As I browse the isles of pool supply places, I see so many different algaecides, at different prices. What's the actual difference? Is there a chart/primer here at TFP I can review?
Thanks!
Thanks!
So many algecides... which one to use?
- Thread starter jgold723
- Start date
Well...... generally we don't suggest ANY algaecides for routine use. Most people are under the misunderstanding that algaecides kill algae. They don't! They can help *prevent* algae....but that's all. Worse yet...the cheaper ones often contain copper which can seriously mess up your pool. Copper stains pool walls, and is what causes blonds to go green haired in the summer.
Our best advice is to just avoid it. Pool stores are full of potions we'd never recommend!
Our very limited suggested uses for algaecides are for during certain stain removal procedures or as an adjunct to closing the pool for the winter in certain climes. At that time we recommend the Polyquat 60 algaecide.
Keep your pool properly chlorinated and you'll never need an algaecide for backup.
Maddie
Our best advice is to just avoid it. Pool stores are full of potions we'd never recommend!
Our very limited suggested uses for algaecides are for during certain stain removal procedures or as an adjunct to closing the pool for the winter in certain climes. At that time we recommend the Polyquat 60 algaecide.
Keep your pool properly chlorinated and you'll never need an algaecide for backup.
Maddie
Ignore all algaecides and manage your pool water with adequate chlorine and the chlorine/cya chart. Algaecides are not particularly effective at clearing an algae laden pool.
I hear you and good to know about their lack of effectiveness, but I'm still curious as to the differences, if anyone knows.
Let me call in the chemist to 'splain it to ya.....
Ohhhhhhhh @JoyfulNoise <paging Joyful... paging Joyful...come in please!>
He's the bomb.dot.com for explaining chemicals around here
Ohhhhhhhh @JoyfulNoise <paging Joyful... paging Joyful...come in please!>
He's the bomb.dot.com for explaining chemicals around here
- May 23, 2015
- 24,474
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The only algaecide that TFP would recommend using (but not as a regular chemical addition) is polyquat 60. It’s the most effective quat based algaecide that is available and causes the least amount of trouble in a chlorinated pool. There are similar compounds called linear quat algaecides but those are cheap, less effective and can cause foaming as they breakdown. Other types of algaecides are either based on creating chloramine in your water (EDTA or ammonium based chemicals), metals like copper (very bad) OR bromine (very, very bad for a chlorinated pool).
Bottom line is this if - if you don’t need a algaecide for a specific reason, then don’t use them.
Bottom line is this if - if you don’t need a algaecide for a specific reason, then don’t use them.
