Can anyone tell about HTH Algaecide

[bc9nd3h]

I have used a similar algecide and had foaming problems in the past. What is the best way to deal with the foam? I was also wondering about the whole idea of using any algecide. This may sound wierd but I was thinking that algae is one of the few visible signs of water problems and if the algecide works and prevents algae from growing it might mask other water poblems you might have?

[waterbear]

I have used a similar algecide and had foaming problems in the past. What is the best way to deal with the foam?
Wait for it to subside. shocking sometimes helps.
I was also wondering about the whole idea of using any algecide. This may sound wierd but I was thinking that algae is one of the few visible signs of water problems and if the algecide works and prevents algae from growing it might mask other water poblems you might have?

This is very true. If your water chemistry is correct you will not have algae! Usually algae happens when the free chlorine is too low for the stabilzer level and the pH is out of range. It is a symptom of an improperly maintained pool! Keep your water chemisty on target and you won't have algae!

[bc9nd3h]

Thanks, my foaming is just about stopped now, I had a problem after the guys I hired to open my pool accidently overdosed with algecide (about 3x too much). I shocked the pool for several days and it was still foaming. It seemed to stop on it's own. Do you think these chemicals are being broken by the sun? My neighbor had the same problem from the same guys but worse (about 4.5X as much because of a smaller pool. Hers is still foaming. I guess there's no magic bullet for this. Just time and CL.

[finch]

Can someone explain what causes the foaming. I have heard that one has to be careful of chlorine levels with linear quats. Can someone give advice about the optimal ph, chlorine levels for a product like this?

[waterbear]

The reason linear quats foam is they are cationic surfactants. This is a class of synthetic detergents. Nature of the beast. Best advice is to not use them. They also can cause eye stinging. If you must use an algaecide use polyquat.

[finch]

I have used them before though, without foaming problems, so I was wondering what conditions promote foaming. Is it usually due to overdosing, do ph, chlorine, hard water etc. have a big effect?
Also does chloring quickly destroy the quats and their effectiveness?

[huskerfan]

HTH has changed their algaecide 60 -- it's NOT polyquat anymore. I use Pooltrine from Leslies online for $7.73/qt. Last time I checked it was $9 something a quart - still cheap. You have to purchase it online, though - their stores do not stock it. Only downside is no measuring guide on the bottle, you have to measure it out into a measuring cup, but small sacrifice for a huge savings! I use a maintenance dose once a week just as a precaution- my water is gorgeous and glistens!!

[njpool]

Before showing my father this site, he had bought some linear quat algaecide of the HTH & PoolBrand variety. Since he can't bring them to the Philippines and is a new convert of the BBB method (plus some judicious use of polyquat), he has dumped said algaecide on me. Besides the possible foaming, what other side effects are associated with these products? Are they effective at all or should I just pour them down the drain? I believe it was noted that ammonium chlorides do kill algae, but with the side effect of reducing FC and increasing CC.

[RavenNS]

I don't know about the side effects
but if you really want to use that stuff instead of dumping it down the drain:

you could use it during your pool closing ( who cares if you get foam then?)

you could run around to all the bird baths in town & use a eye-dropper full

you could sell it at a fleamarket or yard sale

you could give it away

you could mix it with water & spray your house roof or shed roof
( to get rid of growths from tree debris)

[PFlynn]

My neighbor had foam so thick it wouldn't even flow into the skimmer.
We made up a couple of gallons of dish detergent and water mix in a pump sprayer and dissolved it. The pool was such a mess at that point I figured it couldn't hurt.