Results for "copper algaecide"

Algae Green Pool Easy 15 minutes 41 👍 1

Pool Algaecide Types: Quat vs Poly-Quat vs Copper

Nobody warned me the algaecide aisle would feel like a chemistry exam. My pool store's manual just says 'add algaecide weekly,' but when I actually went to buy some, there were four completely different product types all using that same word — a cheap 'quat' bottle for $14, a poly-quat one for $50, a blue copper-based formula, and something mentioning sodium bromide. The manual acts like they're interchangeable, which clearly they're not given the price gap.

I've got a 20,000-gallon plaster pool that stays open May through October here in Georgia. Right now I'm in maintenance mode — no visible algae — but last summer I had a bad mustard algae breakout that took weeks to clear. I want to actually understand what I'm buying this time. Which of these types is doing what, which ones foam, which ones can stain my plaster, and which one makes the most sense for weekly prevention versus nuking an active bloom?…more

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Salt Water Medium 1-2 hours for testing and treatment 216 👍 0

Can Salt Water Pool Turn Hair Green? Prevention & Solutions

Planning to enjoy our new 25,000 gallon saltwater pool this summer, but I'm completely stumped why my daughter's blonde hair keeps turning green after every swim. I always thought salt water pools were supposed to be gentler than traditional chlorine pools, so I'm confused about what's happening here.

My salt cell has been running normally and chlorine levels test around 2-3 ppm, which seems right. The pH hovers around 7.4 and alkalinity is at 120 ppm. I've tried different shampoos and even bought a clarifying treatment, but the green keeps coming back after she swims. Is there something in salt water that causes this discoloration, or am I missing something with my water chemistry? I really want to figure out how to prevent this from happening again.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 4-6 hours 1,275 👍 16

Can I Shock Pool After Adding Algaecide? Complete Guide

Spent all morning watching my pool turn green with algae patches and now I'm holding bottles of algaecide and shock with no clue which to use first. But I'm not sure about the timing - can I add both in the same day? Should I put the algaecide in first, or does it matter?

Also, if I can use both, how long should I wait between adding them? Don't want to mess up my water chemistry or waste expensive chemicals by doing this wrong!…more

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Algae Green Pool Easy 15 minutes 351 👍 0

Do I Need Algaecide in My Pool? Pool Care Guide

I opened three different algaecide advice sources and got three different answers: pool guy says skip it, store says weekly doses, forums are completely split. I see algaecide products at the pool store and some neighbors swear by them, but I'm not sure if it's actually necessary or just extra insurance. Should I be using algaecide regularly, or only in certain situations? I just want to make sure the water quality is safe and clean for my kids to swim in without overdoing it on chemicals.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 2-3 days 1,867 👍 21

How Long After Shocking Pool to Add Algaecide? Complete Guide

The pool service guy insists I wait a full 24 hours after shocking before adding algaecide, but that seems excessive when algae keeps spreading. I have two young kids who are eager to get back in the water, and I want to make sure I'm doing this chemical treatment properly.

Should I wait a certain amount of time between the shock treatment and adding the algaecide? I'm also concerned about when the water will be safe for swimming again. What chlorine levels should I be looking for before adding more chemicals, and how do I know when everything is balanced enough for the kids to swim safely?…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours over multiple days 479 👍 18

Can You Use Pool Filter Sand in Your Garden? Complete Guide

During this morning's pool filter sand swap, I spotted this massive pile of perfectly good sand that I'm about to dump in the trash. The pool store told me it's just silica sand, but I'm worried about chemicals and chlorine that might still be in it from filtering pool water.

I've heard that sand can help with drainage in heavy clay soil, which I definitely have in my backyard. But I want to make sure I won't harm my plants or vegetables if I use the old filter sand. Do I need to clean it first or test it somehow? Any advice from experienced pool owners would be really helpful!…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 15 minutes reading, varies for application 294 👍 1

How Pool Algaecide Works: Complete Chemistry Guide 2026

I replaced three different algaecides in two months, my 20,000-gallon pool still gets green spots weekly, AND my perfect chlorine levels aren't preventing anything. I've tried copper-based and polyquat algaecides, but I'm curious about the actual chemistry behind how these products work to kill algae.

My current chlorine levels are around 2-3 ppm and pH is 7.4, but I still get green spots forming on the walls every few weeks. The pool guy says algaecides work differently than chlorine, but he couldn't explain exactly how. I'd love to understand the science behind what's happening at the cellular level when algaecide contacts algae, and whether I should be relying more on higher chlorine levels or these specialty chemicals for prevention and treatment.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 2-4 hours including wait time 1,189 👍 24

Should You Vacuum Pool After Adding Algaecide? Step-by-Step

I looked outside this morning and there's this overwhelming musty, swampy stench hitting me from the pool with chunks of dead algae floating everywhere after adding algaecide two days ago. The water looks like a swamp but at least it's not getting worse.

Should I be vacuuming this stuff up now or waiting longer? I don't want to mess up my filter with all this crud, but I also can't stand looking at this disaster anymore. What's the right timing for vacuuming after algaecide treatment?…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-4 hours 256 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Winterizing Kit? Complete Decision Guide

Already standing in the pool supply store aisle staring at rows of winterizing kits with no clue which one I actually need to keep my water safe for next season. I've been looking at those all-in-one winterizing kits at the pool store, but I'm wondering if they're actually the best option or if I should be buying the chemicals separately.

My main concern is making sure the water quality stays good throughout the winter months. Are the pre-packaged kits reliable enough, or would I have better control over water safety by purchasing individual winterizing chemicals? I want to do whatever gives me the most peace of mind that the pool will be ready and safe for the family come spring.…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-6 hours 203 👍 0

Do I Need Pool Closing Chemicals? Complete Winter Guide

Staring at my pool after that brutal cold snap hit last week, I'm scrambling to winterize but drowning in conflicting advice about which chemicals I actually need. Some people say I need a whole arsenal of closing chemicals, others tell me just throw a tarp on it and call it good.

I really don't want to deal with a swamp when I open it back up in spring, but I also don't want to buy a bunch of stuff I don't actually need. What are the must-have chemicals for winterizing? I've heard about algaecide and antifreeze but not sure what else or if those are even necessary.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 2-4 weeks for biological solutions 383 👍 0

Can You Use Pool Algaecide in Pond? Safety & Alternatives

Every time I look at this green algae mess in my pond, I wonder — can I use pool algaecide without killing my fish? Have koi and goldfish. Pool algaecide sitting in garage - can I use it or will it kill my fish? Need quick solution.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours over 2-3 days 377 👍 1

Should You Shock Your Pool Before Winter Closing?

Finally figured out why my neighbor's pool stays crystal clear all winter while mine turned into a swamp last year — is shocking before closing the secret? They're telling me I need to shock before adding winterizing chemicals, but of course they're also trying to sell me their premium shock treatment for twice what I can get it elsewhere.

Is shocking actually necessary before winter closing, or is this just another upsell? If I do need to shock, does the timing matter with when I add the other winterizing chemicals? I'm tired of spending a fortune on pool maintenance when I feel like half of what they recommend is just to boost their profits.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 436 👍 1

Can You Filter Pool Water to Drink? Safe Methods & Risks

Replaced my emergency water storage with a pool filtration system idea since shortages are coming — but am I about to waste money on something unsafe? My pool is about 20,000 gallons and I maintain it with standard chlorine tablets, algaecide, and pH balancers. The chlorine levels are usually around 2-3 ppm, and I add shock treatment weekly.

I've seen some advanced water filtration systems advertised that claim to remove chemicals and contaminants. Would something like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration be able to remove all the pool chemicals like chlorine, cyanuric acid, and other sanitizers to make it safe for drinking? I'm concerned about the health risks but need to understand if there are any reliable methods that could work in an emergency situation.…more

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Maintenance Medium 4-6 hours 207 👍 0

How to Winterize Your Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Tried winterizing my pool last week using online guides, but algae is already forming — did I screw up the process somehow? What's the proper order? Chemistry first or cleaning? How low should water go? What chemicals do I need?

Don't want to mess this up and deal with a green swamp come spring. Last year skipped some steps and regretted it.…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-6 hours 306 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide

Standing at the pool store listening to this guy insist I need to drop hundreds on winterizing chemicals and equipment for my above ground pool when I'm not even convinced it's necessary.

The guy at the pool store mentioned something about winterizing when I was buying chemicals last week, but I didn't want to seem clueless so I just nodded along. I live in the Midwest where it definitely gets cold in winter - like below freezing for months. Is winterizing actually necessary for above ground pools, or is it just something people do to be extra cautious? I'm trying to figure out what I absolutely need to do versus what's just nice to have.…more

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