First, confirm it is in fact algae, see “Pool Water is Green” above.

Why does an algae attach occur?

• Bionizer anodes need replacing
• pH allowed to drift too high.
• High phosphate level in the pool water.
• High biological loading, such as large amounts of leaves in the pool and skimmer basket.
• Insufficient water circulation.
• Weather changed from mild to hot, and the Bionizer Ionising Time or Ionising Output was not sufficient to treat the pool.

How to treat the algae:

1. First, the algae needs to be killed. The quickest and easiest way to do this, is to Super-chlorinate the pool. See Super-chlorination on page 30 of your Bionizer Handbook.
2. Run the filter for 24 hours, to ensure that the Chlorine is circulated well throughout the pool and the filter.
3. Hint : Since you are using a Bionizer and are not likely to have any Chlorine stabiliser in your pool, Superchlorination should be done in the early evening, so that the Chlorine stays in your pool overnight. This way, you won’t have Cyanuric acid left in your pool after the algae attack has been removed.
4. Next, the dead and dying algae must be removed from your pool. Thoroughly brush down the sides and floor of the pool. Run the filter while doing this, so that the particles get trapped there.
5. Check your filter’s pressure gauge often. When the pressure rises to 50kPa or more ABOVE THE USUAL RUNNING PRESSURE, it’s time to backwash (sand/glass filter), or clean the filter cartridge (cartridge filter).
6. For a heavy algae attack, you may need to backwash or clean the filter several times.
7. Once the water has cleared up, there are several problem areas that you need to check for further algae infestation :

• • If you have a pool blanket, wash down the underside of the blanket with liquid chlorine, as there will be algae spores attached there. An easy and safe way to do this, is to fit the blanket into the pool upside down, and use a bucket of chlorine, your pool brush and a garden hose to wash it down. This way, excess chlorine that spills off the blanket only ends up in your pool, not on your lawn or pool surround.
• If possible, remove the “dress ring” that surrounds your pool light and check behind there. This is a favourite place for algae to hide.
• In and around the skimmer box also needs to be cleaned well.
• Any other nooks and hiding places, such as the underside of decorative rocks and so forth.

Following these simple steps will have your pool sparkling and clean again within 1 or 2 days, depending on the severity of the algae attack. 

How to prevent a future algae attack: 

Algae prevention is easy and economical with the Bionizer pool system. Follow these maintenance steps and you will spend more time swimming and less time working in your pool :

• Check your Copper level weekly, and adjust the Ionising Time and/or Ionising Output of the Bionizer as needed, to keep a level of between 0.5 and 0.6 ppM Copper in the pool.
• pH and Total Alkalinity are two of the most important pool parameters. Check them weekly and add acid and buffer as required. A pH Boss takes the time and guesswork out of pH, by measuring and controlling pH constantly whenever your pool pump is running.