What Happens If You Put Too Much Algaecide In A Swimming Pool ?

[Liz Seyi]

We have written in the past here at Pool Warehouse about how the term “algaecide” can cause confusion about what exactly this product does. Or to be specific, inexperienced swimming pool owners might imagine this chemical is designed to kill algae in the water, even though its central purpose is to prevent the onset of algae.

So, if you haven’t read that previous blog post of ours, we would recommend checking it out to educate yourself on the essentials of pool algaecide.
As a stockist of swimming pool chemicals, we are pleased to make available various options for algaecide. These include particularly strong winter algaecide, which incorporates a flocculant to help maintain pool-water clarity during the chillier months.

A few common effects of pool algaecide overuse

Whichever pool algaecide product you ultimately use, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions. The regular use of the recommended dose of algaecide – alongside other sensible measures to maintain your swimming pool – will help keep the water free of algae and in optimal condition.
However, there is also definitely such thing as putting too much algaecide in a pool. If you are guilty of this, you might see one or more of the following effects:
• The foaming of the water

This is the most frequently seen “symptom” of algaecide overuse in a swimming pool. This relates to chemicals known as surfactants, which are often found in soaps as well as in many algaecides. Surfactants work to produce bubbles, so it shouldn’t be a great surprise if putting too much algaecide in your pool brings about foamy water.
It’s important to remember that bubbles can also be created on the pool surface if there are air pockets within the filter system – so, overdoing it on the algaecide isn’t the only possible cause of this effect. However, the bubbles and foam that appear as a result of too much algaecide will be a lot smaller in size.
• Irritation to the skin and eyes

Excess swimming pool chemicals commonly lead to eye and skin irritation. The more you overdose your pool with algaecide, the more severe the resultant irritation is likely to be.
Again, it is important to bear in mind that eye irritation can be caused by other water chemistry imbalances, such as unstable pH and alkalinity levels, or excessive amounts of chlorine.
• Water cloudiness

Adding algaecide to a pool heightens the water hardness due to the introduction of more dissolved solids such as metals or polymers. The overuse of algaecide could bring about an especially dramatic increase in water hardness, leading to cloudy-looking water.
• Copper staining

Presuming the algaecide you have overused contains copper, there will be a greater likelihood of copper staining appearing in the pool than under usual conditions.
Copper staining occurs due to excess metals in the pool water falling out of the solution and building up on the floor and surfaces of the pool. These stains can vary in hue from greyish brown to mint green, and you will need a stain removal product to tackle them.

How can you remove excess algaecide from your pool?
In most cases, the best course of action will probably be to simply allow the chemicals to dissipate over time. As long as you continue maintaining regular chlorine levels in the pool, excess amounts of algaecide will gradually break down and normal levels will be restored.
To discover the complete range of swimming pool chemicals in the Pool Warehouse store – not least so that you can take advantage of our frequently heavy discounts – please visit the relevant part of our site, including the pool algaecide and clarifiers section.