An algicide is an active substance (pesticide) intended to kill (biocide) or control the development of algae, in particular unicellular algae growing in places frequented by humans or on dwellings.
An algaecide can be used alone or mixed with other components (such as in roof cleaning products (with antifoams and antifungals to kill lichens) or in antifoolings intended to prevent (for a certain period of time) algae, but also shellfish and other marine organisms from growing on boat hulls. Additives or surfactants may be added to the active ingredient.
If you want to learn more details about algaecide, then you definitely arrived to the right web. Making the right choice when seeking to get a algaecide is just not straightforward, we are happy that you will make use of the information presented here to make a informed choice.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is the best algaecide to buy?
- 2 Advantages
- 3 Disadvantages
- 4 Types of algicides
- 5 Best Algaecide Reviews
- 6 Offers and Discounts
- 7 Cheap Algaecide
- 8 Buy Algaecide Online
- 8.1 Clorox Pool&Spa 43128CLX 42128CLX Pool Algaecide
- 8.2 HTH 67032 Super Algae Guard Swimming Pool Algaecide Cleanser, 1 qt
- 8.3 In The Swim Super Pool Algaecide - 1 Quart
- 8.4 Kem-Tek Pool and Spa 60-Percent Concentrated Algaecide, 1 Quart 2 Pack
- 8.5 Pool Mate 1-2150-02 50 Pool Algaecide, 2-Pack
- 8.6 APPLIED BIOCHEMISTS Cutrine-Plus Algaecide, 1 gal
- 8.7 Clorox Pool&Spa XtraBlue Algaecide 40 oz
- 8.8 GLB Pool & Spa Products 71114 1-Quart Strike Out Algaecide
- 8.9 SeaKlear 90-Day Algae Prevention & Remover, 1 Qt
- 8.10 In The Swim Swimming Pool Algaecide 60 Plus - 1/2 Gallon
- 9 Best Algaecide 2024
- 10 References
What is the best algaecide to buy?
Here is the top selected item of other clients getting products related to algaecide. For further options, check out our recomendations of Algaecide or use the search box.
Advantages
An algaecide used in a swimming pool is known to allow:
- to use less chlorine for water disinfection, which limits the stinging of the eyes and nose caused by too much chlorine.
- prolong the life of water filtration systems by killing the plants that tend to clog filters and pump inlets.
On roofs, or incorporated in some paints they kill algae that grow on roofs or green up walls.
Disadvantages
Toxicity to the natural environment or even to wildlife
Risk of resistance development, particularly in phytoplankton and cyanobacteria due to their reproductive rate;
Copper, often present in algicides and antifoolings, is toxic at very low doses to many marine organisms and is not degradable.
Some of the diuron (one of the most commonly used algicides) in outdoor murals leaves the paint and pollutes the environment at the base of the wall when it is washed off by rain. It is also found in the air and rain because it is a molecule that has a vapour pressure that makes it very soluble in water and water vapour. The same is true for diuron used in antifoolings. We found worrying quantities of it in the sediments of the Brest harbour. Diuron was one of the pesticides most present in the rains analysed by the Pasteur Institute during 3 years in the North of France (in Lille in particular; in this study, it was much more present in urban areas than in agricultural areas where it is no longer widely used).
The algaecide kills algae, but without removing the cause of their outbreak (which is generally an overabundance of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, due to fertilizer inputs from runoff water, soil, rain, sewage or duck droppings, etc., or in the case of an overabundance of fish in a closed environment).
In a closed environment, the mortality of a large quantity of algae can be followed by an outbreak of pathogenic bacteria (some cyanophyceae in particular, some species of which can secrete toxins). The mass death of the algae releases nitrogen (some of which will evaporate into the air) and phosphates (which tend to remain available in the water or sediment), which can maintain a cycle of eutrophication, or even dystrophication and anoxia (dead zone, with risk of avian botulism and other intoxications). In an aquarium or pond recently filled with tap water, it is normal for an algal bloom to appear after a few days or weeks. If the water is not too rich in nutrients, it disappears after a few weeks, as a balance is struck between algae, zooplankton and other microorganisms and viruses controlling the algal microflora; the water is said to “vaccinate”.
Types of algicides
There are many algicidal substances, more or less toxic or persistent.
Chemicals
Copper sulphate is an algicide that can be used in swimming pools at concentrations that are not toxic to humans (but toxic to many marine organisms). Copper sulphate has been tested to control the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia.
Irgarol, which is more toxic, is one of the biocides used in antifoolings to protect boat hulls.
Natural algicides
Some organisms produce natural algicides to control ecological competitors as part of allelopathic control. The freshwater angiosperm Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae) emits algicidal and cyanobactericidal polyphenols (prunic acid, catechin…), the most active of which is tellimagrandine II, which inhibits the photosynthesis of cyanobacteria and other phototrophs and inactivates the extracellular enzymes of these organisms by complexation.
The cyanobacteria Scytonema hofmannii (via cyanobacterin) and Fischerella muscicola (via fischerellin A) act in the same way on photosynthesis.
Many people used the algaecide previously, so you can take advantage of what they should say regarding this product. Keep reading this post in order to learn more about algaecide.
Best Algaecide Reviews
We have now chosen some useful items which will help you discover more about algaecide.