How To Get Algae Out Of Pool Without A Vacuum? – 3 Easy Ways

You might have noticed a carpet-like green layer on wet walls, water bodies, or in the woods. Aquatic plants, known as algae, often form a carpet-like green layer on wet walls, water bodies, or in woods. These plants, also called phytoplankton.

The presence of algae is never good news, especially on man-made structures. In addition to being primary producers, algae are attracted to other animals and plants. Leaving them in the pool for too long could compromise its structural integrity. Getting rid of them as soon as possible would be best.

There are many ways to keep algae out of your pool. Prevalent procedures use pool vacuum cleaners to get rid of them. But what if a vacuum goes bad when you need it? How to get algae out of pool without a vacuum?

Here we will discuss some preventive and removal measures. These measures will help you to get algae out of the pool without a vacuum.

How Algae Harms The Pool?

Algae harm your pool in many ways. Firstly, they harbor many kinds of bacteria. These bacteria are very harmful to the skin. Some might cause medical conditions like ear infections, skin irritation, etc.

Secondly, being a primary producer, they are food for many animals and insects. So with their presence, you might also notice small insects and animals around the pool. Some of them might be venomous; some could be a health risk. In the worst-case scenario, predator animals might turn to your pool. Snakes looking for frogs is a common sighting in the algae-filled pools.

Lastly, they clog up your pool filter and sanitation system. They have a bigger size than what a filtration system can filter. As a result, the filter gets clogged. Algae tend to get stuck in sanitation pathways lowering efficiency. They make walls and floors slippery, which might cause accidents. Phytoplankton also affects the tiles and plasters in a negative manner.

These are the reasons why it is important to know how to get algae out of the pool.

Types of Pools and How Algae Affect Them

There are many types of swimming pools out there. It is not possible to go through all of them. We will briefly discuss how the most popular four types of pools get affected.

Concrete:

People like to use concrete because of the longevity it provides. But these types suffer the most when phytoplankton grow in them. They push air into concrete and interfere with cement hydration. Such acts reduce concrete’s strength.

Fibre Glass:

This type of pool is a popular choice because of its durability. It also suffers the least from algal activities.

Vinyl Liner:

It uses a vinyl sheet that goes between the water and the pool. This means water does not get to touch the bottom of the walls. They are susceptible to algae growth because algae might grow underneath the sheet and go unnoticed.

Above Ground:

Cleaning algae from the above ground pool as soon as possible is important. Because the structure is made of aluminum and steel, both of these metals are rust-prone. Phytoplankton produces Oxygen in the water. And, Oxygen is responsible for accelerating the deterioration process of these metals. Unless you are getting rid of algae in the above ground pool, they will reduce the expected lifetime of the pool.

How to Get Algae Out of Pool Without A Vacuum

If you found algae in the above ground pool or on the premises, you know you have to do some cleaning. There are three methods you can follow in cleaning if you do not have access to a vacuum. We will now discuss them in detailed steps.

1. Use of Algaecide

This is a relatively easy method than manual cleaning. For inground or above ground pool algae removal, follow these steps:

• There are different algaecide for different algae. You can get a multipurpose algaecide or specific to the one you have.
• Make sure you have a clean filter, and the pump is working.
• Wear protective gear.
• Mix it into the water as per the instruction manual.
• Turn on the pump and let the pool sit overnight.
• Adjust the water’s pH the next day.
• Check the filter, and clean it if it is clogged.

Frequent use of algaecide is beneficial as there will be fewer wastes to filter. So, the filter and pump would have to work less. Another benefit is that you would not need much chlorine to purify water. As a result, water will be more pleasing to swim in. You will suffer from red-eye much less frequently.

2 Use of Shock

Don’t get hyped up thinking we are going to electrify the pool. The process of adding chemicals to raise the free chlorine level is known as shocking. In case you don’t know, free chlorine is referred to as the amount of chlorine not yet got mixed with water. As an effect, free chlorine kills bacteria and phytoplankton.

For getting rid of algae in above ground pool, follow the instructions. These steps will be equally useful to inground pools too.

• Use protective gear like gloves, and eyewear before you start the process.
• Check if the water has a proper pH range.
• Prepare the chemical according to the instruction manual. Different packages have different methods of preparation.
• It is the best practice to pour the shock solution in the evening because UV ray in sunlight reacts with chlorine and dissolves it.
• Wait at least 10 hours for the solution to work its magic.
• You need to filter the water for at least 24 hours to get rid of dead algae.

The main benefit of using shock solution is that it kills both algae and bacteria. But, be careful of maintaining a healthy chlorine level. This is the best answer to the question of how to get algae out of pool without a vacuum.

3 Manual Labor

Suitable for small to medium-sized pools. It takes a lot of time and determination to clean manually. But once completed, it will be restored to mint condition. Here are the steps to follow.

• Get a pair of gloves, a brush, sieve material, and some tennis balls.
• First, thoroughly clean the filtration system.
• Throw tennis balls into the pool and let them float for a while. Algae get stuck to them very easily.
• To clean the bottom of the pool without a vacuum, you have to brush it off. Make sure the brush suits your pool.
• Now it is time to get sieve materials into action. Use them to remove dead algae from the pool.
• Keep brushing off and using a sieve until you are got rid of all phytoplankton.

The manual method is very labor-intensive and takes a lot of effort. It is better to use chemicals instead of trying manually. We recommend it as a last resort.

How to Get Algae Off the Bottom Of the Pool

Vacuuming algae from the bottom of a pool is no easy task. You might have to deal with two types of algae. They are dead ones and the ones are alive. You will have to apply different processes to get rid of them. Using a pool vacuum for algae removing would be a good idea, but what if you do not have one?

The Easiest thing to do will be to turn on the pump and filtration system. As the pump circulates the water, all dead algae will eventually get caught in the filter. It might take some time, depending on how much cleaning the pool needs. Once you are done, remember to clean the filter after you are done. This process only works if they are dead. Algae actively living on the floor or walls would not have much effect.

For living algae, you have two options. You could use chemicals to kill them, or you will have to brush them off. Use the brush to peel off their layer from the bottom. Once uprooted, they will float in the water, which will be easy for the filtration system to filter them out. If you have a weak filtration system, get sieve materials. Getting rid of some phytoplankton manually would help the filter.

Preventing Algae in The First Place

Knowing how to get algae out of the pool without a vacuum would save your pool and money. Algae are born of spores. Spores can get into the water in many ways. Wind, storm, and swimmer all can work as carriers. So, sooner or later, you will have to deal with algae.

Following these steps, you can try to prevent them from filling the whole pool.

1. Shock the pool regularly, specially after-party, gusty winds and storms.
2. Keep sanitizers nearby. Use them as soon as you notice any.
3. A good circulation system would prevent the build-up. Often the pump and filtration system.
4. Algae feed off the phosphates. Make sure to use enzymes and chemicals to neutralize phosphate in the water.
5. Always take a look at the floor and walls. If you notice any clusters, brush them off promptly.

You might notice preventing costs less than curing. If you remain vigilant for prevention, you will save costs significantly. They were right when they said prevention is better than cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

Algae in the pool are every owner’s worst nightmare. But no matter how hard you try, it is impossible to escape from it. You can only try to prevent it and minimize its effects. Cleaning the pool is hard; it is even harder to do without a vacuum. But that does not mean the pool should be untreated.

By now, you know how to clean the bottom of a pool without a vacuum. So, do not get nervous if the vacuum breaks down. Broken vacuums will not stop you now. Because you already know how to get algae out of pool without a vacuum.