There are several thousand species of algae. Fortunately, it is easy to eliminate them … with the right treatment. But to find it, you first need to be able to identify the type of algae that proliferates in your pool. Here is a look back at the different types of algae in a swimming pool, and the tips for identifying them.
How to Identify the Different Types of Algae
All algae in swimming pools are part of the same family: diatom algae. It is a mono-cellular algae that multiplies by direct division. In other words, it multiplies rapidly. Diatomaceous algae appreciate humidity, heat, and light. That is to say, all the elements which one finds in a swimming pool. A significant proliferation of these algae causes coloring of the water, the walls, and the bottom of the swimming pool.
Although they all come from the large family of diatoms, there are thousands of species of algae. To distinguish what type of algae you are dealing with, you need to check two things:
- Its color (green, black, yellow, etc.)
- Its appearance (sticky, viscous, or easily detached from the walls of the pool
This is how we distinguish them, and recognize them.
Types of Swimming Pool Algae
Color, appearance… here are the different types of algae that you can (unfortunately) find in your swimming pool.
- Green algae: the pool water is uniformly green, and may or may not have spots on the sides and bottom of the pool, or on the pool accessories.
Appearance: they are sticky, vicious in appearance. The bottom and sides of the pool are then slippery. Green algae can also be found suspended in pond water. - Black algae: the pool water is not necessarily colored, but the algae form black spots on the walls and on the bottom of the pool.
Appearance: Black algae have a slimy appearance. They generally form in a tree structure. They can also appear on the joints of the swimming pool tiles.
- Mustard yellow algae: these algae mainly develop in the shaded areas of the swimming pool. They appear as yellowish colonies on the walls and on the bottom of the pool.
Appearance: unlike the previous ones, these are easily detached from the walls.
- White algae: they also develop in the shadow areas of the swimming pool. They appear in the form of masses of whitish algae.
Appearance: they have a slightly foamy or even cottony appearance, and easily come off the walls.
- Red / pink algae: these are red or bright pink colonies of algae that develop on the plastic parts of the pool. You will find them in priority on the skimmer, the liner, etc.