Vacuum Your Pool To Waste
Once you start removing algae and debris from your pool, you obviously dont want anything you take out to make its way back in. So your first step is to vacuum the pool to Waste.
Set the valve on your filter to Waste, then vacuum away, removing as much algae and sediment from the bottom of the pool as you can.
How To Clean Green Pool Fast Easy Instructions
How to clean a green swimming pool fast?
Lots of chlorine, Brush the walls and floor to mix algae with chlorine, WAIT for algae to die and fall out for 14-24 hours while NOT running the pool pump, then vacuum straight to waste as demonstrated in this post, and then begin filtering water with clean pool filter.
How To Clear A Green Pool
The treatment for green pool water depends on why the pool water went green in the first place.
Getting Rid Of Algae In Pool Water
Algae should be treated by adding chlorine shock and algaecide to the pool water. Why not just shock? Algae protect themselves with a slimy coating that can greatly reduce the effects of chlorine. While most algaecides dont actually kill algae on their own, they do break up this protective layer, allowing the chlorine to kill the algae much more easily.
Along with adding chemicals, you should also brush the entire surface of the pool. This helps to break up the algae blooms into smaller pieces that can be more easily killed by the chemicals.
As the algae is killed, the pool water will usually go from green to cloudy before eventually going clear. This process can take a number of days. During this time, the pool pump should be left running 24 hours a day to allow for an even distribution of chlorine to the water, and allow the filter to remove the dead algae that is causing the cloudiness. Until the water is completely clear you should also check your chlorine level at least once a day, adding additional chlorine every time the level dips below 1ppm.
Getting Rid Of Pollen In Pool Water
Getting Rid Of Metals In Pool Water
To treat a metal issue in your pool requires the use of a sequestrant. Sequestrants essentially group the metal particles together to allow the pools filter to more easily filter them out.
Read Also: Target Pool Supplies In Store
What Makes The Pool Green
Algae make it green, and a chemical imbalance lets the algae grow. If there is enough free chlorine in the pool, algae will have a hard time forming. If for some reason the chlorine cant build up to a high enough level, algae will grow. That’s why you shock your pool with chlorine as part of the six-step process below. If the green comes back, you can adjust the levels of other chemicals besides chlorine, as there is more to pool water chemistry than chlorine alone.
How Green Is Your Pool
Because if it’s too green, these six steps wont be enough you may need to have the pool drained and acid-washed, instead of shocked. I have seen many pools that were not just green, but black. In severe cases like this, it is more cost-effective and less time-consuming to simply drain the pool and have it acid-washed, even though it costs money to refill the pool.
This is my general rule for determining whether the pool can be treated chemically or needs to be drained: if you can see at least six to eight inches below the surface of the water, most likely the pool can be treated chemically. An example is in the photo below you can see the top of the first stair down into the pool.
Once we establish that the pool doesn’t need to be drained and can be treated chemically, we can go from there.
An example of green pool water that can be treated chemically.
Recommended Reading: Automatic Vacuum For Intex Pools
Test The Water For Ph And Alkalinity
Using test strips or a liquid test kit, test the pH and alkalinity levels. Note the levels as youll refer to them later.
If you want to, you can also note the chlorine level. Were willing to bet its going to be too low or even nonexistent. If the sanitizer level was where it should be, you wouldnt be dealing with algae. It also wont matter once you get to the next step.
Note: Testing the water could be the first step. If youd rather test, then vacuum, then brush, go for it. It wont affect the algae removal process.
What Happened To Your Pool Water
While its easy to assume that its algae that are causing the green water, we must remember that we started off with a crystal clear pool and we just shocked it. The first thing we should always do when we have green pool water is to test our chlorine levels. Yes, we just shocked the pool so we can assume that your chlorine will be at its proper levels. And if this is the case then there are a couple of culprits that we can turn our attention to.
Read Also: How Deep Is La Fitness Pool
How To Deal With A Green Pool When You Open It In Spring
If your pool is green upon pool opening next spring, follow these steps to clean your green pool:
1. Determine the Severity of the Algae Blooms
Depending on the type of algae is growing in your pool, the treatment plan will vary. Determining the type of algae may not always be easy since the colours could be less obvious due to cloudiness. Try to examine the algae as best as you can and look for the following signs:
- Green algae: This is the most common among the types of algae and luckily, the easiest to kill. Green algae is cloudy and will float to the surface of your pool. All you need is proper filtration and sanitization to eliminate the risk of getting green algae in your pool.
- Yellow algae: Often resembling pollen or sand in the corner of your pool, yellow algae is rare and not slimy like green algae. Its also chlorine-resistant making it harder to treat.
- Black algae: While this form of algae is technically a cyanobacteria, it can still land itself in your pool. It nourishes itself allowing it to grow very quickly and it will root itself into concrete surfaces making it extremely difficult to treat. Worst of all, if you dont eradicate this pest and fully destroy the roots, it will grow back.
2. Test the pH Levels
Make sure the test the pH again after shocking the pool and circulating the water for four hours.
3. Backwash the Filter
4. Shock the Pool
- Green algae: Shock two times
- Yellow algae: Shock three times
- Black algae: Shock four times
5. Brush the Pool
Brush The Pool Walls And Floor
Rather than just your usual, regular pool brush, its best to use an algae brush for this task. Algae is tough, and will stubbornly cling to the pools surfaces, so a heavy-duty brush works better than soft nylon bristles to remove it.
Use the brush to scrub the pool walls, floor, steps, and any other surface the algae may be clinging to.
Note: You may be wondering, why dont you brush the pool first, then vacuum it? Dont you want to vacuum up the algae? No. No you dont. You want to kill the algae, and it still has to be in the pool for you to do that. Trust us.
Don’t Miss: Aria Dog Friendly
Test Your Chemicals Part Two
Whether you needed to top off your pool with a garden hose or not, you should take this moment to rebalance your chemicals again, and especially keep an eye on your pH and alkalinity. If theres one thing that a green pool makes glaringly evident, its that algae can mess up your chemicals. Seriously.
Use Flocculant To Clear Up The Algae
Youve disarmed the enemy , but its presence still lingers.
The best way to clear out the rest of the pool algae is to use a pool flocculant.
Flocculants are normally used to clear up cloudy white swimming pools. They work by clumping particles together and sinking them to the bottom of your pool making it easier for you to clean up and filter out.
Use 1 2 treatments of pool flocculant depending on the severity of the pool algae. After adding it to your pool, give the flocculant some time to settle in.
Once you see the algae sinking to the bottom, its time to finish the job.
You May Like: Concrete Pool Deck Cracking
Top 5 Tips To Fix A Green Pool
A green pool is the last thing any pool owner wants to see, so why does it happen and how can you turn your pool from green to clean?
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.
If your pool is looking more green than clean, use our top 5 tips to get your pool back to healthy.
A water test will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the exact chemical dosages you pool requires to remain in top condition. Collect a sample from about an arms length under the water surface. To have an accurate analysis, aim to have the water tested within a few hours. Head to your local Poolwerx store to receive your 60 second computerized water test for free.
1. Check and clear your equipment
After you have received the chemicals to help clear your pool, make sure you test the pump, and check the filter, skimmer box and pump to ensure they are working and there are not blockages. If you are unsure about whether your equipment is working effectively or not, a fully qualified Poolwerx technician can come to your home and complete an assessment.
Blog Categories
Tip 2 Use Pool Cover:
To prevent dirt from getting into the pool, it is best to always cover it up when not in use.
This way, no leaves or animals can get into the pool and decompose there. In addition, the cover protects the pool from too much sunlight, which in turn promotes the formation of algae.
Tip 3 Install a filter system:
A pool with a filter system can make cleaning the water a lot easier. Sand filter systems are particularly good here because:
- they are suitable for continuous operation
- the filter performance is higher compared to a cartridge filter system
- you can backwash and reuse the filter medium
- the operation of a sand filter system is almost maintenance-free
If you have such a system, you only have to add the pool chemicals into the water and switch on the sand filter system.
The pool chemistry is optimally distributed throughout the pool. Algae will then disappear again in no time or cannot even appear in the first place.
If you are still looking: poolomio.de has a great sand filter system for the pool that I highly recommend.
Also Check: 40000 Btu Pool Heater
It Wasnt Caused By Algae
Did you know that algae growth isnt the only reason your swimming pool water can turn a murky shade of green?
The first is water with high copper content. This primarily happens when first opening your pool. You fill it up, shock the pool, and then it goes green.
It all depends on how much copper the water source contains. Well water is notorious for having high copper levels, so your pool will be more susceptible to turning green if this is where you get your water from.
Copper is a metal prone to oxidation . When shock chlorine oxidizes the copper, it turns green and thats what youre seeing in the pool. To get rid of it youll need to raise the pools calcium hardness by adding calcium chloride.
The other culprit can be high levels of pollen. Tree pollen, grass pollen, weed and ragweed pollen can easily get into the pool water when its pollen season.
Pollen floats around in the water, so its easy enough to remove by skimming, filtering, and brushing your pool clean. In some cases it can be stubborn, so you may have to bust out a pool vacuum and perform this cleaning ritual a few times to remove every speck.
Your best line of defense against pollen is staying on top of your pool maintenance. Running your filtration system is key, as a stagnant pool is one that will develop problems.
Ensure your pump and filters are always at optimal performance, skim the pool multiple times a day, and maintain your backyard surroundings to reduce pollen levels.
Second Step: Do The Water Test
If your pool is green, but chlorine is high, dont be too concerned. The most important test to take if your pools still green after shocking is the pH level. Buy a kit or a test strip and test the pH because it will indicate whether you need to add other chemicals.
A high pH means your water is alkaline and cloudy, especially after the shock. In this case, add hydrochloric acid to the water to neutralize the basic water elements. Ideally, the pH levels should be low. Even with salt water pools, testing its chemical balance is just as important.
Read Also: Build A Inground Pool
Let The Filter Do The Work
Shocking your pool removes exactly zero algae. What it does is kill it, so you can then let the filter clean it out. No matter what type of filter you use, be it a cartridge, sand, or diatomaceous earth youll need to clean it out several times while it clears the water.
If you have a DE filter, you need to backwash it before you start the process, and add fresh DE.
Allow the filter to run for at least 24 hours, after the treatment. Then, you can scrub the pool when you clean the filter, and then let it run again. You are going to repeat that process until the pool is clear.
Why Is My Pool Green After Rain
A lot of pool owners struggle with pools that turn green after rain. This happens as a result of the rain water diluting your pool chemicals and disturbing the delicate chemical balance. When your pool water is diluted, theres less chlorine to fight off algae. Rain water can also disturb the pH balance of your pool water.
The best way to prevent your pool from discoloring because of rain storms is to keep it covered. This should block rainwater from coming into your pool and disrupting the balance of chemicals.
If your water is already green from a rain storm, simply add some chlorine, clean away any debris in the water and run your filter to clear up your pool again. In some cases, a pool thats discolored from rain might need to be shocked.
Don’t Miss: Pristine Blue Pool Chemicals Reviews
Fixing Light Green Pool Water
Most pool owners start to notice something is wrong when the color of their pool turns a light green. At first the color may seem almost normal not entirely off-putting. However, even light green pool water indicates a low level al algae in the pool water.
A pool shock is the best way to treat light green pool water before the problem worsens.
Size Your Pools Pump And Filters
Having an undersized pool filter and pump can lead to a green pool. While filters collect debris, pumps circulate water in the pool. Since numerous variables go into choosing the proper size of pump and filter for your pool, an experienced pool professional is your best bet for getting good advice that will work for your pool.
Also Check: Semi Inground Pool Buffalo Ny
How To Keep Pool From Turning Green: Maintenance Tips For Clear Blue Water
The best way to keep your pool clear and blue is with regular maintenance. There are a number of preventative actions that homeowners can manage on their own, which can be considered pool maintenance for beginners, such as removing debris with a leaf net others are more complex and may be better handled by a professional.
Best Way To Clean Green Pool In 24 Hours
You May Like: Pool Hours Venetian
