What You Need to Know About Red Algae in Swimming Pools

Have you ever been in a pool and noticed some red stuff growing beneath it? Some people have named these red algae, but are they red algae? If yes, what causes red algae in swimming pools? Let’s find out!

Can Red Algae be Found in Pools?

To begin with, the first thing we will do is to ascertain if those red things you see in pools are red algae. When it comes to algae, you need to know that there is a wide diversity of them. There are about twenty-one thousand species. And of all these species, there is no single one that has a red color.

Those red ‘algae’ you see are, in fact, bacteria. These red bacteria are carried into pools by swimmers, pool accessories, wind, or rain. The truth is there are bacteria everywhere around us hence why finding them in our pools should not be surprising.

Swimmers are the main source of this bacteria as it could be released from their skin. The bacteria then go-ahead to create a habitat for themselves in the water or on certain surfaces like pool cover, ladders, and pool toys. Pool chemicals have been known to help eliminate these bacteria, but if the chemicals are not properly balanced, they may multiply and grow rather than die off.

A thoroughly cleansed pool with the right balanced pool chemicals may not still be able to avoid this red bacteria as they can be blown in from the wind or rain in varying amounts. Garden hose used to fill pools can also introduce these bacteria to them.

How to Get Rid of Red Bacteria in Pool

Are you wondering how to get rid of red bacteria in pool? The first thing to do in your bid to cleanse your pool is to close it down. Then carry out the following;

1. Run your filter twenty-four hours daily until all bacteria is gone.
2. The pool’s chemical and PH levels should be balanced.
3. Brush away the visible red bacteria and vacuum your pool.
4. Get chlorine to wash the pool, or you can use any other sanitizer.
5. Pool toys and bathing suits should be washed with bleach.

This process may need to be repeated several times until all the bacteria are gone. You can open the doors for swimmers once the pool is thoroughly cleansed and its chlorine level is between 1.9-4ppm.

How to Prevent these Red Bacteria

After learning how to get rid of Red Algae in pool or bacteria, now that we know better, the next thing to do is to find ways to prevent them from recurring.

1. Allow your hose to run for some minutes before using it to fill the pool.
2. The pool cover should be cleaned at least twice annually, and you should place solar rings in the water too.
3. The filter material should be cleansed twice or thrice a year or by the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Encourage swimmers to shower before entering the pool and monitor the pool’s chemical balance regularly.

The truth is that this bacteria may never be completely avoided, but following these and taking regular preventive methods will help in controlling and even reducing its occurrence.

Conclusion

Red bacteria are commonly seen in swimming pools worldwide, and while they may not be particularly harmful, they are not a good sight for the eyes. If you own a pool and see them, you should try to take preventive measures to eliminate and remove them. If you don’t own a pool but visit one frequently, you can help out by ensuring that you take a bath before diving and using the appropriate pool materials.