Algae in pools or spas will not only look unsightly, but they can also cause health problems for swimmers. Algae release toxins that can cause skin irritation, eye problems, and respiratory issues. Ingesting algae-infested water can also lead to gastrointestinal problems. So take action to control algae growth in your pool or spa by using an algaecide.
We’ve reviewed 16 products and compiled a list of the 5 best pool algaecides, with the PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 being on top of that. On the list, you’ll find options that target all types of algae as well as specific types, like green, blue or yellow algae. Most of them will work for up to 3 months, but there are also some that last up to 6 months. Read on to find the right algaecide for your pool.
More features: ideal to use with chlorine, salt, UV or ozone systems
After we reviewed dozens of pool algaecide, we concluded that the PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 is the best choice out there for the majority of users, and this is why we featured it as our editor’s choice. This algae eliminator can be used with a variety of systems, including chlorine, salt, UV, and ozone, and has a capacity of 13.1 oz. With a lasting period of six months, the PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 makes pool maintenance hassle free, as you don’t have to remember to replace it more often than twice a year.
The PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 contains a proprietary blend of minerals as well as a specially treated alloy cylinder that work together so the low levels of chlorine can be more effective in water. The chlorine lasts for longer because the minerals in the pool or spa are replenished as they come through the cylinder. The PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 algae eliminator is suitable for use with all types of algae and works in pools of up to 20,000 gallons. Rechargers are available for those who want to use this algae eliminator in bigger pools.
More features: non-foaming, compatible with salt systems, suitable for pools and SPA
Suitable for green algae, the Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006 is a 60% concentrate algaecide that can remove just about any type of algae from spas and pools and it also prevents re-occurrence after use. The non-foaming formula is safe for use in all types of pools and doesn’t cause any kind of damage at all. The high concentration offers better clarity for the pool, and the product is compatible with salt systems as well.
Because it doesn’t disperse in water immediately after use, the Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006 lasts longer than many of the other products we reviewed. However, you should also note that you shouldn’t use the pool the same day you used this algaecide. Besides doing a great job at eliminating algae and preventing them from reoccurring, Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006 also kills other organisms in water, thus leaving your pool free of any kind of contamination. Reviewers who tested this product mentioned that it works as expected in the majority of cases, and that it can be safely used on above ground pools. The Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006 comes in 1 qt bottles and you can use it in all types of pools and spa, including salt-water ones.
More features: non-foaming, non-staining, compatible with salt systems
Our budget pick, the SeaKlear algaecide, is efficient against multiple types of algae, including blue-green, green, black and yellow algae. With a lasting period of 90 days, SeaKlear leaves the water in your pool crystal-clear thanks to its non-foaming and non-staining formula. The product is compatible with saltwater, so you can safely use it in just about any type of pool. Besides killing most types of algae, SeaKlear also does a good job at preventing them from reoccurring, so you can enjoy clear water for longer.
With a formula that contains 11.8% copper sulfate pentahydrate, SeaKlear comes in 1 qt bottles that are recommended for pools of up to 10,000 gallons. According to the manufacturer, two bottles may be required to get rid of severe algae growth. Many of the consumers who tested and reviewed SeaKlear reported that the product does its job as expected. However, some of them mentioned that the actual lasting period is less than the 90 days listed by the manufacturer. SeaKlear is one of the best choices we have reviewed when it comes to the elimination of mustard algae. Keep in mind that you cannot use the pool the day you use this treatment to clear the water.
More features: non-metallic, for all pool types
If you’re looking for a non-metallic algaecide that can tackle most types of algae, the Pool Mate 1-2150-02 is an excellent solution. It can eradicate green, yellow, black and pink algae and is compatible with the vast majority of pools. The product is only available in two 1 qt bottles and is very easy to use even if you haven’t used an algaecide product before. In terms of how much to use, 2 or 3 oz per 10,000 gallons/ week is enough for effective results.
Users who tested the Pool Mate 1-2150-02 mentioned that this product provides great results in vinyl pools, but also in those made of concrete, gunite, or fiberglass. Unlike many of the other algaecide products on the market, this one only requires you to wait for up to 15 minutes before using the pool. The Pool Mate 1-2150-02 kills the algae, and you need to remove them from the pool by cleaning after 24 hours.
More features: 6-in-1 product, non-foaming, compatible with salt systems, copper-free, swim immediately
A six-in-one product that eliminates algae from pools and spas and also does an excellent job at preventing them from reoccurring, hth Pool Algaecide Ultimate Algae Guard is the best solution we found against green algae. While it also works on combating yellow algae as well, this algaecide truly shines against the green type. This product has a non-foaming formula and is compatible with saltwater, so you can use it in most pools.
Something that we liked when reviewing the hth Pool Algaecide Ultimate Algae Guard is the fact that you can swim immediately after using it in water, which is not something you can do with all of the products available on the market. According to many reviewers, this algaecide is very easy to apply and is highly efficient in both pools and spas. It is available in 1 qt bottles and the lasting period indicated by the manufacturer is up to 90 days. The hth Pool Algaecide Ultimate Algae Guard helps protect the water in your pool and spa from future algae blooms.
Pool algaecides are the most effective and easy way to get rid of the algae that made your pool their home. Choosing the correct type of algaecide to use in the pool may seem like a daunting process, particularly because there are lots of things to take into account, from the type of algae you want to eliminate to the price of the product. This buying guide can help you identify the best pool algaecide for your pool.
Algae is the general name given to a large number of aquatic microorganisms that can conduct photosynthesis. You may be familiar with some types of algae such as seaweed or pond scum. The vast majority of algae live in aquatic habitats, and they are essential for the wellbeing of all forms of life that live in the water.
When it comes to pools, however, algae are more of a nuisance, and definitely not something you want to see near you when you’re enjoying a swim. As such, getting rid of algae is on the top of the list of every pool owner, so it’s important to identify what types of algae have found their way into your pool and purchase the correct type of algaecide to eliminate them.
Besides the type of algae that you want to exterminate from your pool, there are other essential factors to take into account when browsing through the multiple types of algaecide available on the market. These include the lasting period, foaming, clarifying, stain removing, and price.
Multiple types of algae can find refuge in pools, and while there are algaecide available on the market that are efficient against them all, some products only work on particular types of algae, so it’s important to identify them before purchasing a product.
The lasting period refers to the amount of time the product is effective after you apply it to the water in the pool. There’s nothing more frustrating than using a pool algaecide only to find regrowth the next week. Most of the products we reviewed and included in our top guarantee 90-day protection, but some of them are more efficient than others. The PoolRx Pool Unit #101066, our editor’s choice, for example, has an extended six-month lasting period.
As you want to protect your pool from algae throughout the season, look for products whose effects last for at least three months. The same rule works for water tanks in water rowing machines, because normally users don’t like to change water in them too often.
If you are looking for a product that you can apply before closing the pool for winter, a 6-month lasting one would be a good choice, such as the PoolRx Pool Unit #101066.
Some algae can stain the pool, but you can easily solve that problem with the help of an algaecide that eliminates stains. Keep in mind that copper-based algaecides can stain the pools themselves, so use them carefully.
Low-quality algaecides tend to add foam on the surface of the pool after you use it, and this can be rather annoying, as you don’t want to do the extra work of removing the foam together with the dead algae. You can avoid the extra hassle by choosing a product with a non-foaming formula, which allows the water to clear quickly, which means that you don’t have to wait for a long time before being able to take a dip in the pool. In order to be able to prevent foaming altogether, it’s essential to apply the product according to the instructions provided by the producer.
Most users want their water to be crystal-clear after they use an algaecide, so if you’re one of them, look for a product that clarifies the water as it eliminates the algae.
The price of pool algaecide depends on the quality of the product and the quantity you receive. Some products such as the Pool Mate 1-2150-02 only come in two 1-quart bottles, for example, so the total price you pay may be higher than in the case of other products.
You may want to look at extra features when shopping for pool algaecide, with Pool Mate 1-2150-02. For example, featuring a non-metallic formula. If you want to use the algaecide in a saltwater pool, look for a product that is particularly designed for that purpose, such as the Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006, for example.
When using pool algaecides, it’s always a good idea to go through the instructions provided by the manufacturer carefully. You should also make sure that the circulation system of your pool is in good working order and be careful to keep the sanitizer within the recommended range.
To keep the pool in tip-top condition, you should also shock the pool weekly, as this can eliminate the algae the algaecide products might have missed.
Using a good brush to scrub the walls of the pool is a good idea if you want to keep the algae at bay, but you should also use a vacuum to help dislodge the algae spores that may settle on the wall and the bottom of the pool.
We made the search for the best pool algaecide easier by reviewing dozens of products and selecting just the best of them to be featured in our top. We chose to feature the PoolRx Pool Unit #101066 as our editor’s choice because this is a highly potent product that works in all kinds of pools, including saltwater ones, and can fight against all types of algae. It also has an extended 6-month period. The Kem-Tek KTK-50-0006 come in second place, and it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful algaecide that can eliminate green algae from their pools. This product has a no foaming formula and is compatible with salt systems as well. Finally, if you are looking for the best pool algaecide with a budget-friendly price tag, look no further than the SeaKlear algaecide, which is suitable for all types of algae and has a non-foaming formula that is also efficient in saltwater.
