The Best Ways To Prevent Pool Algae

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Pool algae can come rearing it’s ugly green head at the worst times. Uninvited, unwanted, and persistent as ever. And it’s the smallest factors that can cause it — from unbalanced pool chemicals to faulty pool equipment. But’s what’s most important is knowing how to prevent pool algae. If you’re already dealing with it, then check out our post on how to remove pool algae.

Otherwise, keep reading as we show you the best ways to prevent pool algae.

-Maintain a good pool care schedule

We put this first for a reason. And that reason is pretty simple.

Good pool maintenance habits can effectively eliminate algae growth from ever taking place. Because a well-maintained pool offers an environment that algae just can’t survive in. Clean water, balanced chemicals, and little to no debris buildup. Not to mention that a few of the tips below are part of what make up an effective pool care schedule.

In other words, one of the best ways to prevent pool algae is to prevent the possibility altogether. Keep your pool clean and your water flowing, and you won’t really have to worry about pool algae,

-Ensure proper water flow/circulation

Water flow is important for a few reasons:

It keeps pool chemicals evenly distributed through your pool
It helps maintain a consistent water temperature
It helps your filter keep your pool clean
It helps prevent algae growth from happening

It’s easy to see why keeping your pool water moving is so important. Circulation is the key to good filtration, optimal heat distribution, and of course, cleaner water.

Here are a few things you can do to ensure good circulation/water flow:

Empty out your skimmer baskets weekly
Empty out your pump basket weekly
Backwash your filter/ clean your filter regularly
Run your pool pump at least 8 hours a day

-Maintain the right chemical levels

Whether you use traditional chlorination methods or salt water chlorine generator, you know the having the right amount of sanitizer in your pool is important. It’s exactly what keeps your pool “clean”. But your sanitizer isn’t the only chemical you should mindful of.

It’s also important to keep a few other pool chemicals in balance as well. Otherwise, you very well good be growing food for future algae without knowing it.

You can view a full pool chemical maintenance list in our pool owner guide.

-Swim in the pool

You already know that circulation is one of the best ways to prevent pool algae. So you’ll be pleased to know that swimming is one the best ways to circulate your pool water.

Why is that you ask?

Well, when swimming enter the pool and start splashing around it stirs up the water. This kicks up any of the debris sitting on the pool floor, giving the filters another chance at picking it up. SO naturally, the more often you swim, the more of an advantage you’ll be giving your filter. Which translates into a cleaner pool. Talk about a win-win.

But maybe you’re not always in the mood for the usual afternoon swim. That’s fine! Here are a 40 swimming pool games you can play throughout the swim season.

-Make sure you filter is working properly

Running your pump regularly helps ensure that your pool is being adequately filtered. It’s easily one of the best ways to prevent pool algae because a well-filtered pool is a clean pool.

But unfortunately, running your pump can’t guarantee that your filter is working how it should. That requires a little effort on your part.

It’s recommended to clean your filter at least once a month, or when you notice any significant water pressure changes or filtration issues. This will ensure that it stays working properly.

With a sand pool filter, you may need to do a backwash every few weeks. If problems persist it usually means you have to replace your pool filter sand.

If you have a cartridge filter, then it’s just a matter of knowing when to clean versus when to replace your cartridge filters.

-Shock your pool at least once a week

There are a few good reasons to shock your pool weekly:

Makes pool chemical maintenance easier
Quickly sanitizes your pool
Can help control algae in early stages

Shocking your pool is another part of a good pool care schedule. It only serves to further strengthen all of your other pool maintenance efforts, so there’s really no reason not to. Plus, when your chemicals are more often in balance, you’ll spend less on pool chemicals altogether.

-Brush at least twice a week

Your filter system can do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your pool clean. But unfortunately, your filter can’t scrub your pool walls for you. And those pool walls? Oh boy, do they make a lovely home for pool algae and other sorts of debris.

So rather than giving algae the opportunity to get comfortable, let it know that it’s unwelcome from the start. By brushing your pool regularly, you take care of anything your filter might have missed. And of course, a cleaner pool means less heavy maintenance and more consistent chemical levels.

Note: A nylon brush is the best brush for all pool types (avoid brash metal bristle pool brushes)

You may be seeing a pattern with these tips. Alone, they may not be the best ways to prevent pool algae. But combine them, a quick realization is made:

Maintaining a clean pool helps KEEP a pool clean. And a clean pool means little no opportunity for algae growth.

Sure, pool maintenance may seem like a chore at times, but in reality, a good schedule saves you hours of hard work and tons on chemical costs.

–Vacuum your pool at least twice a week

Right after you brush, follow it up with a good vacuuming. It only takes a few minutes to do but keeps your pool looking clean as a whistle. But of course, the more often you vacuum the less debris and buildup you’ve have on the bottom of the pool. Eliminating the conditions ideal for algae growth. Which very well may make this one of the best ways to prevent pool algae.

-Use a phosphate remover monthly

Phosphate is algae food. Plain and simple.

So naturally, if algae can’t find any food, then it won’t want to hang around very long, or at all. Which is why using a phosphate remover is one of the best ways to prevent pool algae. It quite literally prevents algae growth from being possible by eliminating the fuel source.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, phosphates are naturally occurring and come off of contaminants like leaves, dirt, bodily oils, and other debris.

-Use an algaecide treatment monthly

Even if you’re not the greatest at pool maintenance, you can still keep algae at bay with a regular algaecide treatment. It’s not the most cost effective solution, and it’s definitely not the best way to prevent pool algae, but it’s nice quick fix for the overworked pool owner.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to incorporate an algaecide into your pool care schedule every now and then. You know, just as an extra line of defense during the busier months.