Swimming Pool Algae & Green Pool Water

How To Clear Up Green Swimming Pool Water
The best way to clear up and remove your swimming pool algae and
green pool water
Always take the proper precaution in dealing with these types of pool chemicals and read the manufacture’s labels. Use heavy duty rubber gloves and goggles and keep pool chlorine out of reach of children and pets. Again, I recommend using granular chlorine a.k.a calcium hypochlorite. It’s easier, a bit safer, lighter in weight, easier to store, and 1 pound of granular chlorine equals 1 gallon (8lbs.) of liquid. You need to jump on it quick, fast, and in a hurry because the longer you wait to more chance the pool algae will stain your swimming pool and cost you even more time and money. That's something we could all use more of.
The Best Way To Clear Up And Remove Swimming Pool AlgaeWhen you walk outside and see green pool water, well, that's never fun, especially when it’s a major weekend and you have all of your friends over. If you see a green swimming pool, you must take immediate action in killing the algae. Doing this will lessen the risk of staining and will lengthen the pool water life.
There's much information out there in internet land concerning how to get rid of your green pool water and killing swimming pool algae. Many sites will tell you the proper amount of pool chlorine you'll need, an algaecide, and this and that. They all have a grain of truth to them. But I'm going to tell you, free of charge, the best way, and the reasons, to get rid of your green swimming pool algae problem: First you should: Bring the pH, alkalinity, and hardness into line. Never add chlorine without first adjusting these three. Adjust your pH to 7.0-7.2, alkalinity to 80-100, and hardness to 150-250ppm.But wait!! You've read on this site to keep your pH level at 7.6-7.8. What is the deal with 7.0-7.2? Well, glad you asked, and here it goes. I suggest you use granular chlorine, a.k.a. Calcium Hypochlorite, to shock your pool. This kind of pool chlorine has a pH level of 12. Now, anything over the pH level of 8.0 and you're only using about 25% of the chlorine, which means, you've lost 75% of the active swimming pool chlorine. When you add your pool chlorine, your pH will automatically go up, so get that pH down!! If you start the pH a bit lower, you're using more active chlorine than you would if your starting pH was a bit higher. See, very simple. Also keep in mind when you use Calcium Hypochlorite, you may get
cloudy pool water.
This is normal and will clear up with proper filtration. Brush, and I mean really brush, the bottom, sides, and steps to loosen any swimming pool algae that may be adhering to the surface. Purchase a high quality
leaf rake,
(not those simple blue square skimmers) and scoop out as much debris from the bottom and top of the swimming pool as you can. If you're able, make sure the bottom drain is clear and free from debris. Continuously run your
filter
and be sure to backwash 2 times per day until the water is clear once again. If you have a DE filter be sure to re-coat the grids with each backwash. Also watch that the pool’s water level does not get below a minimum of 2” from the bottom of the skimmer. You want to get rid of the dead algae. Super-chlorinate, or shock, the pool bringing up the chlorine 10 times what you normally run for greenish water and up to 25 times for solid green swimming pool water. If your pool chlorine is 1.0ppm then raise it to 10ppm or above. You must do this in order to kill the algae. Don’t skimp on the chlorine. I mean put the hammer down. You must reach that 10ppm or above because if you don’t it’s just wasting time and money. Coming close won’t cut it. Close is only good with horseshoes and hand grenades. To super-chlorinate you must do this all at once, not over a few hours or days. If you're running your chlorine at 1.0ppm and have solid green pool water, then bring it up to 25ppm. Use a good pool algaecide specifically designed for killing algae and follow the instructions on the container.You’ll notice this is starting to eliminate the swimming pool algae when your water turns from a green to white or grayish. Also, there will be dead swimming pool algae on the bottom of the pool. This can be filtered out through vacuuming the bottom of the pool. Keep brushing and vacuuming to rid the pool and any residual algae and remember to keep filtering and backwashing to get rid of the swimming pool algae. If you have a
DE pool filter,
you'll need to re-coat or recharge the grids with each backwash. If you have
cartridge filter
remember to take the filter out and clean it two (2)times per day with a regular garden hose, never a power washer. Brush and filter then brush and filter and then after you do those it’s time to brush and filter some more. Remember, when you have a swimming pool algae problem, there is no quick fix. It will take time, effort, and patience to clear up your pool. When your swimming pool chlorine is down to 1.0ppm-3.0ppm the pool will be safe to swim in once again. Obviously you would NEVER allow anyone to swim in the pool until the swimming pool algae is gone and the water has cleared up.
How Much Pool Chlorine To Clear Up Swimming Pool Algae?You know that smart people ask the right questions. So here's the answer to that question: - Take the number of gallons in the pool and multiply by 8.34. This tells you how many pounds of water are in the pool.
- Take the number 1,000,000 (a million) and divide it by the answer you have from your first calculation. This will tell you how many parts per million that 1 pound of chemicals will be present in your pool.
- Take the number 10 and divide it by the answer you got after the second calculation. This tells you how many pounds of chlorine you will need to add to get 10 ppm.
Example #1 Here's an example with a 15,000-gallon pool: 15,000 X 8.34 = 125,100. There are 125,100 pounds of water in a 15,000-gallon pool. 1,000,000 divided by 125,100 = 8, well, close enough. This means each pound of chemicals added to the water will be 8 parts per million. 10 divided by 8 equals 1.25, so you'll need to add about 11/4 pounds of chlorine to get 10 ppm.Example #2 Here's an 18,000-gallon pool: 18,000 X 8.34 = 150,120. There are 150,120 pounds of water in an 18,000-gallon pool. 1,000,000 divided by 150,120 = 6.66. Again, pretty close so we'll say 6.7. Or if you want easy math, just round it up to 7 to be on the safe side.This means that each pound of chemicals we add to the water, it will be about 6.7 parts per million. 10 divided by 6.7 = 1.49 (what's with this math stuff?) we'll call 1.5. This means that we need to add about 11/2 pounds of chlorine to get 10 ppm. Remember once again, don't skimp and try to save a few pennies on the pool chlorine. Your green swimming pool will like it if you don't use enough. I suggest you get these calculations and then add another 1/2 pound of swimming pool chlorine, just to be sure. Don't be scared of swimming pool algae because it's not scared of you. Or, you can simply go to the
swimming pool chlorine
and this will give you the chart you need to shock or super-chlorinate your swimming pool. If you want to bring the pool chlorine level up 20-25ppm, then just double the amount of pool chlorine. Drop that pool chlorine hammer, scrub, and backwash to get rid of that awful green swimming pool.
Water mold
can be just as frustrating. It will take a little blood, sweat, and tears, to clear up swimming pool algae, but don't worry. You're not the first person to have swimming pool algae. Avoiding is the first step. Just follow these great pool tips and you'll be fine. swimming pool algae
Do You Know The Best Way To Clear Up A Green Pool?
Have you found the best way to clear up a green pool? What did it look like before, and now? Have you found the best algaecide or chlorine? Is your pool green and you just want to show it off?
Or better yet, create a page about YOUR pool, including a photo, type of pool, and what you're doing to keep it looking and running its best!!
Share your story, secrets, before and after pictures, or write an article on why your pool is the best!
Go To:
Home From Swimming Pool Algae

|