So My Pools Got Algae Does It Even Matter
I know, I know. As with all pool issues, its much easier to shrug your shoulders and go back to all the other things you planned to do today. But although the algae that occurs in pools wont hurt you directly, its a killer for your chemical balance. When algae is present in your pool, your sanitizer and chemicals exhaust themselves working against it. And when that happens, the potentially harmful bacteria that your sanitizer is supposed to neutralize is thrivingand surrounding you and yours on every swim. Not only is it gross, but it can also make you sick.
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Why Is My Pool Always Green
A pool turns green when there is algae in the water. There are several reasons why algae could grow, but it is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to the sun, rain and temperature spikes. These factors affect the chemical balance of the pool and result in the pool turning cloudy and/or green.
How To Clean A Green Above Ground Pool
The procedure is the same as has already mentioned with a couple exceptions. You may need to remove your pool ladder or drop-in-steps to remove algae.
Any live algae will grow fast, if you do not brush it all into chlorine, it will definitely return.
What ever it takes, you have to remove leaves and debris. This can be challenging with above ground pools as you may have to work over the pool wall. Or your service pole may not reach across the entire pool, or you may have an annoying perimeter fence around the top.
I usually remove sections of the fence when working on above ground pools with such an obstacle.
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Keep Up With Proper Pool Maintenance
After all your hard work is done and your pool isnt green or cloudy anymore it is time to concentrate on a routine daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance regime. Or when youre new to pool maintenance you can consult this Beginners Guide to Swimming Pool Maintenance for additional reading. Make sure you are backwashing your filters routinely in addition to skimming any debris that might have fallen in the pool too.
To Drain Or Not To Drain
Pools with full on algae blooms can have varying levels of suspended material, and debris on the bottom and floating on top. If you can see the shallow end floor, even if just barely you can probably bring it back, with lots of chemicals, cleaning and filtering. If you can only see down 12-18, and there is a lot of debris in the pool, trying to bring it back without at least partially draining will be a long road.
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Fixing Cloudy Green Pool Water
There is some water worth fixing and some that is too far gone. You can fix green pool water by using appropriate chemicals and filtration if it has not been green and cloudy very long as in weeks .
Your pool may be a better candidate for a drain and acid wash if:
1.) It is a dense and dark green where you cannot see more than a foot or two into it.
2.) It has algae built up on the walls and surfaces in a carpeting affect.
3.) It has more than a few contractor size trash bags of debris at the bottom.
4.) You have a sand filter.
If you have #1 or #2 going on then I would suggest a drain and acid wash right off. If you have #3 and / or #4 can mean it takes a lot more time and money to turn it around and that money and time might be better spent on a drain and acid wash if you can get that done for just a little more.
To fix cloudy green water:
1.) Make sure your filter is running properly and the pressure is not too high. Backwash it if you have that option before starting this process.
2.) Make sure the skimmer baskets and pump basket are empty.
3.) Set your pool to suck from the main drain. Try to get approximately ½ the suction from the drain. You may need to shut off the skimmers ½¾s of the way each to pull more from the drain. This is important to get the cloudy water pulled out of the pool and through the filter.
4.) Shock the pool and add some algaecide or yellow out depending on the color of algae.
More Pool Cleaning Tips
- Chlorine comes stabilized or unstabilized. Stabilized chlorine is coated with Cyanuric acid to prevent Cl2 from evaporating. Unstabilized chlorine, such as sodium hypochlorite, is not treated with Cyanuric acid.
- Sodium hypochlorite, also known as pool bleach, is available as a liquid and is highly concentrated compared to household bleach. Calcium hypochlorite is available as a granular powder or slow-release tablets. Both of these chemicals are used to shock the pool in order to raise the concentration of free chlorine in the water.
- Calcium hypochlorite reacts vigorously with water to release free chlorine but it dissolves slowly. To get the most free chlorine into the water, add it to your pool at night so it wont evaporate as quickly. Youll need to wait 8 hours to use the pool, anyway. The calcium acts as an alkaline buffer.
When in doubt, consult the instructions that came with your pool, or schedule an appointment with a professional to resolve any questions and ensure that your pool provides a clean, safe and relaxing environment for you and your family.
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How Do I Stop Algae From Coming Back
Remember the old saying “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure?” This is so applicable to your pool. Keep your pool from getting sick and you’ll never have to worry about the extra expenses trying to revive it.
Keep your pool in top shape and algae-less by doing some periodic maintenance, it may be a bit time-consuming, but it is worth it in the long run.
Don’t have much time? Don’t worry, it doesn’t take too long if you follow our tips and tricks on how to test and fix your pool water.
And probably one of the best ways to ensure that your pool water stays algae-free is to ensure that yourpool filters are in top condition all the time!
A Few Reasons Why Algae Invades Pools
The simple, but annoying, reason for a green pool is usually due to the lack of sufficient water testing and sanitizer. When your pools sanitizer and chlorine levels fall below optimal levels, or the chlorine becomes entangled with other chemicals in your pool, you open the door to your tiny green nemesis.
The sanitizer makes your pool inhospitable to algae and kills it.
If youre not testing often enough and not adding enough bromine or chlorine , youre at a high risk of getting algae in your pool.
But you test regularly, all the time, you say? Well, thats not always enough.
Mother Nature rarely keeps to our schedules, and your testing regimen is another one shell ignore. Many things make your pool more likely to need extra testing, as they make algae blooms more likely.
- Extreme Heat/Weather Changes
- A Dirty Pool
- Incorrect pH Levels
- Clogged Pool Filter
If any of these things are occurring in your area or your pool, you are more likely to face an algae bloom, and you want to test more often. Daily or every other day isnt going to be too much.
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Why Do Pools Go Green
So youve got your pool up and running and everythings looking good, then one day you look out and notice that your pool water is green. What happened? Today we will look at what causes pool water to turn green, how to troubleshoot to find the reason why the pool went green, and how to get the water clear again.
What Causes Pool Water To Turn Green
There are a few reasons that pool water turns green. The most common include:
When pool water turns from the clear blue that you are used to seeing into any shade of green, the most frequent reason is algae. A lighter shade of green means that it is likely a fresh formation, but a deeper green could mean a bigger problem. A dip in cleaning chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, etc., can keep the agents from being strong enough to prevent algae formation.
Cheap algaecides, metal components of the pool, and acidic source water can lead to trace metals being in the water. As such, oxidation of the metals from a pool shock can turn the swimming pool water green. Water that is green from oxidation can stain the swimming pool and is known for turning hair green.
Airborne pollen, depending on where you live, can be too fine to be filtered out of the pool, causing it to build. If you live in a region where pollen counts are so high that your vehicles are coated in yellow dust, in the morning, this may be causing your water to turn green.
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Will Algaecide Clear A Green Pool
Algaecide will be able to help you clear cloudy green pool water such as this. Algaecide, to put it simply, is a pool chemical that can kill algae or prevent it from growing in your pool. Algaecide works best in tandem with chlorine sanitizer to keep your pool water clean. Choosing the right type of algaecide is key.
Defining Algae In The Pool
Almost any soil or plant debris contains cyanobacteria algae. The spores are light enough for the breeze to carry them right into your pool water, or they can catch on your swimwear and you can add them to the water yourself. Youll always have algae in your pool, but a few things can kick off an algae bloom. You could have inadequate filtration for your pools size or low or inconsistent chlorine levels.
Bad water circulation with dead spots or pool imbalance in your pool chemicals are also two big culprits. One or any of these factors can kick off a pool algae bloom that spreads across your pool. If its warm and sunny out, you can have a full-blown infestation in a few hours. Algaecide is an effective way to help you with filtration, sanitation, and water circulation and get rid of black, green, or yellow algae growth.
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Causes For Pool Algae Development
Anyone who decides to build a pool in their back yard should learn how it is properly maintained.
If you dont do that, instead of a place to relax in, it will become just another chore around the house.
With the right care your pool will always stay fresh and clean.
Proper maintenance means you need to thoroughly clean the pool on a regular basis and use the appropriate care products.
If you neglect this for long enough, dont be surprised if the water turns cloudy or green.
The pH value and the colour of the water provide information on the water quality and indicate which cleaning measures are necessary.
Ideally, the pH value is 7.4. A pH value higher than 7.4 is really good for algae. Algae and bacteria are not always responsible for discoloured water or deposits on the walls:
- Yellow-green water: indicates the increased iron concentration
- Cloudy water: indicates pollution from organic residues
- Slippery walls: algae or bacterial covers
- Rough pool walls: means calcification of the water
If there isnt enough algae protection in the pool water, the risk of algae growth increases. The pH value has a significant influence on algae growth. The organisms need nutrients to grow, which they get from leaves, hair, cosmetics or skin cells.
Whats The Best Way To Drain Green Pool Water
Draining the green water out of your pool is rather easy. You can use your pools primary drain to release most of the water. Once the water reaches a certain level, you can allow the rest of the water to drain out of the waste line. The pools pump will do most of the work. Continuing to clean the pool while the water is draining out will eliminate much of the green debris so that it is easier to bring your pool water back into balance once you start to fill it up again.
Green pool water doesnt have to ruin your summer fun. If you notice your pool water starting to turn green and you need some help in getting it cleared up, call the professional pool cleaners. At Sparkling Clear Pool Service, we are professionals in pool maintenance with valuable years of experience. Be sure to reach out to us on 214-361-0255 for all of your pool maintenance needs in the whole of Fairview, Frisco, Allen, and McKinney TX. Contact us today!
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Are Algae Dangerous In The Pool
Fortunately, there are only three different types of algae that can be found in pools.
All three types of algae are harmless to health, but they make the pool water cloudy.
The algae also attract various bacteria and insects as they are a source of food. And lets be honest: nobody wants to bathe in this kind of pool water anyway.
The pool algae like to grow on stairs, on the edges, in the pools corners, or wherever there is a shade. Pay attention to these spots. This will help you determine the type of algae.
Psc Ep 8: Why Is My Pool Green After Filling With Fresh Water
I just filled my pool and the waters green. Why did this happen?
Most people are going to assume that its algae, but if its brand new water, thats probably not the cause. Its more likely that you have a lot of metals in the water, copper or iron. Your first instinct when you fill your pool with new water, is to shock it. But that shock then oxidizes the metals, that chemical reaction then causes the green hue in your water. This is common with refills that used well water or even water that hasnt been shocked but instead contains a high level of metals.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Green Algae In My Pool Without Chemicals
Use baking soda as algae in pool home remedy People like using baking soda to get rid of algae because you can swim immediately after treatment in most cases. Also, if its not overused, it will only slightly impact pool water chemistry. It works best as a spot treatment for algae on pool walls and pool floors.
How To Add Liquid Chlorine To Kill And Get Rid Of Algae
Depending the level of your Cyanuric acid in your water, raise your FC to shock level. The recommended Cyanuric acid level to avoid using much of chlorine is always 30ppm, which requires 12ppm FC shock level and FC should not go below 6ppm which is the maximum range.
Very important whichever shock level and Cyanuric acid level you choose to work with, test your FC after every hour and raise it back to the shock level when it reaches the maximum FC range, which is simply the level your FC should not go below in order to be able to kill all algae.
Cya of 40ppm will need 16ppm FC and shouldn’t go below 7ppm, Cya of 50ppm will need 20ppm FC and should not go below 8ppm, and Cya of 60ppm will need 24ppm FC and shouldn’t go below 9ppm until your water is free of algae.
Spare enough time to kill and get rid of algae because the process of testing FC and raising it back to the shock level might take a couple of days, and sometimes it may go up to a week or so depending on the algae you are fighting and how strong it has established itself in your pool.
Very high FC levels is very destructive to pool parts and if your Cyanuric acid is higher than 30ppm, you will have to lower it first by draining and refilling 1/4 to 1/2 of your pool water.
Finally, when your FC get down to 3ppm, balance all your pool chemicals starting with the pH, Cyanuric acid, TA, and CH.
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Proactive Final Step: Kill And Flocc
You may also want to consider adding a few things here to help the process. An algaecide, which also kills algae, and a flocculant added after a couple of hours of the chlorine circulating. You can also wait until you are pretty sure you got all of them, to be sure.
At this point, the extra steps may not seem worth it. However, if you still have any algae that you missed, it could bloom again fairly quickly. You dont want that.
Too Much Cyanuric Acid
Cyanuric acid is a water conditioner and stabilizer that prevents chlorine from degrading in sunlight. The CYA level in pool water should be between 30 and 50 parts per million. Any higher means trouble. Once you get around 80 to 100 parts per million or more, the chlorine can no longer do its job effectively, explains Steve Goodale, a writer and technical specialist who reaches millions of pool and spa owners each year through his Swimming Pool Steve resource blog and YouTube channel.
Find out your pools CYA level by taking a water sample to a pool and spa store so they can properly test it. CYA is hard to remove from water. Often the only way to fix the problem is to partially drain the pool and refill it with fresh water.
Going forward, watch how many chlorine pucks you add to your pool, because they also contain CYA. You can also consider ditching the pucks and adding chlorine as a standalone product if elevated CYA is an issue for your pool.
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