Welcome to the Algae Bar Frequently Asked Questions Page. It is our hope that the answers to these questions will help in answering any questions that you may have about the Algae Bar.
How safe is an Algae Bar?
Do you take credit cards?
Do you have a phone number?
Can the Algae Bar be used in hot tubs?
Is the Algae Bar effective in higher temperatures?
Is the Algae Bar safe for fish?
Is the Algae Bar a sanitation alternative?
Why is the silver dissappearing?
Additional information?
Will the Algae Bar work in our backyard pond?
How long will an Algae Bar last?
Does the Algae Bar cause staining?
Will an Algae Bar work in my 30,000 gallon pool?
Do you have distributors?
Do I still need chlorine?
Is the Algae Bar compatible with salt based chlorination systems?
Does the Algae Bar require electricity?
Can the Algae Bar be used with Baquacil or Softswim?
Hopefully we have answered all of your questions. But, if you still have a question that you cannot find answered here, please feel free to email us at:
Please tell me about any safety factors of which I should be concerned.
In our state of California's Title 22 Drinking Water Requirements, Regulated Chemicals, Maximum Contaminant Levels, it sets a maximum level of: 1,000 micrograms of copper per liter of water. The analysis of our test pool's water found our copper level to be: 90 micrograms per liter of water. This shows an Algae Bar to be very safe to swim with, yet still deadly to algae.
Do you take credit cards?
Yes, You can use your credit card by going through CC NOW our authorized online retailer, or your checks, via our secure server. We also accept money orders or personal checks, via U.S. Mail.
Do you have a phone number? I would like to order via phone.
As of now, we do business via the internet or U.S. Mail. This helps keep our costs down, which in turn keeps our prices down.
Can the Algae Bar be used in Hot Tubs?
Yes, we consider a hot tub to be a small, warm swimming pool. Algae Bars work extremely well in hot tubs,spas, aquariums, fountains and garden ponds.
With higher pool water temperatures, when algae growth is more abundant, is the Algae Bar still effective?
The warmer water temperatures of summer, sometimes 80+ degrees, appears to speed up the process of electrolysis in the Algae Bar. Making the Algae Bar more effective, when you need it most.
Is the Algae Bar safe for fish?
We have an Algae Bar in our 30 gallon aquarium and it has not harmed any of our fish. We have even had people comment on how clear the water is. Our customers who use the Algae Bar in their Koi Ponds describe their Koi as "Happy Fish".
I am looking for a sanitation alternative to Bromine for our pool. Will copper/silver alone protect it?
An Algae Bar is designed to control green algae only. You will still need a sanitizer to control Total Dissolved Solids, (TDS) such as sweat, saliva, suntan oil, urine, and perspiration.
Could you please mail us some additional information about the Algae Bar?
We have bared our soul, so to speak, on our website. All the information that we have about the Algae Bar has been incorporated into our web site. We do not have any additional information to send.
I purchased 2 Algae Bars last summer. One of the bars has almost no silver left on it. I live in Florida and filter the pool year round. I have continued to keep the chlorine in the water and the level is ok, if not a bit high. Do you have any solution?
We have found that high chlorine levels will affect the silver coating. Chlorine appears to burn away the silver over time, diminishing the electrolysis effect of the Algae Bar. We recommend you use your chlorine only as a sanitizer and keep your chlorine levels at 1 ppm to rid your pool of Total Dissolved Solids.
We have a 1,000 gallon pond in our backyard, which has a waterfall and a natural stone filter. We keep goldfish and Koi in the pond. Will the Algae Bar work with this arrangement?
An Algae Bar requires circulating water to work effectively. The waterfall in your pond assures us that an Algae Bar would work very well in your pond. We have sold Algae Bars to pond owners with Koi fish, and they are happy with the results.
I would like to try the Algae Bar in my hot tub. Approximately how long will it last in 450 gallons @ 102F ? What about water change time, (approximately 2 to 3 months) any problems there?
Properly maintained, an Algae Bar will last 6 months. When it comes time to change the water, simply remove the Algae Bar from the water, replace the water, and then put the Algae Bar back.
We have been told not to use copper based products in our pool because it causes staining. In your testing, did the Algae Bar cause staining?
It is generally agreed that copper levels must raise to 3 ppm before staining will accur. An Algae Bar adds .1 ppm per liter to your pool's water, well below the staining level. We are happy to report that none of our customers have complained of copper staining as a result of using the Algae Bar in their pools.
I have a large 30,000 gallon (20 x 40) pool. Do I have to purchase 4 Algae Bars for this size pool?
Last summer we tested our Algae Bars in a 25,000 gal pool in Scotsdale, Arizona. We tried four Algae Bars with mixed results. The Algae Bars did seem to control black and mustard algae, but as the water reached temperatures into the 90's they seemed less effective against green algae. From the results of our testing we decided that three Algae Bars in 20,000 gallons of water is the effective limit of our product..
Are there any distributors of the Algae Bar or do I order on-line?
As of now, we do not have distributors in the U.S. On-line would be the fastest way to order.
I use 3" round slow dissolve chlorine tabs in an automatic chlorinator, that adds chlorine as the filter runs. Would I continue this or stop using the tabs?
Our experience, along with the feed back from our customers, is that you do not need to maintain your current chlorine levels when using an Algae Bar. Stop using the chlorine tabs on a daily basis. Only use them as needed, ie...when your pool water begins to look a little cloudy, after heavy usage, or once or twice a week, at night, for sanitation purposes. If you prefer to have a chlorine presence in your pool water maintain the chlorine level at 1 ppm. This chlorine level works well with the Algae Bar to keep your pool water clean and sanitized.
Are you familiar with salt based chlorination systems? Is an Algae Bar compatible with such a system?
Salt based chlorination systems and the Algae Bar are very compatible as long as you maintain a chlorine level of 1 ppm or lower.
We have been researching ionizers as an alternative to chemicals. Does the Algae Bar require electricity? Why is it so much less expensive then other systems?
The Algae Bar does not require electricity. The other ionization systems use electricity to create the ionization process. This complicated method of adding copper ions to your pool water makes their systems very expensive. An Algae Bar uses electrolysis to add copper ions to your pool water. This is a simple, inexpensive ionization process. This is why an Algae Bar is less expensive then the other ionization systems.
Can the Algae Bar be used with Baquacil or Softswim?
The best answers come from our customers:
Just wanted to let you know i used the algae bar last year in my Baquacil pool. And i never had to use any extra chemicals at all. Matter of fact i didn't have to vaccume but twice.
Thank you very much! Sheila from wv