You're ready for some quality time with your family by the pool. But it was hindered by something blue that destroyed the clarity of the water. Not unfamiliar is moss - the culprit that not only detracts from the beauty of the pool, but can also cause health problems. Moss also clogs the filtration system, reduces the effectiveness of chlorine, makes the pool surface slippery and hides dangerous objects underwater. Moss is also a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and parasites, such as E. coli, salmonella and giardia.
To treat mossy pool water, you need to determine what type of moss you have and treat the pool water with appropriate chemicals, as well as not forgetting to clean the pool surface. . You also need to maintain water balance in the tank and good water circulation to prevent the return of moss. In this article, we will also guide you through detailed steps to treat mossy pool water.
Identify Types of Moss
There are many different types of moss that can appear in swimming pools, each with its own color, shape and properties. You need to know the type of moss you are dealing with to choose the right treatment method. Here are some of the most common types of moss in swimming pools:
Green moss: This is the most common type of moss in swimming pools. It is green or blue in color and can float in water or cling to pool surfaces. It is caused by poor filtration, unbalanced water, low or unstable chlorine levels, or poor water circulation.
Black moss: This is the most difficult type of moss to handle in the swimming pool. Actually, it is not moss but bacteria. It is black or blue in color and can adhere to porous pool surfaces, such as cement or mortar. It can penetrate layers of paint or vinyl lining and take root in cracks and tile grout.
Yellow moss: This is a rare type of moss but also difficult to handle in swimming pools. It is muddy yellow or reddish brown in color and can float in water or stick to pool surfaces. It can tolerate high chlorine levels and often occurs in areas with little or no sunlight.
Pink moss: This is the rarest type of moss in swimming pools. Like black moss, it is also bacterial. It is pink or red in color and can float in water or stick to pool surfaces. It can cause cloudy pool water and unpleasant odors.
You can identify the type of moss by observing its color, shape, and location in the tank. You can also use water testing instruments to measure indicators such as pH, free chlorine, total chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness and metals. These indicators will help you determine the cause of moss and choose the appropriate treatment method.
How to Treat Mossy Pool Water
After determining the type of moss you are dealing with, you need to treat the pool water with appropriate chemicals to kill the moss and restore water balance. Below are detailed steps to treat mossy pool water:
Step 1: Shock the Pool
Shock is the process of increasing free chlorine levels to kill microorganisms and moss in water. Shocking is usually done weekly or when there are signs of moss. It can be done with concentrated forms of chlorine such as calcium hypochlorite or dichloride. It's best to do it in the evening to avoid sunlight, which reduces the effectiveness of chlorine.
To shock the pool, you need to follow these steps:
Measure the free chlorine level of pool water with a water tester. The best free chlorine level for swimming pools is 1 to 3 ppm.
Calculate the amount of chlorine needed to shock the pool. Typically, you need to increase the free chlorine level to 10 ppm for effective shock.
Step 2: Use Moss Killer
Algaecides are chemicals designed to kill specific types of moss in swimming pools and can be used in combination with chlorine for enhanced effectiveness. Mossicides come in different types, such as copper-based mossicides, ammonium-based mossicides, quaternary ammonium-based mossicides, polyquat-based mossicides, and peroxide-based mossicides. You need to choose the right moss killer for the type of moss you are dealing with.
To use moss killer, you need to follow these steps:
Measure the pH level of pool water with a water tester. The best pH level for swimming pools is from 7.2 to 7.6.
Calculate the amount of moss killer needed for your swimming pool. You can refer to the product label or consult with the supplier for the correct dosage. Typically, you need to use 0.5 to 1 ppm (parts per million) of moss killer for each type of moss.
Add algaecide to the pool water according to the manufacturer's instructions. You can add it directly to water or dilute it with water before adding. You should add moss killer in places with good water circulation, like near pumps or filters.
For moss killer to work effectively, you should leave the pool unused for at least 24 hours. You should also keep the pump and filter running continuously during this time.
Step 3: Clean Pool Surfaces
After treating the pool water with chlorine and moss killer, you need to clean the pool surfaces to remove moss debris and dirt. Brush, vacuum and scoop pool surfaces regularly to prevent moss regrowth.
To clean swimming pool surfaces, you need to follow these steps:
Brush pool surfaces, including walls, floors and steps, with a pool brush suitable for the pool material. You can find a brush that works well on cement or stucco pool surfaces, but be careful as it may damage acrylic, fiberglass, vinyl liner, or painted surfaces. You should brush pool surfaces at least once a week or when there are signs of moss.
Suck pool surfaces with a pool vacuum. Swimming pool descaling machine uses the suction power of a filter pump combined with a number of swimming pool descaling tools such as: bottom suction table, flexible hose, aluminum pole ,... creating perfect and quality swimming pool cleaning equipment. The device has the ability to clean all dirt and moss from any location on the bottom of the lake, the middle layer or the upper layer of the water, providing clear, clean, bacteria-free water. You can use a manual or automatic pool vacuum. You should vacuum pool surfaces at least once a week or when there are signs of moss.
Use a pool skimmer to pick up leaves, garbage, and insects suspended on the water surface, helping to support swimming pool cleaning. You should clean the water surface at least once a day or when there are signs of moss.
Measures to Prevent Moss Growth
It is better to prevent moss than to then try to remove it. To prevent moss growth in your pool, you need to maintain pool water balance and good water circulation. You will also need to use moss killer regularly and clean pool surfaces regularly. Here are some measures to prevent moss growth:
Measure and adjust pool water indicators such as pH, free chlorine, total chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness and metals with water testing tools. You should test your pool water at least once a week or when there are changes in water conditions. You should maintain the following indicators for your pool water:
pH: from 7.2 to 7.6
Free chlorine: from 1 to 3 ppm
Total chlorine: no more than 5 ppm
Alkalinity: from 80 to 120 ppm
Calcium hardness: from 200 to 400 ppm
Metal: no more than 0.2 ppm
Add chlorine to the pool water in appropriate doses to maintain free chlorine levels between 1 and 3 ppm. You can add chlorine to your pool water in many ways, such as bars, tablets, granules, liquid or gas. You should add chlorine to places with good water circulation, like near pumps or filters.
Shock the pool weekly with concentrated forms of chlorine such as calcium hypochlorite or dichloride to kill microorganisms and algae in the water. You should also shock the swimming pool when there are signs of moss or when there is an increase in visitors, bad weather
Add moss killer to the pool water in the appropriate dosage to prevent moss growth. You can use different moss killers depending on the type of moss you are dealing with, consult the product label or consult with your supplier for the correct type and dosage. Add moss killer to areas with good water circulation, such as near pumps or filters.
Clean pool surfaces regularly with a broom, vacuum and scoop to remove moss debris and dirt. You should brush, vacuum and scoop pool surfaces at least once a week or when moss appears.
Use a pool cover when you are not using the pool to reduce sunlight and reduce water evaporation. Pool covers can also help prevent leaves, insects and other contaminants from falling into the pool water.
These are basic measures to prevent moss growth in swimming pools. However, you can also use other measures depending on the conditions and requirements of your swimming pool.
In addition, you can use our pool algae cleaning equipment and chemicals to help make the treatment and cleaning process simpler and more effective. Some equipment and chemicals you can refer to are
➕Rivington 2 in 1 water testing kit
➕VanTam Chemical
➕Rivington swimming pool care accessories
Hope this article has helped you better understand how to treat mossy pool water. Wishing you fun and safe moments in your swimming pool! 😊