Posts Tagged ‘algaecides’

Pool Cleaning 101: Filters

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Essentially, there are two important things that a pool owner has to consider when he or she wants to keep her pool at a healthy condition. 1. Constant running water; the kind of water that go on good circulation and will unlikely have the chances of getting stagnated. 2. Proper filtration; where it keeps the dirt off the precious pool.

Proper filtration in your pool will not only ascertain that the water will not get filthy; it also gives you assurance that bacteria is prevented from every infesting your pool. Something of ulterior importance to any pool owner. Come to think of it, who would want to swim over a pool full of sickness causing bacteria?

There are 3 types of pool filters that are widely used my most pool owners today. Let’s take a look at them and how they function.

1. Sand Filters

All sand filters have basically three things in common. 1. They all make use of sand (while others utilize sand & gravel combinations). 2. They flow through the top, then right down to the sand filters which will practically strain all dirt and debris off the water. 3. Clean water is then permitted back into the pool once it’s already cleaned.

Sand filters are perhaps one of the oldest known methods of water filtration known to man. Way even before during the time of ancient civilizations, they already make use of sand to filter out dirt from their water linkages in order to make the water potable.

They are very effective cleaning mechanisms when you are not making use of any chlorine oriented cleaning agents such as biguanides.

2. Cartridge Filters

All cartridge filters also make use 3 common denominators that make it work well: 1. Generally, all cartridge filters make use of specially pleated fiber cartridges to catch dirt and debris out of the pool. 2. Water goes through inside of the tank which will then proceed to the cartridges to be filtered. 3. Clean water is then flowed back to the pool.

Cartridge filters are generally large in size. The pleated fiber material can reach as large as several hundred square feet, very much larger than that of residential sand filters which sizes range only below 4 square feet. Due to its considerable size the chances of it getting dirty in between cleanings would take a while.

3. DE Filters

DE filters are perhaps the finest filtration mechanism there is available in the market. DE Filters make use of septum, finger-like grids that sift out dirt and even microorganisms as small as 2-5 microns in size, the size of some microscopic algae and large bacteria.

DE filters will filter out the dirt with their septum, and thoroughly clean the waters until even the smallest organisms are sifted. Then the cleaner water is flowed back into the pool.

Read more pool cleaning tips and visit this article about pool cleaning filters to gain more infos.

Chemical Treatments For Pool Cleaning

Monday, July 12th, 2010

You practically have 2 main reasons why pool owners should always make it an appointment to keep their swimming pools maintained periodically: 1. When dirt accumulates it will lead to destroying your pool. Filth will pile up in every part of the place until such time they stick there for good. Thus you would have to go through the hassle of having your pool professionally overhauled; this practically entails additional expenses. 2. Dirt causes bacteria build-up in your pool. Bacteria will not only destroy the well-being of your pool but to you and your family as well, as it will cause sickness to everyone who would come in contact with them.

There are a lot of pool cleaning options available in the market. One of the most popular ones is the use of chemical based agents in cleaning in the pool. Chlorine based cleaning agents are amongst the ones mostly used by pool owners. They are proven effective to wear off germs from your pool waters. Below are two pool cleaning mechanisms that make use of chlorine:

1. Swimming Pool Shock

Pool Shocks are advisably to be used at least once a week. Especially when the pool is used quite too often within the time being, or after a heavy rain, and or during extended hot seasons like summer. Pool Shocking is simply “extremely chlorinating” your pool. Thias means that the chlorine content level of your pool is increased drastically to saturate the water with the chemical to ensure that all bacteria in it is eradicated. Every pool owner should have a basic knowledge about this method being one of the most commonly used treatment option.

2. Algaecides

The usual cause why your swimming pool becomes mossy and slimy is the presence of algae in it. In order to abate this condition, the use of algaecides is practical. There are 3 different most common types of algae that infest pools. The black, green and mustard. The green algae are obviously the green slimy stuff that floats around your pool. Also they stick on the in betweens of the pool wall tiles and floor giving it the slippery slimy feel. Black are ironically not black. They are more of greenish blue pigments that float around the pool as well. Mustard algae looks like dirt and often mistaken as dirt.

All of the mentioned treatments above are chemically based. Albeit them being effective in cleaning you pool, there comes natural hazards along with their usage. It is important to note precautionary measure each and every time you make use of these treatments.

read more on pool cleaning tips by going through this article about pool cleaning chemicals to gain additional inputs.

How To Clean Green And Murky Pool Waters

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Are you having problems in personally dealing with that murky green pool of yours? Here are some effective ways to clean that right away.

1. Ensure that you have a good water flow. Make it a point to clean your filters and or baskets.

2. Keep an eye on the water pH level. The higher the alkalinity of the water is, the more prone it becomes to algae.

3. The next step will be to shock your pool using algaecides. Algaecides are highly chlorine based chemicals that treats your pool from bacteria. To ensure wise purchase of algaecide, you could consult friends whom have previously used it before for their review. Or research on the internet about product reviews.

4. Run a 24 hour test on your pool filter and then run it again to see if the water is indeed cleansed. At this point, your pool may be swarmed with dead algae on the floor, making it look cloudy and murkier. This indicates that the shock was effective.

5. Dead algae will then come afloat on the pool. You can use your vacuum to suction the floating algae off the water. Keep going until you feel that your pool is visibly clean.

Another way to deal with pool cleaning is by using cartridge filters. They are effective in cleaning the pool as well. Here are ways how to:

1. Kill algae by using a lot of chlorine or algaecide.

2. Clump floating algae after treatment by using a coagulator spray. A coagulator spray will coagulate the floating algae into clumps you can easily pick with a skimming net. Use the spray a night of a day before, then by tomorrow coagulated algae are ready for your picking.

3. Add DE (diatomaceous earth) minerals to further sift and filter the remaining dirt from the pool. DE filters are very effective in filtering very small organisms inhabiting in the pool which are usually overlooked due to its microscopic sizes. DE can catch organism, dirt and debris as small as 2-5 microns in size.

4. Switch on the vacuum and have it run with a pressure exceeding 35. You can then clean afterwards.

5. Repeat step 4 if necessary.

But bear in mind that is always better to not have to go through these steps just right about almost every time. Prevention is still King. Here are some tips:

1. Keep your pool chlorine levels regulated. Keep them at a level where no algae can ever thrive in you pool waters.

2. The cartridge filters do not usually last on long term usage. Every after cleaning, make it a point to buy new ones if possible.

If you want to know more about taking care of your swimming pool read this article about pool cleaning tips and you are sure to find some helpful advices to guide you in your pool cleaning tasks.