lower Cyanuric Acid and Phosphate Levels to Fix Pool Algae
Pool stores sell chemicals and products advertised to lower CYA levels. However, the truth is that they are only mildly effective.
To truly kick recurring algae problems to the curb, your pool water needs a reset. The Cyanuric Acid and Phosphate levels must be dramatically reduced.
Our Reverse Osmosis Pool Water Purification is cheaper and more effective at this compared to the typical method of multiple phosphate treaments, filter cleans or draining the pool. This saves you time and money!
Our clients are thrilled with the results, often wishing they tried reverse osmosis years ago!
Ready to stop the cycle of recurring algae in your pool?
Click here for more info or call/text our founder, Matt at (760) 224 - 3278.