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Top Five Ways To Clear A Green Swimming Pool

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Top Five Ways Too Clear A Green PoolEveryone at some point will wind up with a green swimming pool and will want to know right away how to clear a green swimming pool and make the water blue again, but the truth is that you first need to determine why the swimming pool water turned green in the first place.

There are usually a few common things that will cause your swimming pool to turn green. Some of the more simple things that can cause the pool water to turn green is forgetting to add chlorine to the swimming pool, not running the pool filter long enough, or possible a more advanced water chemistry problem or even swimming pool filter equipment failure.

Once you figure out what caused your swimming pool to turn green you now can use the following guide and choose from five top ways to clear your green swimming pool.

How To Clear A Green Swimming Pool With Chemicals:

One way to clear a green swimming pool is to use chemicals to do so. In addition to the chemicals you will need some kind of filter system as well because just chemicals alone will not clear up your green water that you have in your in-ground or above ground pool. The first thing you will want to do is to check the chemistry of your water. This will include checking the level of the ALK, PH, and total available chlorine. Make sure to write down all the levels of your chemical readings. You can either use a standard test kit that uses reactants or you can use a test strip type like Aqua Check strips.

Once you have gathered your chemical readings you will want to adjust the chemicals by adding what you need to bring them to the correct levels. This could include adjusting the Alkalinity with sodium bicarbonate as well as adding pH up or down. Don’t panic soon you will be a pro and will be telling others how to clear a green swimming pool as well.Now, the next thing you will want to do is to add shock to the pool. You can either add liquid swimming pool shock or powered shock, but of you have a vinyl liner pool you will want to make sure you buy a “no burn” brand of pool shock so that you do not stain the liner. You will want to “triple shock” the pool by just tripling the dosage on the package.

Now that you have adjusted your chemicals and added your shock you will want to run your pool filter twenty four hours day until the swimming pool water is clear. In this time you will need to backwash the pool filter as needed.

How To Drain and Clean An Above Ground Pool That Is Green:

Before we even get started to tell you how to clear a green above ground swimming pool by draining it, PLEASE NOTE, that this can only be done with above ground pools and NOT in-ground or semi-above ground pools. Those types of pools can collapse when drained. Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep your pool liner cool and damp throughout the entire process otherwise the sun and the heat could shrink and dry out your liner causing it not to fit and then ripping when you go to fill the pool back up.

Now that you know the things you are not supposed to do you will want to get started in clearing up that messy green above ground pool that you have. You can drain the pool one of two ways. You can create a siphon by using a garden hose or the pool vacuum hose. Another way to drain the pool down is to use a submersible drainage pump. Do not use your pool pump unless you know what you are doing other wise you can run your pump dry and possible do damage. Once you start a siphon or get a pump drain the pool completely.

Once the pool is drain completely you will want to hop in and scoop out all the debris and any left over sludge. Be sure to wear water proof high boots so that your feet don’t get in the messy green algae or dirty water that may be left on the bottom of the pool floor. If everything is out of the pool you can also scrub it down with a wet rag to remove any stubborn stains. Once you are completely done cleaning the pool liner you can fill the pool back up with water and now you will have a nice blue refreshing swimming pool again. Also remember to set the chemicals back up in the pool now that you have brand new water that is untreated.

How To Clean A Green Pool With Extra Filters & Pumps:

Another way commonly used by swimming pool companies as well as large estates and even some homeowners, is the use of extra pumps and filters.

What you can do is set up external or extra pumps running inline with any type of pool filter and run them all at the same time, this creates another complete filter system cycle for every set up you add. For instance if your pump and filter usually takes four days to clear up your green pool water, if you were to get another filter system and you were to run it with and long side the other one your swimming pool would clear up twice as fast. If you had three systems, your swimming pool would be clear three times as fast and so on.

Now this might not be cost effective for the average pool owner that only gets a green pool every once and a while, so you may be better off trying another one of the five methods on how to clear your green pool or you could call around to your local swimming pool companies and ask them if they offer this type of service, which many swimming pool service will for a competitive and cost effective price. This method is great to get that pool clean if you are in rush or have a big event coming really soon and don’t have days to spare. You could even turn a green pool into a blue clear swimming pool in a few hours if you had enough pumps and filters.

This method is the most effective way by far to clean up your pool and if you can even borrow pumps and filters instead of buying or renting you could save even more money.

How To Clean & Clean Green Pools With Natural ECO Chemicals:

Another way to clear the dirty , swampy and green or even brown water in the pool is to use a non traditional method of using Natural pool chemicals that are also ECO-friendly. These chemicals are made by a company called Natural Chemistry and they make a wife variety of pool chemicals that are made from natural enzymes that work in several different ways. For example natural chemistry makes a product called “pool first Aid” that will clear swimming pool water that is green and brown. They also have a great product called Pool Pefect + PHOSfree that will keep your pool sparkling clear with no algae all season long.

Natural chemistry also makes another product in their line called “pool perfect with phos free” which is also designed to clear that same swampy and green pool water by using an ECO friendly solution.

How To clear a green pool with common household products:

If you are not in a rush and have some time to spare then the good news is that you can turn your green swimming pool water blue again just by using everyday household products. The two main things you will need are baking soda and bleach. The baking soda is the base and will control the ph and ALK levels of the water. Sodium bicarb or otherwise known as baking soda is the same exact thing at the stuff you are buying from the swimming pool store called ALK up.

The next thing you will need is bleach, sure bleach will not be as strong as pool shock but if your pool is only a bit green the household bleach will be enough to clear that water. Of course don’t forget that you will still have to run your swimming pool filter this whole time, so if you have a filter problem then you will want to repair that first.

Here are some commonly asked questions about green pools:

Question: “Can I run my pool heater while my pool is green?”

Answer: Yes, you can run your pool heater while the pool is green but its not a good idea. In fact the hotter the swimming pool water is the faster the algae will grow.

Question: “So your telling me baking soda is the same exact thing as Alk up that I have been paying big bucks for?”

Answer: Yes, That’s right, Baking soda is the same exact thing as Alkalinity up for your swimming pool. They are both the same chemical sodium bicarbonate.

Question: ” If I have leafs and other debris on the bottom of my pool should I scoop them first or after the pool water is clear?”

Answer: It’s always a good idea to try to remove as much as possible from the bottom of the swimming pool before or after the pool water is clear, The thing you do not want to do is to “stir up” the water when you are trying to clear the pool (i.e. after you added chems), because this will only make the pool water get worse.

Question: “What types of filters are required to clear my green pool?”

Answer: You can use a cartridge, sand, or even a D.E. Filter to clear the water of your swimming pool. The fastest type of pool filter that will clear your water in the shortest amount of time is a D.E. filter.

Now that we have showed you five different ways to choose from to tackle that nasty mess you have in your pool, you should have no problem clearing it up. Remember that just a little bit of pool maintenance each week can make a huge impact on your swimming pool water and you can totally avoid having a green pool to begin with.

32 Comments

    • Hello All,
      This is whats going on and can anyone give me some advice on it. Ok, I live in Fl, I am buying a house w/ an inground pool. About a month ago the pool was clear, but not it is green. I do not own the home yet, I’m waiting on the bank. But it there any cheap, simple solutions that I can perform now, that could help me save a lot of money once I do move in? No one lives in the home right now. The person selling the home accepted my offer, but it is a short sale and this could take some time to get approved. But while it is sitting there and no one is taking care of the pool, it has turned green. Any advice? Ofcoarse I will get permission from the current owner(whom is a realestate agent)to take prevent maintence of the pool.

      • I would wait until you own the house, Because you need to triple shock it and run the pump. If you do it now and the pump in not running and the pool is not being maintained you will be doing it again after you move in. Then it’s costing you double

  1. i have light green water my pool. have shocked alot, with no sign of change. 100 degree days. filtering good/constant. CALCIUM HARDNESS IS LOW. ph good, alkalinity good. stabilizer slightly high. chlorine over 10/20. IS their a common household product i can use for calcium chloride? i have not had this problem in the past. please advise.thanks

    • We add 1 oz of pool carifier per every 5000 gal of pool water to the pool and run the filter for 8 hours stright then turn it off at nite then in the morning the water is clear and all the green is at the bottom and has to be vaccuned out

  2. We’ve tried everything that you all mention but nothing is working.. We had a very bad storm that hit our town and we had a few walnut tree branches fall into the pool water along with the walnuts.. Since then our pool has been green.. Its going on a month and about a week now. I’m getting frustrated!!! We’re supposed to have a family get together at my house on Memorial Day however if I can’t get the pool water cleared I’m going to be mad.. Please help Help Help Help!!!

  3. MY HAD A SMALL GREEN CLOUD IN THE DEEP END ALITTLE OVER 3 WEEKS AGO, THE POOL PLACE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO TREAT FOR YELLOW ALGE OF WHICH I KEPT INSISTING THAT I DONT OR HAVE NOT HAD. AND TRIPPLE SHOCK. I HAVE DONE THIS 3 DIFF. TIMES,. AFTER THE 1ST TIME TURNED GREENER THAN IT WAS WHEN I STARTED THE SEASON WITH LEAVES IN IT. AFTER $300.00 SPENT MY DAUGHTER WHEN TO A POOL/SPA PLACE, THE SAID ADD ALGE/REMOVER/KILLER AND TRIPPLE SHOCK 78% $50.00, 2 DAYS LATER POOL STILL THE SAME. PLEASE HELP!! PUMP HAS BEEN ON 24/7, BEEN BACKWASHING??? POOL PLACE SAID IF WHAT THEY TOLD ME TO DO THEY DIDNT HAVE ANY IDEA? THANKS

    • Hi Debra.

      I would suggest getting pool perfect with phos free:

      Read all about it here:

      http://wetheadmedia.com/pool-perfect-phosfree/

      I would also make sure the ALK is 120, PH is 7.2 – 7.4 and run the filter day and night backwashing every 6 – 8 hours.

      This is also a great product to start with before the pool perfect I mentioned above,

      Pool First Aid
      http://naturalchemistry.com/pool-and-spa-products/products/show/10

      Pool First Aid…the problem solver!

      Pool First Aid combines powerful concentrated natural enzymes with a fast acting polymer clarifier for quick and easy clean-up of:

      * Dead algae
      * Pollen
      * Oil leaks & hydraulic spills
      * Antifreeze residue
      * Vandalism
      * High organic waste loads

      Pool First Aid will quickly free clogged filters of oils and organic build-up. No other product will remove dead algae more quickly and efficiently…in most cases no back washing is required.

      Please let me know if you need more help:

      Joseph

      • Hi, we just got a place with an Inground pool that has not been maintained for a few years, water is green I have all the necessary chemicals (I think) my questions are how long do I run the filter, after the water is clear how many hours a day does the filter need to run, and how often do I need to backwash? I am new to all this so I could use any help you can give me! Thanks!

  4. ahay I berly move in my home Ihired a pool guy his no good still adviseed your green I have two wonderful kids really Icannot afford it but they are giving me good grads all aaaaaaaaa so now Im tring hard before summer ends i live in sandiego hope me good look have ? how much clorex and baking powder need your advise medium size pool.

  5. To clear a green pool you dont need anything but shock and a vacum. Shock the heck out of it then wait 6 hrs and vac it by morning it will be clear as day.

  6. I have a 30 foot round above ground pool…..it’s GREEN! Ph is right on target and my chlorine is sky high, but still a green pool….what else can I do? the filter is running perfectly also! I have been fighting this now for over a week and still no clear water!!

  7. my pool is got a green color to it but its clear and not cloudy my alc is high ph is good and chlorine is on what should i do??

  8. I have a green swampy 17 x 33 inground pool and have tried everything more than twice to clear it…I have heard of the baking soda and bleach and I’m willing to try it however not sure how much of each to use or if it is to be used at the same time….please help me…..I feel like I’m swimming with the Loc Ness Monster….

    • Hi Diana,

      I would go out and get three cases of liquid shock and then run the filter for at least 72 – 96 hours straight while back washing every 4 – 6 hours during that time, adding one case of shock each day for three days.

      Once you get the pool clear you can use baking soda etc, But with the pool in that condition, I would suggest getting the standard pool shock from somewhere, it will be way more effective and you will have a blue pool sooner.

      Let me know if you need more help.

      Joseph

  9. have a pool man next door so not waste money on liq chlorine it is the same as clorox a lil less concentrated but just as good and baking soda household ammonia kills algea it is what is in algeacide i cup ammonia for every 3200 gallons 2 4 bottles bleach for super chlorination (depend on gallons in pool) and same as with baking soda. My parents used all the stuff ( they kicked it old school) I spent a fortune on chems until I had a pool man that is my filthy rich neighbors pool man tell me this stuff. I maintained a huge concrete pool with this stuff and now recently moved and use it for my vinyl above ground recently had a prob due to excessive heat and my lack of maintnence. Good luck clearing it up

  10. We filled up the new pool. Half with soft water half with straight well water. I used a test strip before I added any chemical and the water was slightly off. I used the pool start up shock and swim and chlorine tablet and within an hour my pool turned brown..NOT GREEN but brown.. I know we have a high iron in our water thats why we have a water softner. So I checked the test strip again.. All levels are where they should be but the water is BROWN….Help!!!!

    • I had this too and tried lots of money in chemicals, I did not know that you cannot use a metal remover until your chlorine is pretty much gone, let your free chlorine go way down to like one add metal control hth makes it at walmart let it circulate, then add a bottle of clarifier the next day super concentrated, my sand filter still would not clear the problem i had to use a de filter borrowed from my pool company, my pool was clear within 24hrs of continually running it. I was trying to clear the problem for 2 weeks! All i need was those three steps, once the metal is gone you can get your other numbers right, alot of times mine were safe for swimming just looked brown. Chlorine oxides with the metal and you get the brown color. So when you add water treat the metal before you shock. Frustrating lesson learned.

  11. I have an above ground pool. We shocked it last year but failed to get all the dead algae out. The pool water is clear but I cant get rid of the algae. As soon as you get in the pool it rises to the surface and although I constantly vac it and the pump runs for long periods it still wont go. I have tried floculant. Any suggestions other than emptying the pool greatly appreciated.

  12. i am tring to get my pool clear for over 3 week now it went from green to now a aqua blue not clear enough to see the bottom of the pool yet. any advise you could give to get this clear

    • Pool First Aid..bought it at Leslie’s Pool Supplies. I will work wonders on your pool. I recommend this product to anyone. Our pool was brown and after 2 days it was clear.

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