How To Get Rid Of Pool Algae Quickly (Smart Ways)

The Pool algae is caused by a few specific reasons. It may be due to low chlorine levels, water chemistry issues, or maybe your pool’s filtration system just isn’t up to scratch.

If you notice the early stages of algae developing in your pool. it’s important not to delay any treatment procedures because if you do and let them continue on undetected for too long, they will multiply rapidly until turning into a full-blown algae bloom.

To prevent algae in your pool, use these quick and easy step-by-step instructions. Also take the necessary steps to avoid a future outbreak by following our smart measures that will help keep your water crystal clear.

What Causes of Pool Algae In My Pool

Algae spores are swarming everywhere. They get into your pool through roof runoff from heavy rains and dirt, or even by the wind. But those pesky algae spores become a giant problem for your pool when they multiply in your water, turn into an algae bloom, or start growing on the sides of your walls.

Low chlorine levels, improper pH levels, dirty filters, or dirty surfaces create the perfect conditions for healthy algae to grow including things like inflatable rafts which can be used in other bodies of water like a river or lake which may come with unclean water.

Starting off by preventing any algae problems rather than having to take care of them after they already have begun is the best course of action. That’s why it’s so important to keep your pool balanced, make sure to clean the filter system, and wash off anything used in natural bodies of water.

Different Types of Algae

It’s helpful to know what type of algae you have in your pool. It will help you treat it. First, determine the color of your algae. Then, read on for a step-by-step process for treating your pool from algae.

Green Pool Algae.

Green algae can be removed and prevented by the simple and effective technique of scrubbing down the sides of your pool. Filtering water to remove dirt particles, leaves and other floating objects that might be adding to the algae’s growth process.

The side walls of your pool may need to be removed periodically in order to kill green algae completely. Because this type of algae will grow on any surface that is in direct sunlight.

how to clean green pool Algae — Green Pool Algae

which means you have to make sure that any wall coverings attached there are safely taken off first so they don’t get trapped on the main body of your pool.

Yellow Pool Algae.

Yellow Pool Algae is rarer than green pool algae and appears in the corners of your pool that receive less light. It has a dark mustard color that looks like pollen or sand, and it’s difficult to remove.

Yellow Mustard Pool Algae — Yellow/Mustard Pool Algae

It’s resistant to chlorine, so the best way to get rid of it is by brushing it off and adding extra shock treatment to the water.

Black Pool Algae

Black Pool Algae is actually a bacteria. It roots itself in surfaces like concrete and makes it extremely tough to kill. In order to get rid of this problem, one needs to first do repeated deep cleansings and soon enough the pool will be clear again.

However, if one doesn’t do the necessary steps needed in order to remove the source of the problem then black algae will grow back quickly.

How to Get Rid of Algae In My Pool FAST?

There are several things you can do to get rid of algae in your pool quickly. You will want to vacuum and brush the surface of the water, balance your pool’s chemistry using a test kit, treat your water with high levels of chlorine (shock), and then filter the water as normal.

However, it’s important that you are thorough in cleaning off all surfaces as there may be traces of algae left behind especially if they have been present for some time.

How to Get Rid of Pool Algae

If you fail to perform spot checks into areas where algae may hide or not clean them well enough, any algae spores lingering in these sections might begin to bloom again before long.

1- Manually Vacuum Your Pool

Automatic or robotic pool cleaners might not do much in terms of cleaning up your algae but they will certainly help if you have a problem with water evaporation. You should manually vacuum your pool on your filter’s Waste setting and basically eliminate the use of filtration.

This will help prevent your filter from becoming clogged up and allow for the removal of contaminated, algae-filled water before it’s recycled back into your pool again.

2- Brush Your Pool Walls and Floor

One of the best ways to get rid of algae in your swimming pool is with a pool brush. Scrub the walls and floor of your pool, including all its corners, crevices, and any other shady spots where algae can bloom.

Using a strong swim brush will assist chlorine in getting deeper into affected areas as it loosens contaminants. That may have settled there either from people or pets using your pool or simply as a byproduct of weather conditions.

Metal pool brush last for many years. Its wide brushing area help to clean pool algae fastly. It coves pool edges, corners and stairs also.

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This is also preferable for those with sensitive skin in particular as scrubbing does a better job. Then the skimming method by which many pools are regularly cleaned this helps stop algae from returning to remain afloat.

3- Use Test Kit And Balance Water

It’s important to use test strips, liquid kits or digital kits to monitor different water chemistry limitations. Balancing your water chemistry now ensures that the sanitizer you use will be effective as a method of control against algae growth in your pool.

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Item Weight	3.99 pounds
Manufacturer	Taylor Technologies

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If pH or alkaline levels become too high, the effectiveness of your sanitizer will be reduced.

4- Shock The Swimming Pool

Adding shock to your pool super-chlorinates the water. And this extra dose of sanitizer will kill algae growth and also help reduce any unwanted chemicals in your pool as well! The more serious your pool algae problem is, the higher concentration of shock you’ll need.

Remember to shock your pool at dusk. The chlorine will be able to do its job properly during this time with the exception of some residual light pollution which may make it through if you don’t cover your pool area with a shade cloth.

While shocking, you can also put other toxic supplies such as your filter head or cleaning brush in the shallow end of your pool where they can sanitize themselves while the chlorine dose is getting shocking.

Brand	DryTec
Weight	24 Pounds
Benefits	Kills Bacteria, Controls Algae

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5- Filter The Pool Algae

After the shocking process kills algae, you’ll need to let your water settle for a minimum of 8 hours. This is a vital step as it helps separate out all the dead particles that might actually cloud the water and generally make it harder to see when everything begins to clear up.

6- Test Water Balance Again

Close off the pool from the water supply immediately, retest your chlorine levels to make sure that it’s up to par again, and re-balance the chemicals in your water. Calibrate your pH level accordingly.

Nobody can use your pool until you are confident that nothing will happen to them like burns or infections – so make sure you do a full inspection before getting back in.

You may need to test for cyanuric acid and calcium hardness as well, since pool watering isn’t seen often.

7- Clean Your Pool Filter

Your filter system just processed contaminated water and the last thing you want is your dirty filter slowly adding tiny algae spores back into your pool.

To clean it thoroughly, soak your filter cartridges in diluted muriatic acid so that the whole structure of the cartridge is cleaned by each acid crystal.

If you have a sand or D.E. filter, backwash them now to flush out any of the spores from getting back into your pool again through normal use of your pool water filtration system.

Use of Algaecide to Get Rid of Pool Algae is Good?

If you have a small algae problem, you can use an algaecide to control it. Trichlor is the most popular algaecide on the market. However, if your pool has a large number of algae, we recommend using chlorine instead.

Chlorine doesn’t cost as much as algaecides and it isn’t as difficult to handle because it can be corrosive and difficult to dissolve and measure accurately into your water source.

We also don’t know how much copper will be introduced into your pool’s water with an algaecide so that’s another downside of using an algaecide.

There’s a lot of cleaning to do when it comes to keeping your swimming pool sparkling. But after you’ve vacuumed, brushed and shocked the water, wait for chlorine levels to fall below five parts per million.

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Once they’ve returned back to safe levels, add algaecide to help eradicate the remaining algae slip-ups that you might not have seen. Then use the pool brush to scrub your way out of any problems. Now it’s time for a little rest.

Use of Pool Flocculant to Remove Pool Algae is Good?

You can use pool flocculant to treat the early stages of algae growth. This additive bonds to floating algae particles, making it easier to vacuum them out of your pool. However, if you have anything more serious than a mild green algae problem, we highly recommend following the full cleaning plan.

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How to use pool flocculant to get rid of early-stage algae.

If there is a multiport valve on your filter, shut off the pump and turn the valve to Recirculate or Recycle.

Add the recommended amount of flocc in your pool.

Turn on your circulator filter. Then wait two hours for the floc to dissolve into the water and settle.

Let it to settle over night. Flocculant will bound algae and settle down in your pool.

Now turn on the backwash of the filter.

Hook up the waster line to backwash this dirty water.

Vacuum your pool. Work slowly to make sure you get all the sediment off the bottom. If the water gets too cloudy. You can use manual pool vacuum.

you may need to stop and allow the particles to settle again before continuing to vacuum.

If there’s been algae in the pool, then it’s best to shock it after you’ve vacuumed up any debris that might otherwise diminish the effects of the shock treatment. To be on the safe side, brush or vacuum the pool walls and floor first.

Vacuum up any algae especially if there is a lot of it so that all that remains is harmless sedimentation behind. Run your filter continuously until the water comes back to its clear state.

How to Prevent Algae to Grow in Your Pool

Test and balance pool water chemistry on weekly basis. Especially after rainstorms or heavy use. Balance the recommended level of chlorine, ph and alkalinity.
In the summer season, shock your pool once a week.
Run your pool pump daily to circulate the pool water.
Clean your pool filter regularly and check it is working well.
Wash and sanitize your pool equipment, toys, and swimwear before going into the pool.
When you notice early stages of algae then use flocculant or algaecide to prevent it.

FAQs about Pool Algae

Can you swim in a pool with algae?

Algae itself isn’t harmful, but when there’s too much of it in the water. it creates murky cloudiness that could hamper visibility and create bacteria or pathogens that could make people sick if they visit the pool.

Visibility is key to swimming safely. It’s important as a pool owner or a swimmer to make sure that the pool is safe so swimmers can enjoy themselves.

How do you treat algae in saltwater pools?

Getting rid of algae in a saltwater pool is just like the process of getting rid of algae in a chlorinated pool. Both systems use chlorine to keep the water sanitized.

In both cases you’re using a chemical as opposed to salt which acts similarly as you would know if you have owned an above ground pool at some point.

Like a normal chlorine system, you will want to use calcium hypochlorite shock, also known as a cal-hypo shock during this process.

Does shock kill algae in pools?

To kill algae in your pool, use shock. Add shock to raise the chlorine level in your water and/or take out a membership to the Da Vinci Code. Two to four doses of shock are required depending upon the severity of your emergency situation.