How To Get Rid of Algae In Your Pool Quickly

If you’ve just removed your pool cover to discover that your pool has gone cloudy, green or even has little blackspot mould spores growing in the pebblecrete, you’re not alone.

Pool algae is a common issue that many pool owners face at some point and can be caused by a number of factors such as storms, excessive dirt trapped under pool covers, excessively prolonged periods of cover usage, or even too much phosphate in the water.

Why does my pool have algae?

Algae spores are always present in the environment and can enter your pool in various ways: through the wind, rain, or leaves, debris or even contaminated pool tools and swimsuits. Following rain, a pool can quickly turn green, especially if the water chemistry is already unbalanced.

Types of Pool Algae

There are 4 main types of algae commonly found in pools. These include; 

Black Pool Algae: Most commonly found in pebblecrete or concrete pools with porous surfaces or cracks, blackspot algae is stubborn and resistant to chlorine. In order to remove black pool algae from your pool, you’ll need to kill it at the root with a strong concentrated chemical, such as the Vitalyse Blackspot Granular Treatment and use a stainless steel brush to break up the root to allow the chemical solution to penetrate. Ensure that you also clean out your pool filter and treat accordingly (change media, or replace cartridge) to ensure that there are no hidden spores waiting to emerge.

Mustard Pool Algae: Commonly mistaken for metal or rust staining at the bottom of the pool, mustard algae is also very resistant to chlorine and algaecides. Difficult to get rid of, it’s typically transferred from bathing suits & pool toys, meaning it’s highly prone to spread from one pool to another (as it doesn't get removed in the washing machine!) The best way to treat yellow or mustard algae is by super shocking your pool with ACid & TriChlor [link recommended product] closely followed by cleaning out your pool’s filter and treating all hoses, pool floats, toys, etc to ensure that it doesn’t come back.

Green Pool Algae: The easiest type of the lot, green pool algae spores typically bloom after heavy rain or humidity. Green algae can be removed by removing phosphates from the water which is algaes food source! This is conjunction with a good scrub of the walls and floor to detach any spores, followed by a dose of acid and TriChlor to keep green algae at bay. [link recommended products]

Pink Pool Algae: Usually discovered as a slimy film with a slightly pink hue, pink algae in your pool is not actually an algae at all - It’s actually a bacteria. It is commonly found in your shower or in your pets water bowl but can also be found in your pool due to poor pool maintenance and water circulation.

If you find pink mould in your pool, it’s likely in your pool filter too. Depending on the type of filter you have, start by replacing the media and/or cartridge to ensure that there are no hidden spores growing, followed by brushing the walls and floor, then a shock treatment, such as Vitaylse Shock ‘N’ Clear and often might require a stronger treatment of acid and TriChlor. Note: Pink algae also likes to grow under pipe fittings or light fixtures in your pool too, so ensure you clean around these areas too.

If you find any of these types of pool algae in your pool, contact your local Poolwerx. Your local pool service team can assist with safely dosing your pool with the correct chemicals and adequately treating the pool water, to ensure it’s safe for swimming. 

How to remove algae from pool

1. Step 1: Test and Balance 

Your Pool Water: Ensure your pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels are in the correct ranges. Pool algae thrives in unbalanced water.

1. Step 2: Shock Your Pool: 

Pool shock is a powerful chlorine-based chemical that kills algae and other bacteria. It's a critical step in clearing up a green pool.

1. Step 3: Brush and Vacuum: 

Physically remove algae by brushing the walls and floor, then vacuuming up the debris. For stubborn pool algae stains, specialised pool vacuums and brushes are necessary. Remember to brush the whole pool and not just the breakout areas. Algae has a very good habit of relocating unless the whole pool is brushed.

1. Step 4: Use an Algaecide: 

After shocking, add an algaecide as this is designed to prevent algae and can be an effective maintenance treatment. Products vary depending of the type of algae you’re treating, so it's crucial to find one suited to your pool type and algae issue.

1. Step 5: Run Your Filter:

Keep your filtration system running longer than usual to help clear the water. Backwash the algae down the drain. Give the filter a clean with a cleaner and degreaser, like the one from Vitalyse. [link] Clean and backwash the filter to remove any algae and ensure it doesn't continue to bloom and spore.

1. Step 6: Proactive Maintenance: 

Prevent future algae outbreaks by maintaining proper water chemistry, regularly brushing and vacuuming the pool, and using a preventative algaecide treatment weekly.

Remember, if you don't clean your equipment (brush & pole) after treating the pool, the spores can hide and return to the pool the next time you use that equipment.

What kills pool algae the fastest?

The fastest way to kill algae in your pool is by using a strong shock treatment that contains at least 70% chlorine. For a 50,000 litre pool, increase the circulation in your pool by running your filtration system for 24 hours a day until clear and dosing with 250 - 450 grams of shock for 3-4 days until the algae is dead.

If the pool algae keeps coming back, it's often due to lapses in regular maintenance or environmental factors that introduce more spores into your pool. Regular water testing and treatment with an algaecide can help reduce these occurrences.

Contact your local Poolwerx to book your green pool clean, or download our algae maintenance & removal guide here to learn more.

With the right care and a bit of effort, your pool can be transformed from green to clean in no time.

And for that extra furry bather load!

Dogs bring more than hair into the pool — they bring dirt and skin oil, just like humans, and faecal matter as well!  All of these can add organics and phosphates, which algae love to feed on. If your dog swims in your pool, ensure you get your water regularly checked at your local Poolwerx store. 

And whilst letting dogs into your pools is a personal choice, remember that pets, just like animals can be affected by unhealthy water. Dirty pool water can cause skin irritations, sore eyes, gastrointestinal upsets or worse for your furry friends!