How to treat mustard algae in the pool?

Have you ever had the unpleasant surprise of discovering an unpleasant mustard yellow deposit at the bottom of your swimming pool? It's probably mustard algae.

Mustard algae settles easily in your pool. However, it is quite difficult to eradicate.

Nevertheless , rest assured, eliminating this algae down to the last germs is quite possible.

First of all, we will first show you how to differentiate them from other types of algae. The more we know about the enemy, how it behaves, the better we know about how to fight it.

Next, we'll talk about all the tricks that will allow you to end it once and for all. At the end, we will talk about all the precautions to take in order to avoid a recurrence.

2- RECOGNIZING MUSTARD SEAWEED:

• But where do these algae come from?

Mustard algae come with the grains of sand carried away mainly by the wind, by rainwater or by the feet. The stumps settle to the bottom of the water. When the conditions are right for them, they will multiply and become a whole colony.

• How do they multiply?

Your swimming pool is the favorite place for yellow algae if:

It is located in a permanently sunny area.

The nitrite level is very high.

The ph is not balanced.

The filtration system is not adapted to the size of the pool.

• How to recognize them?

Because of its color, they have been named "mustard algae". They are located at the bottom of the water or in all the corners and ends of your pool. They generally prefer shaded areas and undisturbed corners of your pool.

The strains multiply rapidly and come together to form a plaque. However, they come off quickly when the water is shaken off. At the slightest eddy, whether it's a bather entering the pool or trying to clean the water with a vacuum cleaner, the plate breaks up and the algae separate. Which makes it difficult to remove.

If you want to identify them, it is best to do so in the morning when the pool water has not been touched for several hours. The germs then look like very fine yellow sands that stick together.

Mustard seaweed is neither sticky nor gooey. They look more like little dusts that come together.

2- FIGHT MUSTARD ALGAE:

• Water treatment :

If mustard algae have been able to multiply in your swimming pool, it is because they have found a favorable living condition there. In order to put an end to their reign, it is essential to unbalance their living environment.

How to do?

- Balance the pH of your pool water: perform a test . If you find that the water is out of balance, try to restore the PH balance .

- Clean the filtration system: so that your pool is properly cleaned, make sure that your filtration system is fully operational. To do this, use a clarifier such as claritab flocculant or O clear 6000 L.

• Pool cleaning :

There are 2 techniques you can use to clean your pool:

a- Clean your pool with a brush. Even brush the parts where you can't see anything. Brush every corner, even the most hidden ones. Dismantle equipment such as skimmers or others because algae like shaded areas far from the agitation of the water.

After brushing, use a vacuum cleaner to suck up debris and waste from the bottom and sides of the pool.

If you still see infected parts, do not hesitate to iron the brush and then vacuum the rest.

b- You can also clean the pool with hydrochloric acid or high pressure washing. To do this, you must empty the pool, wash the internal walls and all corners, rinse and fill the pool again. Germs will not survive the acid. For this second option, it is no longer necessary to carry out the specific processing mentioned below.

• Specific treatment combining 2 products :

It is important to emphasize that conventional anti-algae, even at high doses, do not overcome yellow algae. They seem to disappear but come back after a few days. So how?

To eliminate mustard algae, sodium bromide is generally used combined with classic swimming pool oxidants. The easiest to find and use is chlorine .

3- AVOID RECURRENCE:

First, clean all equipment, toys, shirts or any object that has been in contact with infected water.

After cleaning, submerge them in the pool water while you treat it.

It's best to always keep an eye on your water balance, testing often. Also make sure your filter is working properly.

If you live in an area where the south wind blows, repeat the treatment twice during the season. Do not wait for the first symptom to recur to proceed with the treatment.

If, on the other hand, you are ready to empty your pool quite often, you can clean it with acid as we advised in the previous chapter.

3- IS IT DANGEROUS TO SWIM IN A POOL INFECTED WITH MUSTARD ALGAE?

Mustard algae feed on bacteria and viruses. This implies that your swimming pool becomes a small nest of microbes. In addition, the bottom becomes slippery when the colonies grow. It is imperative to get rid of it quickly before the plaques multiply and invade your pool.

Despite the fact that mustard algae is difficult to eradicate, rest assured, with regular maintenance, you can avoid it.