Clear Solar Cover - More Algae?

[Easto]

I have had a pool for several years and used various solar covers (solar blanket).

Usually I get a blue one, but last time I went with clear. My idea was more sunlight gets through, more heat. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong.

This season I have been battling algae. When the pool isn’t in use the cover is on to retain heat.

We went on vacation for a week and I shocked the pool before leaving. Upon coming home the pool was full of algae. Years past I’ve done the same and never a problem. The only difference is the solar blanket.

I have more success leaving the blanket off rather than the clear blanket.

With a blue solar blanket it didn’t seem to make a difference.

Thoughts?

 

[PoolGate]

Why not just use more chlorine?

 

[reggiehammond]

Algae is from poor sanitation. You have too little FC per your FC/CYA Levels.

Follow SLAM Process and considering logging your results in PoolMath

If you’re solely relying on your UV system to prevent algae, well, this is what happens. The sun provides more free UV than any outdoor pool can handle, so your UV system is actually consuming chlorine, making your problem worse.

 

[Easto]

I had a UV system but it stopped working and I never fixed it. I use chlorine.

I SLAMMED before vacation and came back to algae. I’ve done the same thing multiple years in a row. I’m wondering if the clear blanket is burning off more chlorine than past years.

 

[Katodude]

There might have been algae on the blanket that accelerated the bloom. I would have also added a few pucks in a floater. Also the heat does not cause the FC loss the UV does.