Tips to Get Rid of Mustard Algae in the Pool

Mustard algae looks like a common hot dog condiment...

Tips to Get Rid of Mustard Algae in the Pool - Mustard algae is so named because its color does look like a common hot dog condiment. It’s also known as yellow algae, and this is a type of pool algae that is typical of warmer locales. However, it can happen anywhere. The key is to act fast and get rid of it before it has a chance to spread.

Many pool owners think mustard algae is sand, dirt, or even a stain. That’s because of its color and the fact that it’s not slimy like green algae is. However, it still has a tendency to attach itself to pool walls, floors, accessories and even outside the pool itself. It can also attach itself to bathing suits, floats, tubes, and toys, which is why it’s so important to act fast. Once you realize you have mustard algae, throw out those items or disinfect them. Mustard algae can’t easily be killed by chlorine, so it can be stubborn to remove.

Here’s what you need to do to get rid of mustard algae in your pool:

1. Put equipment into the pool at the shallow end: When you place things like poles, hoses and other maintenance equipment together in the shallow end, you can sanitize them as you shock the pool.

2. Vacuum the algae: After filling your pool to the top, connect your manual vacuum cleaner and switch the filter to waste rather than backwash. You don’t want the algae to get into your filter because it can infect that too. Filling the water to the top will compensate for any water lost through this process.

3. Test the water. Using test strips purchased from the pool store, test the pH levels of your water, which should register between 7.4 and 7.6, with alkalinity between 120 and 150 ppm (parts per million) to ensure a more effective shock treatment.

4. Brush the pool. This will break up and release the algae to enable the chlorine to properly destroy it.

5. Shock your pool - Not just once or twice, but three times. That means three pounds per 10,000 gallons of water. The best time to do this is at dusk or nighttime, leaving your filter and pump running 24 hours a day until you are certain the algae is gone.

6. Brush the pool again. Repeat for a few days.

7. Check the pH and alkalinity levels the next few days, too.

8. Remove toys, floats and equipment from the pool after a few days.

9. Test the water once more after the last shock treatment. This will let you know for certain the mustard algae is killed off.

We realize this can be a tricky process, not to mention time consuming. That’s why you can always call your pool professionals here at Central Jersey Pools. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to come out and remove your mustard algae once and for all.