Yellow Algae & Swimming Pool Chemistry

Swimming Pool Care



Killing swimming pool yellow algae can be a problem. Proper treatment, maintenance, chemical help, and algaecide for your regular and saltwater pool.

You can learn to get rid of and control of these swimming pool problems by using pool tips to have the best pool water quality. Proper pool water maintenance and using the best pool tips are essential in fighting any kind of swimming pool algae.

Mustard deposits are usually found on the walls, primarily on the shady side of the pool. Unlike brown algae and black algae, this mustard swimming pool algae can be easily brushed away, but it will return without the right kind of swimming pool chlorine, a good pool shock, and a good pool algaecide specifically designed for yellow algae.



First Things First:

  • Before trying to remove your pool algae problem, bring the pH, alkalinity, and hardness into line. Never add pool chlorine without first adjusting these three. Using pool acid, adjust your pH to 7.0-7.2, alkalinity to 85-100, and calcium hardness to 150-250ppm using calcium chloride.
  • But wait!! You've read on this site to keep your pool pH level at 7.6-7.8. What is the deal with 7.0-7.2? Won't that mess up my pool water chemistry?

    Won't this cause more swimming pool problems? 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 with pool acid!! 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.

    Very simple, right?

  • Brush, and I mean really brush, the bottom, sides, and steps to loosen any yellow 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 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 1 time 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 10-12 times what you normally run.
  • 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 pool shock.



    You Gotta Blast It

    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. Get a good water testing kit and learn how to use it.

    To super-chlorinate you must do this all at once, not over a few hours or days. If you're running your pool chlorine at 1.0ppm, then bring it up to 10-12ppm.

  • Use a pool algaecide specifically designed for killing yellow algae and follow the instructions on the container.

    You’ll notice this is working when your yellow to a white or grayish. Also, there might be be dead 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 yellow algae and remember to keep filtering and back-washing to get rid of the swimming pool algae.

    If you have a DE filter, you'll need to re-coat or recharge the grids with each backwash.

    If you have a cartridge filter remember to take the filter out and clean it once 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 and/or mustard deposits are gone and the water has cleared up.




    Chart - Super-chlorinate Your Pool For Yellow Algae
    (Amount Needed to Reach 10 ppm)

    Type of chlorinePOOL GALLONS
    1,000 5,000 10,000 12,00015,000 20,000 25,000 50,000
    Sodium Hypo10 oz. 1 3/4 qts. 3 1/4 qts. 1 1/4 gal. 1 2/3 gal. 2 gal.4 gal. 6 gal.
    Lithium Hypo 4 oz. 1 1/4 lbs. 2 1/3 lbs.3 1/2 lbs. 4 3/4 lbs. 6 lbs. 12 lbs 18 lbs.
    Dichlor2 1/4 oz. 11 oz. 1 1/3 lbs. 2 lbs. 2 2/3 lbs. 3 1/3 lbs.6 3/4 lbs. 14 lbs.
    Calcium Hypo 2 oz. 10 oz. 1 1/4 lbs.2 lbs. 2 1/2 lbs. 3 1/4 lbs. 6 1/2 lbs. 13 lbs.


    I'm familiar with a product called "Phosfree" by Natural Chemistry. Once you have your yellow algae under control, you can use this product as a prevention for further yellow algae outbreaks.

    Algae lives off the phosphates in your pool. If you want to know one of the best ways for killing algae, just cut off its food supply. No food means no algae and "Phosfree" seems to do the trick in keeping the phosphates down.

    Treating yellow algae can be a little tricky. It's one of those kinds of algae that seem very harmless because it can easily be brushed away.

    I like calling yellow algae "ghost algae" because it disappear easily by brushing, but then it comes back the next morning and you say, "Where did that come from?"

    Don't let this fool you, because yellow algae will come back again and again unless you take the right steps to rid your pool of this pain once and for all.

    After you shock your pool you can use a good Yellow Algae treatment pool algaecide.

    Happy Swimming

    Go To:

    Swimming Pool Algae From Yellow Algae


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