Maintaining a sparkling pool goes beyond skimming the surface and running a robot pool cleaner. Keeping the proper chemical balance, especially pH level, is extremely important in algae issues. In the other direction, too high of a pH in your pool may make it a suitable environment for algae to grow, turning it into a green, murky disaster.
But what does high pH have to do with your pool water, and how does that make way for algae to grow in your pool water, anyway, and what impact does that have on the adjustment of your pool, and how does a pool robotic cleaner come into play in all of this? We’ll also discuss how supplementary equipment such as pool vacuum robots, skimmers, and pool vacuum cleaners can help combat algae.
What Occurs When Your Pool’s pH Is Too High?
This is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water in your pool. The healthy pH balance of pool water is in the range of 7.2 to 7.6. Once you understand what happens when the pH is too high (alkaline) it will elucidate some of the issues:
Reduced Effectiveness of Chlorine: Chlorine plays an important role in killing bacteria, viruses, and algae in your pool. However, when the pH is too high chlorine becomes ineffective. In a pool low in lime, algae grow at a faster pace.
Algae Growth: Elevated pH makes it easy for algae spores to settle and grow, promoting algae growth. Algae will grow rapidly, clouding your pool water and turning it green.
Calcium build-up: A high pH can also cause calcium carbonate to precipitate out of the water with a concomitant build-up in pools, pool surfaces, equipment as well as skimmers and pool vacuums.
How High pH Affects Algal Growth
When the pH level of your pool is too high, several conditions combine to become the ideal breeding ground for algae:
Chlorine becomes less effective: As noted earlier, when the pH of the pool increases, the chlorine will not kill off harmful organisms (like algae) as well. This makes for the perfect breeding ground for algae.
Clouded water: When pools are high in pH, calcium will precipitate out of the water and can lead to cloudy and murky pool water. This can offer algae a greater chance to grow undetected.
Still water: [A pH of] 4 cannot be worse than that. Well, this is where robot pool cleaners like Beatbot AquaSense Pro and pool vacuum robots step in. These devices circulate the water to minimize where algae can settle and grow.
How to Correct High pH and Avoid Algae Growth
Now that you understand how high pH promotes algae growth, let’s discuss how to correct it. Here’s what you can do to get your pool back in balance:
Test the pH Regularly
Preventative Measures: Regular Testing If you want to prevent high pH levels in your pool, you have to ensure you are using a pool test kit regularly. This will provide you with the information you need to correct any imbalances before algae have a chance to thrive. The pH ideally should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
Add pH Lowerer (Muriatic Acid or pH Minus)
After adding a pH reducer, such as muriatic acid or some sort of pH minus product, if the pH is too high (above 7.4) you can decrease it. These chemicals will help restore the pH to the proper level. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the right amount based on your pool’s size.
Increase Chlorine Levels
After balancing your pH, raise your pool’s chlorine levels to ensure the water remains sanitized and free of algae. Shocking the pool with additional chlorine would kill any existing algae and bacteria.
For regular cleaning, a pool robotic cleaner
After you correct the pH, keep your pool clean with a robot pool cleaner. A swimming pool robot cleaner, such as Beatbot iSkim Ultra, would help remove algae and dirt, which can lead to more algae growth. These cleaners can scrub the walls, floor, and waterline to make sure algae doesn’t get a chance to settle.
Take Care of Your Pool’s Circulation System
Good circulation is also key to preventing algae. Have a pool vacuum robot to help get the water circulating and remove debris. Ensure that your skimmer and filter system are working properly to prevent stagnant areas that are conducive to algae growth.
More Tools to Assist with Algae Management
Besides balancing pH and employing a robot pool cleaner, here’s some other gear that keeps algae at bay:
Pool Skimmer: A skimmer is an excellent implement for collecting debris that lies on the water surface, helping to mitigate the amount of organic material that sinks to the bottom to potentially foster algae growth.
Pool Floor Cleaning: A vacuum cleaner for the pool or a vacuum cleaner robot will help you remove algae, dirt, and debris from the floor of the pool. This is particularly important when algae has settled and requires mechanical removal.
Algaecide: If algae have already taken hold, an algaecide may be used. This chemical treatment is designed for algae and can inhibit its return.
Maintaining Long-Term Prevention: Algae-Free Pool
After you’ve corrected the high pH and have your pool clean, preventative measures to keep algae from coming back are important. Here’s how to keep a pool free of algae:
Test & Adjust pH Regularly: Always test every week and adjust your pH levels accordingly to keep it at an ideal level.
Keep Your Robot Pool Cleaner Working Regularly: This robot pool cleaning device will help you stay ahead of debris build-up and dirt, preventing an algae outbreak.
Maintain Your Filtration System: Ensure your pool filter is clean and operating effectively to circulate the water and expel any particles algae can cling to.
Cover Your Pool: Use a pool cover to keep the pool debris-free, reducing the chances of algae growth when not using it.
Conclusion
Yes, this high pH (the measure of a pool water’s acidity) can help to keep algae alive: It reduces the effectiveness of chlorine and creates a breeding ground for algae! But with the help of robot pool cleaners, like the Beatbot AquaSense, regular pH testing and adjustment, and ensuring optimal filtration, you can keep algae at bay. Using a swimming pool robot cleaner to keep your pool clean and maintaining circulation is important to keeping your pool clear and algae-free.
