Algae is one of the biggest nuisances for swimming pool owners. While it may have hypothetically been the first form of life on this planet, that sort of heritage is less appreciated when it plagues the walls of floors of your entire pool, turning your pristine crystal waters a murky and dark green.
Thus, dealing with swimming pool algae swiftly, effectively and cost-effectively is a cause that lies close to companies like Clearwater Pool Systems and the hearts of all passionate pool owners – and there are several ways to deal with the green stuff.
The primary two options of water treatment for pools is through chlorine, and through ozone. Both have downsides, but it’s a combination of them that might give you the best bang for your buck.
All About Chlorine
Chlorine has a notorious history in chemical warfare, but its application in today’s pools is much less deleterious to your health. Whether it’s healthy, though, is questionable.
Chlorine, when it comes in contact with pool water, breaks down into two oxidizing compounds that kill algae and bacteria that could be harmful to your health, and the pristine beauty of your pool. For its fortitude in doing both, it’s also used in waste treatment plants and water treatment for tap water.
But long term use of chlorinated pools may not be all that great for you, says some science. Most especially, chlorine is damaging to the eyes according to a study published by researcher M Ishioka and a number of Japanese scientists in 2008, and hosted on PubMed.
Ozone As The Alternative
Although a powerful oxidant and a pollutant, ozone created by modern pool machines breaks down into harmless oxygen very quickly. This means its ability to kill bacteria is compromised over the long term – a problem in waste treatment – but for pools, it’s a preferred alternative.
