Polyquat algeacide

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foxbody

foxbody

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2021
87
Beverly, MA
Hi all. First time closing our first "real" AGP. I'm reading I need a polyquat algaecide. This is the first time I've ever heard this term. Could someone explain to me how the algaecide I have is different than the polyquat? And does it matter what polyquat algicide I choose? Or just any polyquat? Pool store gave me my free winter pool cover yesterday and wanted to sell me a whole bunch of products, which I declined and instead referred to this excellent site.

So I'm looking at the algaecide I have on hand. This is apparently not a polyquat algicide. "LIFE LINE Non-foaming long lasting algaecide. for controlling mustard algae growth in swimming pools. Active ingredients - copper triethanolamine complex* 23.21%. inert ingredients 76.79%. total 100%. *metallic copper equivalent 7.00%. Contains 0.75lbs of elemental copper per gallon.

Thanks!
 
How late are you closing ? IMO it's only helpful for early closing folks who need more time to bridge until the water is cold. Theoretically the PQ lasts longer than the SLAM FC if you're closing on Labor Day as many do here.
 
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foxbody said:
Hi all. First time closing our first "real" AGP. I'm reading I need a polyquat algaecide. This is the first time I've ever heard this term. Could someone explain to me how the algaecide I have is different than the polyquat? And does it matter what polyquat algicide I choose? Or just any polyquat? Pool store gave me my free winter pool cover yesterday and wanted to sell me a whole bunch of products, which I declined and instead referred to this excellent site.

So I'm looking at the algaecide I have on hand. This is apparently not a polyquat algicide. "LIFE LINE Non-foaming long lasting algaecide. for controlling mustard algae growth in swimming pools. Active ingredients - copper triethanolamine complex* 23.21%. inert ingredients 76.79%. total 100%. *metallic copper equivalent 7.00%. Contains 0.75lbs of elemental copper per gallon.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
To answer the question: the stuff you have has copper in it which will cause stains as it builds up over time. Don’t put copper in the water.

You also don’t -need- an algaecide as defended above unless you are maybe closing it super early.
 
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foxbody said:
Hi all. First time closing our first "real" AGP.
Click to expand...

As opposed to all those “imaginary” AGP’s that are out there 🤔

Yeah, as others have said, the algaecide you have on hand is a copper metal based algaecide. It will stain your pool liner … imaginary pools might be fine.

PolyQuat-60 is a quaternary ammonium based algaecide (think of it like non-alcohol based hand sanitizer). It will help to keep algae at bay and it is less sensitive to chlorine oxidation than the cheaper linear quat algaecides. It does break down over time so it has to be replenished if used regularly but the by-products are harmless and don’t mess with your pool.

PolyQuat-60 is safe to use in imaginary pools as well …
 
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JoyfulNoise said:
As opposed to all those “imaginary” AGP’s that are out there 🤔

Yeah, as others have said, the algaecide you have on hand is a copper metal based algaecide. It will stain your pool liner … imaginary pools might be fine.

PolyQuat-60 is a quaternary ammonium based algaecide (think of it like non-alcohol based hand sanitizer). It will help to keep algae at bay and it is less sensitive to chlorine oxidation than the cheaper linear quat algaecides. It does break down over time so it has to be replenished if used regularly but the by-products are harmless and don’t mess with your pool.

PolyQuat-60 is safe to use in imaginary pools as well …
Click to expand...

I meant "permanent" vs we tried out 3 years of "temporary" pools that we took down at season's end.
 
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Ok great. So you'll be into what I consider half a dozen or six territory.

Your choices are to close at slam or to close at half slam with PQ. Being so late, I'd skip the PQ myself. PQ and FC fight it out leaving you with less of each. The hopes in the early fall is that the PQ helps make it to cool water, but in the late fall, slam FC probably will get you there on its own.
 
PQ60 is cheap insurance for a clean opening in the spring.
 

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If you’re using a solid cover,
closing at slam fc,
closing after the pool is low 60’s & falling & opening before the water rises above the low 60’s you can omit polyquat.
It is there as insurance if fc falls too low.
In my experience with all those things I listed above being true my fc has never even come close to being too low. I do check the water periodically throughout the closed season to verify since we tend to get some warm spells around Christmas but I have never needed to intervene. I prefer to omit the polyquat since I can’t test for it to know if I am protected.
I can test my fc & know I’m good.
Those with mesh covers that don’t check fc while closed & suffer lots of dilution or who close early/open late benefit more from the extra insurance polyquat provides.
 
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