How to Fix a Green Pool

Algae in your pool can cause the water to turn green. While this microorganism grows rapidly in heated swimming pools, it's simple to control when you know how to clean algae out of pool water. Follow these steps to get rid of algae and fix your green pool.

How Do I Get Rid of Green Algae in My Pool?

Shocking your pool with chlorine is a good way to remove green algae from the water. Chlorine kills algae and sanitizes the water so that it's safe for swimming. Here's a step-by-step guide for how to clear a green swimming pool with a shock treatment.

1. Purchase a Suitable Pool Shock Treatment

You need to purchase a pool shock treatment that contains the active ingredient calcium hypochlorite. This chemical can kill algae quickly, so you can use the filtration system to remove it.

2. Determine How Much Treatment to Use

What color is your pool? If it's a light green or teal color, then there's only a small amount of algae in the water. In this case, you only need to use roughly 2 pounds of calcium hypochlorite pool shock per 10,000 gallons of water. If the water is dark green, increase the amount to 3 pounds per 10,000 gallons. If you've been seriously neglecting your pool to the point that the water has nearly turned black, shock your pool with 4 pounds of chemical per 10,000 gallons of water.

3. Shock Your Pool

Add the required amount of calcium hypochlorite to a few gallons of water and stir the solution until the powder dissolves completely. Pour the solution into your swimming pool to allow the pool shock chemical to do its work. Calcium hypochlorite is a skin irritant, so it's a good idea to wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants while mixing and pouring the pool shock treatment, to protect yourself from splashes and spills.

4. Add Algaecide and Clarifier

An algaecide is a chemical that is specifically designed to kill algae and prevent it from returning. Add algaecide to your pool after you shock it to help kill a well-established algae colony and protect your pool from further algae breakouts. You can also add clarifier to help clear up the cloudy water more quickly.

5. Remove the Algae

When the algae in a swimming pool dies, the water typically turns blue and cloudy. Run the pool pump and filter until the water is clear. It can take a few hours of filtration to completely get rid of algae in pool water, so be patient!

6. Test the Pool Water

After shocking your pool, you need to wait at least eight hours before you begin to use the pool again. Let the family know not to use the pool during this time. Before you dive in, use a pool test kit to check the chlorine levels. If the level is higher than 3 parts per million (ppm), then you need to wait longer for the chemical levels to subside before you use the pool.