Quote Originally Posted by polyvue View Post
Besides the borates I wonder if algae growth is constrained by other factors that relate to the pool's environment.

Your avatar betrays the use of a bird cage (enclosure) that are so ubiquitous in Florida. That would be one variable and must reduce UV exposure. Other possible factors: cloudy weather and summer rain (there's almost none in the southwest and large portions of California during July and August); humidity; day/night air temperature swings; cover usage; etc.
Nope, pools turn green here in a day, birdcage or not! Summer rains tend to bring on algae blooms also (probably by diluting the chlorine). I would have more customers coming in right before a rain to get some chlorine to shock as 'insurance' and even more come in a day after a heavy rain to get help with clearing their now cloudy and/or green pool.
Proper cover usage should not affect algae blooms since the covers should be on at night and off during the day but that is really a winter thing here and not a summer thing.

FWIW, borates ARE an effective algaestat (and pH buffer).