How to Clear a Green Pool

 

Nothing’s worse than pulling back your cover and seeing green water. The good news? A swampy pool is NOT permanent. With the right steps, you can turn your pool from green to crystal clear in no time. after killing algae, the left over particles make the pool look cloudy.

 

Remove Debris and Clean the Pool

 

Start by getting all the large debris out of the water. Leaves, sticks, and dirt will only make the clean up process harder.

 

  • Skim the surface. 
  • Vacuum the bottom. 
  • Brush the walls and the floor to loosen algae. adding a flocculant can help to make those small particles big enough to drop to the pool floor.

 

The cleaner your pool is at the start, the more effective your chemicals will be.

 

Balance Your Water Chemistry

 

Before treating algae, your water needs to be balanced. This ensures your chlorine works properly. Focus on:

 

  • pH: 7.2-7.8
  • Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm 
  • Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm after adding fresh water and vacuuming to waste, the pool is now clear.

 

Note: Test phosphate levels to make sure there is no algae food in the water.

 

Balanced water creates the ideal environment for killing algae quickly and efficiently. 

 

Shock the Pool (Kill the Algae) 

 

Now it’s time to attack the algae. 

 

  • Use a strong chlorine shock treatment. 
  • Follow dosage instructions based on your pool size. 
  • Run your pump continuously for 24-48 hours. 

 

You may notice the water turn from green to a cloudy/hazy blue ー that’s a good sign. It means the algae is dead. 

 

Add Flocculant to Clear the Water

 

Once the algae is killed, you’ll need to remove the leftover particles.

 

  • Add a flocculant to bind fine debris together.
  • Let the water sit undisturbed so particles settle to the bottom. 
  • Vacuum to waste to remove the settled debris. 

 

This step is crucial to getting that crystal-clear finish.

 

Pro tip: After your pool is clear, adding a quality algaecide can help prevent future blooms by stopping them before it starts.

 

Need Help? 

 

If your pool is giving you trouble, don’t stress ー professional help can save you time and frustration. Give us a call at 803-203-1322 and let our team help you along the way.