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If you own or want to own a pool, then you must also learn how to clean and take care of one. It seems like something really stressful, right? That’s why most pool owners hire a pool cleaning service for hundred bucks. It is something you can actually handle yourself and it is fun too.
Peradventure your pool develops algae, whether black or green, you will need the action of an algaecide to get rid of them. Instead of buying a ready-made algaecide, you can make one yourself at a cheaper cost. In this article, we will learn about homemade algaecides for swimming pools.
Let’s dive in!
What is Algaecide for Pools?
What do you use to get rid of insects? We use insecticides! What about pests? We use pesticides. The same concept goes for algae. To remove algae from an area, we use Algaecide.
Algaecide is a chemical solution or constituent used to remove algae from a surface or prevent algae from destroying a particular structure.
Algaecide is a strong chemical solution that is usually used to rid the pool of any form of algae, whether green or black. Algaecide comes in two different types, which include natural and synthetic algaecides.
How to Make Homemade Algaecide for a Swimming Pool?
The primary purpose of the algaecide is to ensure that the pool is clean and safe to use. It doesn’t matter whether you purchased it from a local store or made one yourself. However, many people have begun to employ DIY methods because it is cheaper and economical. In this category, we will discuss DIY algaecides mechanisms and the steps involved in homemade algaecide for your swimming pool.
Step One
You cannot make a homemade algaecide without a few supplies. These are a few algaecide ingredients you may want to get. They include:
- A thin nylon stocking
- 1 cup of finely ground cornmeal.
- An elastic rubber band.
After getting these supplies, you can proceed to the next steps.
Step Two
Fill the stockings you got with a cup of finely ground cornmeal. Note that you will need more than a cup of cornmeal for a larger pool.
Step Three
After you have filled the nylon stockings with a cup of cornmeal, you need to tie the top with an elastic rubber band. Ensure the band is well-secured.
Step Four
Place the stockings filled with cornmeal in the pool. It will either sink or stay at the top of the water. Anyone is fine! The most important thing is that it comes in contact with water.
Step Five
After some minutes, remove the stockings from the pool. At that time, all the cornmeal in the stockings must have leaked away into the pool. There goes our DIY algaecide for your swimming pool. It is simpler, easier to use, cheaper and more accessible.
Natural Algaecide for Pools
Natural algaecide refers to natural items that can assist you in removing or preventing algae from growing in your pool. Here are some of the ones we found:
- Plants: Throw some plants into the water- green leafy ones. Green plants give off oxygen and improve the life of bacteria. Harmless Bacteria on the other hand feeds off on algae, thereby helping us to get rid of them.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: H2 O2 is a natural pool cleanser. It can be used to sanitize the pool acting as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Get about 35 percent of Hydrogen peroxide and use it to eliminate algae from your pool.
- Shower properly: Algae builds up due to dirty water. Try to shower before entering your pool to reduce the dirt leaving your body into the pool.
- Straw: A small bale of barley can naturally kill algae in your pool. Just throw some in the swimming and watch some magic.
The BBB Pool Method
The BBB pool method isn’t a new method for cleaning and maintaining your swimming pool. It has been in existence for a while. The three B’s stand for Borax, Bleach and Baking Soda. These three are easily accessible and can be purchased in a local grocery store.
The borax is usually used for raising the pH of the pool; the baking soda is used to raise the alkalinity and sanitize your water with the Clorox bleach. You will also need Muriatic acid in addition to the three chemicals to lower the alkalinity.
Conclusion
After using the BBB pool method algae will be removed because borax cleanses and prevents the outgrowth of algae. Instead of hiring pool cleaning services, you can save a couple of bucks daily or weekly to use DIY algaecide to take care of your pool.