How To Get Rid Of Algae In Your Swimming Pool

Step 1

Identify the type of algae- There are several types of algae that can grow in your swimming pool. Proper treatment depends on what type of algae is growing in your swimming pool. Green algae is the most common form of algae found in swimming pools. This type of algae can be found floating in the swimming pool, but can also be found on the walls. Your pool will become less clear and will have a green color to it. The wall green algae can grow in sheets and be slimy.

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Step 2

Yellow/mustard algae is a wall algae. Mustard algae, is often found in shady parts of the swimming pool. It is a hard algae to fight as it often comes back. If this is the type of algae that is in your swimming pool, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Step 3

By far the hardest type of algae to deal with is black algae. It comes in dark black, green or blue spots. It is a tar like deposit and the spots are tiny, usually no larger than a dime. Once black algae finds a way into your swimming pool, it is very difficult to get rid of. What makes it difficult are the roots. They can extend into plaster or grout and need to be taken out or it will come back.

Step 4

The last type of algae is called pink algae. Pink algae is more of a fungus and is typically found in cracks, corners, and crevices in the pool. It is usually in one area and appears as small pink spots.

Step 5

Circulation- Turn your pump and filter on to run for 24 hours per day. It is important that while you are running your pump you continuously you are backwashing your filter as needed.

Step 6

Brushing the walls- Using a Nylon Swimming Pool Brush brush down the pool walls to get as much algae off of the walls. This will help when you add chemicals into the swimming pool. If you have a concrete pool use a steel brush, if you have a vinyl pool use the Nylon Swimming Pool Brush.

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Step 7

Water chemistry- Using test strips, check your pH levels. It should be between 7.2 - 7.6, alkalinity between 80 - 120 ppm, and calcium hardness between 200 -400 ppm to ensure that your chemicals will work properly when added to the swimming pool.

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Step 8

Shock your pool- Add a chlorine-based shock as needed. You will usually need 1 pound per 10,000 gallons of pool water (no algae problem). Since an algae problem is present, you will need 2 pounds per 10,000 gallons.

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Step 9

Allow the filter to do it's job- Check in 12 to 24 hours to see if your pool has made any change for the better. If it has not add a second dose of shock at a rate of 1 pound per 10,000 gallons. Repeat until the water condition improves.

Step 10

Vacuum the pool to waste- If you have to use your filter to vacuum, make certain that the filter valve is set to waste (sand or d.e. filters only). This will bypass the filter and force what you are vacuuming directly out of the pool. It is very important that you get as much as the algae out of the pool so they do not start forming again.

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Step 11

Algaecide- Use the proper algaecide to maintain your swimming pool and keep the algae at bay.

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