The Best Pool Algaecides for Crystal Clear Water

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Pool Algaecides for Crystal Clear Water and hope the blog can help you.

The best pool algaecides keep water clean and clear while preventing algae from splashing around.

Backyard pools are a great place to exercise, relax, and have fun with family and friends. However, algae can get in the way of that fun. Some types of algae are simply an annoyance, while others can cause rashes, illness, or even worse.

If algae is a problem in your pool, algaecides are among the best algae removers for pools. They can kill algae, and some types also can prevent algae growth. To help maintain proper water balance and safety, an algaecide is typically used alongside pool shock treatments, chlorine, and other pool chemicals.

Pool algaecides can break up, suspend, and kill different types of algae to keep pool water clean and usable. The best pool algaecide helps keep your pool clean and ready for a quick swim. However, the pool type, the type of algae that’s present, and the other chemicals and products that are used in the pool all help determine the type of algaecide that works best.

Keep reading to find out what to consider when choosing the best pool algaecide, and check out some of the top options on the market for pool maintenance.

1. BEST OVERALL: Kem-Tek Pool and Spa Algaecide
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Aqua Clear Pool Products Pool Algaecide
3. BEST FOR SALTWATER POOLS: HTH Advanced Algae Guard
4. BEST LONG-LASTING: Pool RX 6-Month Algaecide
5. BEST FOR PREVENTING GROWTH: SeaKlear 90-Day Algae Prevention & Remover
6. BEST FOR BLACK ALGAE: Applied Biochemists Black Algaetrine
7. BEST NONFOAMING: In The Swim Super Pool Algaecide
8. BEST IMMEDIATE SWIMMING: McGrayel Algatec Super Algaecide
9. BEST FOR ABOVE-GROUND POOLS: Rx Clear 7% Copper Algaecide

How We Chose the Best Pool Algaecide

We researched the different types of algaecides and each type of algae it targets. We also considered ease of treatment, frequency of retreatment, and price. Other criteria included the concentration of the algaecide, the ratio of algaecide to gallons per water per treatment, and the frequency of the required treatments.

Above all, an algaecide must kill or prevent the targeted algae. While effectiveness is the biggest consideration, nonfoaming, nonstaining, pool-safe, and swim-safeness are also qualities important to this list of final picks.

Our Top Picks

The best algae killers for pools last several months and even eliminate tough black algae. The characteristics of the pool help determine the correct type, and the best algaecide proves itself over time.

Best Overall

Kem-Tek Pool and Spa Algaecide

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Kem-Tek algaecide, one of the best algae removers for pools, contains polyquaternium (polyquat), which is effective on most types of algae, making it a good all-purpose product. The polyquaternium polymers attach to negatively charged algae cells, effectively smothering the algae before it can grow and spread. This slow dispersion is effective not only at killing algae, but also in preventing its regrowth. Polyquat pool algaecides don’t foam or stain.

This algaecide’s high 60 percent concentration typically eradicates algae quickly. High concentration also means the algaecide disperses slower, making it last longer. However, a broad-spectrum algaecide doesn’t target any one specific type of algae, so persistent blooms of a particular type may not respond. Kem-Tek Algaecide works for freshwater or saltwater pools.

Product Specs

• Compatibility: All types of pools
• Nonfoaming: Yes
• Targeted algae: Green, black, and mustard

Pros

• High concentration of polyquat; also helps clarify cloudy water
• Disperses slowly for longer-lasting effects
• Nonfoaming and nonstaining formula; suitable for most pool types

Cons

• May not work on persistent specific algae blooms

Get the Kem-Tek pool and spa algaecide at Amazon, Walmart, or Leslie’s.

Best Bang For the Buck

Aqua Clear Pool Products Pool Algaecide

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Aqua Clear Pool Products pool algaecide targets persistent green algae with quaternary ammonium compounds. It’s designed for use with all pool types, including saltwater. The fast-acting formula includes dosing instructions that depend on the time it’s used in the cleaning cycle. For example, at the beginning of the season, apply 8 ounces along the edges of the pool, weekly for maintenance, or a high 16-ounce dose to kill persistent green algae. As a quat algaecide, it can cause foaming if used in excess.

Product Specs 

• Compatibility: All pool types
• Nonfoaming: No
• Targeted algae: Green

Pros

• Inexpensive compared to other pool algaecide options
• Includes dosing for different times and uses
• Specifically targets green algae blooms

Cons

• Can start to foam if used in excess

Get the Aqua Clear Pool Products pool algaecide at Amazon.

Best For Saltwater Pools

HTH Advanced Algae Guard

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HTH Advanced Algae Guard attacks three of the big algae—green, black, and mustard. It’s compatible with all pools, including saltwater, and users can swim immediately after application. HTH contains ammonium compounds that break down the membrane of the algae, helping chlorine do the killing part. The solution stays in the water to stop new growth.

This product can be used as a weekly maintenance treatment to achieve best results. Add to pools every 3 to 5 days.

Product Specs 

• Compatibility: All swimming pool types
• Nonfoaming: Yes
• Targeted algae: Green, black, and mustard

Pros

• Pool can be used immediately after treatment
• Targets the most common types of pool algae
• Nonfoaming formula can create crystal clear water

Cons

• Requires weekly treatments for best results

Get the HTH pool algaecide at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best Long-Lasting

Pool RX 6-Month Algaecide

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Pool RX 6-month algaecide cleans the pool with fewer chemicals and reduces pool maintenance. Each unit treats 20,000 to 30,000 gallons and lasts up to 6 months, staying in the pool pump or skimmer basket for constant release. Surrounding vegetation or rainfall may reduce the time that each treatment lasts.

The treatment kills algae with a copper compound. Copper is a highly effective algaecide, but it can discolor pool linings. However, this formula is designed to prevent discoloration. It’s compatible with salt systems, ozone, chlorine, and UV.

Users must purchase the right treatment for their pool size. Blue treatments are for pools that hold under 20,000 gallons of water, while black is for those with more than 20,000 gallons.

Product Specs 

• Compatibility: Chlorine, ozone, UV, and salt pool systems
• Nonfoaming: Yes
• Targeted algae: All types

Pros

• Easy to apply; can last up to 6 months
• Copper compounds don’t discolor the pool
• Compatible with chlorine, UV, ozone, and salt systems

Cons

• Expensive and may not last a full 6 months

Get the Pool RX pool algaecide at Amazon or NewEgg.

Best For Preventing Growth

SeaKlear 90-Day Algae Prevention & Remover

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SeaKlear 90-Day Algae Prevention & Remover contains copper salts that effectively eliminate algae and create an environment that prevents algae from coming back. This formula kills and prevents the four main types of algae—black, green, blue-green, and yellow (mustard). However, the pool water must be balanced for the algaecide to work.

Each treatment lasts 9 months with a 90-day algae-free guarantee. Users can increase the concentration of the algaecide to treat more severe outbreaks. A single treatment is 16 ounces, which is half a bottle. Severe outbreaks require an entire bottle, which can make treatment expensive if algae persists. Even though it contains copper, the manufacturers claim it won’t foam or stain.

Product Specs

• Compatibility: Unspecified
• Nonfoaming: Yes
• Targeted algae: Blue, blue-green, black, yellow

Pros

• Prevents algae for up to 90 days
• Attacks the most common forms of algae
• Nonfoaming and nonstaining formula

Cons

• Severe outbreaks require an entire bottle

Get the SeaKlear pool algaecide at Amazon or Walmart.

Best For Black Algae

Applied Biochemists Black Algaetrine

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Thanks to a copper complex that’s designed for hard-to-kill algae, Applied Biochemists Black Algaetrine is the best algaecide for black algae. This algaecide coats and penetrates to prevent new growth in all pool types. As with other solutions, the water’s pH must be balanced for best results.

For it to work correctly, users must follow the directions exactly, adhering to the manufacturer’s recommendations as to timing and concentration. Applied Biochemists algaecide works alongside shock treatments, chlorine, and other maintenance products; no waiting period is required after treatment.

Product Specs 

• Compatibility: Bromine, chlorine, and ozone pool systems
• Nonfoaming: No
• Targeted algae: Black

Pros

• Designed specifically to tackle tough black algae
• Users can swim immediately after treatment
• Works with all common pool types

Cons

• Must follow instructions exactly to avoid adverse effects and staining

Get the Applied Biochemists pool algaecide at Amazon or Pool Geek.

Best Non-Foaming

In The Swim Super Pool Algaecide

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In The Swim Super Algaecide contains copper complex and chelated copper. It comes in a highly concentrated solution that requires only 4 ounces per 10,000 gallons of water. After the first treatment, it takes only 2 ounces per week to maintain the same 10,000 gallons.

As with other products, make sure that the filtration and water balance are ideal before using the algaecide, and follow the directions carefully. For example, the solution must be diluted prior to adding it to the pool. Some users report that this algaecide causes some discoloration.

Product Specs

• Compatibility: Inground or above-ground pools
• Nonfoaming: Yes
• Targeted algae: Mustard

Pros

• Fast-acting formula does not foam like some other products
• Concentrated formula works effectively and saves money
• Users can often see near-immediate results after treatment

Cons

• Requires following instructions closely to prevent discoloration

Get the In The Swim pool algaecide at Amazon, Leslie’s, Walmart, or In The Swim.

Best Immediate Swimming

McGrayel Algatec Super Algaecide