How To Get Rid Of Algae In Pool

Pool algae is caused by low chlorine levels, poor water chemistry, or bad filtration. It can also be introduced into your pool by swimwear or toys that were used in natural bodies of water. If you notice the early stages of algae, it's time to act fast. Leave it for too long and it will multiply rapidly, turning into a full-scale algae bloom.

Unfortunately, typical doses of chlorine will not kill pool algae. And running your pool filter will not eliminate algae spores.

To get rid of algae in your pool, follow these step-by-step deep cleaning procedures. Then avoid algae blooms in the future by using these smart pool algae prevention measures.

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep reading for the complete troubleshooting guide on how to get rid of algae in your pool.

What Causes Pool Algae?

Algae spores are everywhere. They can get into your pool through rain, dirt, and even wind. But those pervasive algae spores become a problem when they multiply in your pool water, turn into an algae bloom, or start growing on your pool walls. Low chlorine levels, improper pH levels, or clogged, dirty filters create the perfect conditions for algae growth. Algae can also be introduced by contaminated swimwear or toys that were used in a river, pond, lake, or ocean with algae.

Algae prevention is a lot easier than treating an existing large algae problem. That's why it's so important to keep your pool water balanced, clean your filter system and wash off any swimwear or toys that have been used in natural bodies of water.

What Are The Different Types Of Pool Algae?

Knowing what type of pool algae you have will help you treat it. First, figure out what color algae is in your pool. Then, keep reading for a complete step-by-step walkthrough on how to get rid of algae.

Green pool algae is the most common and easiest algae to kill. However, this floating-green algae spreads quickly, clouding up your pool water and causing green slime on pool surfaces. Getting rid of green algae involves vacuuming and brushing your pool, then shocking and filtering your water.
Yellow pool algae, also called brown or mustard algae, is a rarer form of algae found in humid climates. It looks like globs of pollen or sand that cling to the shady corners of your pool. And unfortunately, it is chlorine-resistant. Killing mustard algae involves multiple rounds of brushing your pool surfaces and adding extra shock to your pool water. If you're wondering if you have yellow algae, check out our guide on how to get rid of mustard algae in a pool.
Black pool algae is actually a bacteria. Its roots dig into concrete surfaces, making it extremely tough to kill. Getting rid of black algae requires several rounds of deep cleaning, and it will grow back quickly if you aren't thorough. If you're wondering if you have black algae, check out our complete guide on how to diagnose and kill black algae in your pool.

What is pink algae?

Pink algae, also known as pink slime, is not an algae at all. This pink slime found on pool surfaces is actually an airborne bacteria. Compared to green algae, there's an entirely different process to get rid of it, which includes adding a pink algaecide. If you think you have a pink slime problem, check out our guide on how to get rid of pink slime in your pool.

How Do I Get Rid of Algae In My Pool FAST?

You can get rid of algae quickly by vacuuming and brushing your pool, balancing your pool's water chemistry, and then shocking and filtering your pool water. Just be thorough as you clean your pool surfaces. If you leave behind even a small number of algae spores, it won't be long before they regrow and bloom again.

1. Vacuum Your Pool Manually

Automatic or robotic pool cleaners aren't well suited for cleaning algae. You'll need to manually vacuum your pool on your filter's Waste setting. This allows you to bypass your filter, preventing contaminated, algae-filled water from recirculating back into your pool.

When you vacuum your pool manually, pay special attention to areas with algae. And be sure to refill your pool's water as you vacuum, maintaining your water level at least halfway up the skimmer. If you want to learn how to properly vacuum your pool, check out our guide on how to use a manual pool vacuum.

2. Brush Your Pool Walls and Floor

Scrubbing the algae off your pool walls helps chlorine get deeper into the remaining algae. It also loosens up contaminants so they can be killed and filtered out.

Using a stiff pool brush on a pole, brush the walls and floor of your pool. Pay special attention to corners and shady areas where algae is usually worst. As you go, your water will become cloudy, obstructing your view, so brush the tougher spots first.

If you have a concrete or gunite pool, use a pool brush with stainless steel bristles to remove algae from your pool walls. Otherwise, we recommend using a nylon bristle pool brush:

3. Test and Balance the Water

Use test strips, a digital kit, or a liquid test kit to test your alkalinity and pH. Balancing your water chemistry now ensures your sanitizer will be effective against the algae. High pH or low alkalinity will especially inhibit pool shock.

Our Top Pick

Complete Liquid Test Kit for Pools and Hot Tubs

4. Shock Your Swimming Pool

Adding shock to your pool super-chlorinates your water. And this extra dose of sanitizer will kill algae growth. The more serious your pool algae problem, the more shock you'll need.

We recommend using calcium hypochlorite shock, or cal-hypo shock, as an effective algae treatment. Follow the package instructions to determine the dose for your pool size, then multiply that by two, three, or four depending on which type of algae you've got.

Green Algae: Double dose of shock (x2)
Yellow or Dark Green Algae: Triple dose of shock (x3)
Black Algae: Quadruple dose of shock (x4)

Here is the type of cal-hypo shock we recommend:

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hypochlorite Shock

Use the entire contents of the bag when opened. If any granules settle to the bottom of the pool use brush to disperse. Add the right dosage of this product during evening hours while the filter pump is running.

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Remember to shock your pool at dusk or night. If you shock during the day, the sun will eat up most of the chlorine before it has a chance to kill the algae. And put your cleaning equipment, like your vacuum head or pool brush, in the shallow end of your pool so your tools will get sanitized while the shock is in the water.

Be sure to run your filter for eight hours or overnight to circulate the shock. If there's still a significant amount of algae in your pool, repeat the brushing and shocking process again.

If you need help shocking your pool, check out our guide on how to use pool shock.

5. Filter Out The Pool Algae

After your shock treatment kills the algae, it'll turn your water a cloudy blue. Run your filter continuously for a minimum of eight hours or until the water clears up.

6. Test Your Pool Water Again

Make sure your water chemistry is balanced and your chlorine level is back to normal before anyone gets back into the water. Adjust your alkalinity, pH, and chlorine levels as needed. You may also want to test your cyanuric acid and calcium hardness levels since you've removed water from your pool and replaced it with fresh water.

7. Clean Your Pool Filter

Your filter just processed a lot of contaminated water. And the last thing you want is your dirty filter slowly adding microscopic algae spores back into your pool. Deep clean your filter cartridges by soaking them in diluted muriatic acid, or by replacing them entirely. If you have a sand or D.E. filter, now's the time to backwash.

Want to stop your pool from ever turning green again? Check out our pool care video course. You'll learn how to keep your pool chemistry in check so you never have to deal with algae outbreaks in the future.

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Can You Use Algaecide to Get Rid of Pool Algae?

No, we do not recommend using algaecide to get rid of a large algae problem. But algaecide is effective for early-stage algae growth, small amounts of algae, or as a preventive measure. For more information on using algaecide, check out our article The Truth About Using Pool Algaecide.

After vacuuming, brushing and shocking your pool, you can use an algaecide to help kill any remaining algae. Wait for your chlorine levels to fall below 5 ppm after shocking your pool. Then add a dose of algaecide. Brush your pool to loosen any last bits of algae you can't see. The algaecide will help kill remaining algae particles before they're filtered out.

Here's the algaecide we recommend. Add this as a final step in the algae clean up process or as a preventative measure in your pool:

Our Top Pick

Pool Algaecide 60 (Copper-Free)

Can You Use Pool Flocculant to Remove Pool Algae?

Yes, 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. But if you have anything more serious than a mild green algae problem, we recommend you follow the full cleaning plan.

Here is the pool flocculant we recommend for milder algae problems:

Our Top Pick

Pool Flocculant Water Clarifier

Pool floc binds particles (and dead algae) that are making your water cloudy together and sinks to the bottom of your pool so you can easily vacuum out the cloudy mess.

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11/25/2021 05:58 am GMT

Here's how to use pool flocculant to get rid of early-stage algae:

If you have a multiport valve on your filter, shut off your pump and turn the valve to Recirculate or Recycle. This will mix the floc around without filtering the water. If you need help understanding your multiport valve, check out our guide on how to use a multiport valve.
Add the recommended dosage of flocculant to your pool.
Circulate your water for two hours, then shut off your pump and let it sit overnight. The floc will bind to the algae, then settle on the pool floor.
Turn the multiport valve set to Waste so dirty water doesn't blast back into your pool through your return lines.
Hook up your backwash hose to the Backwash/Waste port. Direct your wastewater appropriately.
Vacuum your pool. Work slowly to make sure you get all the thick sediment off the bottom. If the water gets too cloudy, you may need to stop and allow the particles to settle again before continuing to vacuum.
Add water while you're vacuuming to maintain your pool's water level.
Double shock immediately after vacuuming to eliminate any remaining algae. You may also want to brush the pool sides and floor before shocking.
Run your filter until the water clears.

How to Prevent Algae in Your Pool

Following these basic pool maintenance principles will help prevent future algae issues.

Test and balance your water once a week, after rainstorms, or after heavy use (like pool parties). Adjust your alkalinity, pH, and chlorine levels as needed
Shock your pool once a week during peak pool season
Run your pump 8 to 12 hours per day to fully circulate your water
Clean or backwash your filter regularly
Wash and sanitize your swimwear, pool equipment, floats, and toys before introducing them back into your pools
Add flocculant or algaecide if you notice the early stages of algae growth

Frequently Asked Questions about Algae in Pools

Looking for more help with algae in your pool? Here are some common questions and answers.

Can you swim in a pool with algae?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Algae itself is not harmful to swimmers, but pools with lots of algae can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens like E-coli. And cloudy water caused by algae can be a hazard if swimmers can't see the bottom of the pool. Avoid swimming in a pool that isn't properly sanitized and cleaned.

How do you treat algae in saltwater pools?

Getting rid of algae in a saltwater pool is exactly the same process as a traditionally chlorinated pool. Remember, a saltwater pool is a chlorine pool. You are just adding salt instead of a chemical to generate chlorine. Like a traditional chlorine pool, you'll want to use calcium hypochlorite shock, also known as cal-hypo shock. For more information, check out our guide on how to remove algae from a saltwater pool.

Does shock kill algae in pools?

Yes, shock is the key ingredient to killing algae in pools. Shock raises the free chlorine levels in your pool water to the point where contaminants like algae die off. Depending on the severity of your algae growth, you'll need to add 2-4 doses of shock. And it's normal to see cloudy water after killing algae with shock. The water should clear up after you run your filter. Just be sure to vacuum and brush your pool before using shock. This helps remove and loosen up large amounts of algae.

Here's the type of shock we recommend:

Our Top Pick

Calcium Hypochlorite Shock

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Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It's a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
Check out our Pool Care Course. You'll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a step-by-step downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

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