The last time I filled my backyard pool water, it was crystal clear. But after adding algaecide to kill the algae that’s been building up in my pool, the water looks cloudy. What am I doing wrong?
There are a number of reasons why your swimming pool might be cloudy after using algaecide. Maybe you’re not following the directions on how much algaecide to add or when to use it, but there are other possibilities.
Algae can grow back quickly if you don’t vacuum regularly and keep your filter running properly. If this is happening, then chances are high that there is something else in your pool’s chemistry causing problems too – like an imbalance of alkalinity, pH balance, or calcium hardness levels Which means it’ll take more than algaecide to get your pool back into tip-top shape.
Common reasons why the pool is cloudy
Here are 5 common reasons why your pool is cloudy after adding algaecide, and simple fixes for each problem.
1) Not using the right amount of algaecide – It might seem like just a little bit of algae that you’re trying to kill, but you’ll need enough algaecide to kill it all and not be left with dead algae clogging your pool’s filter.
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2) Not following the directions on how much algaecide to add – While it might seem like a lot of work, reading the directions on your algae treatment bottle will save you time and money in solving your pool problem. Most manufacturers recommend a dose based on the size of your pool, so it’s better to start with a lower concentration and add more if necessary.
3) Adding algaecide too often – If you’re adding algaecide every few days or every week, then chances are high that you’re not giving that chemical enough time to work effectively. Once you add your algaecide, let it sit in the water for at least 24-48 hours before adding anything else to your pool.
4) Not maintaining proper filter pressure – If you don’t have enough pressure on your filter, then not only will it take longer for the filters to clear out algae, but they’ll also let a lot more of it pass through. If you need help, check your filter’s manual to find out the recommended range for optimal filtration.
5) Not vacuuming regularly – Without proper care, your pool will quickly turn green again after you’ve killed the algae once and for all with algaecide. Be sure to vacuum once a week to remove any old leaves, twigs, and other debris that might be lurking at the bottom of your pool. Also make sure to brush off walls, steps, and ladders after vacuuming so algae don’t get pushed around.
Bottom Line – While adding algaecide is an easy way to kill algae in your pool, follow the directions and make sure you’re not doing anything else to further complicate matters. If you need help solving your cloudy pool problems, contact us for more advice on how to get it back into shape.
How long does it take for the pool to clear after treating with Algaecide?
It could take up to 24 hours for the pool water to clear after treating with Algaecide. We suggest waiting at least 48-72 hours before adding any more items (shock, algaecide, etc) to your pool water. If there are no signs of clearing you may need to shock your pool or drain and refill with fresh water.
What is the best type of Algaecide to use?
There are many types of algaecides on the market, all with different sizes and features that can help you manage your pool’s algae problem. The best thing to do is read reviews of each product to determine which will work best for your pool and your needs.
There are also many different types of sanitizers and clarifiers that work well with algaecide to give you crystal clear pool water. The most important thing is to take care of the problem as soon as it occurs to prevent any future problems from occurring as well – if algae keep coming back then you may need to look into a more permanent solution.
We recommend the following:
1) Algae scrubber pad with copper – kills algae and prevents future growth by removing the blade of grass or hair algae. This is excellent for pool walls, floor, step, and ladders.
2) Shock plus algaecide – shock treatment kills algae and helps control non-living organic waste that causes algae growth. This is ideal for pool water and should be used after treating with Algae Scrubber Pad.
3) Clarifier plus algaecide – clarifier helps manage your pool’s clarity and prevents the development of new algae by reducing non-living organic waste and combining it with existing algae to aid in its removal.
When should I use algaecide?
Algaecide can be used any time of the year, although it’s best to treat your pool at least once a week during warm weather when algae tend to grow more frequently. Treating your pool regularly will help control algae growth and minimize the frequency of treatments.
Be sure to test your water regularly and shock if necessary before adding algaecide.
What does Algaecide do?
Algaecide is designed to remove existing algae from your pool, backyard pond, or any other source whether it be above or below the surface. It works by binding to algae cells and changing them into a form that can no longer reproduce.
This is a temporary solution and should be used in conjunction with regular pool maintenance to prevent further algae growth.
How often should I add algaecide to my pool?
We suggest using algaecide at least once a week during warm weather, and once every two weeks during the cooler months when algae tend to grow slower. It’s also a good idea to treat your pool after heavy rain, thunderstorms, or high winds that can stir up dirt and debris that gets into the water.
The pool is still cloudy after treating with algaecide, what should I do?
You may have over-shocked your pool. The right amount of shock is about 2lb per 10000 gallons, if you have a 20K gallon pool – then you should be using 4lbs. Many people get more confused about how many pounds are in one kilogram, so they use the same conversion for kg to lbs and get more than expected.
So to put it simply – your pool shock is probably too strong.
To clear it up, you need to drain a large portion of the water and refill it with fresh stuff. While shocking is the first step in the right direction – if your pool still looks cloudy after shocking, then you probably just didn’t have enough of the chemicals in your pool before.
To get rid of that cloudy look as soon as possible, you need to empty the water in your pool, refill it with fresh stuff, and then do a couple of extra steps that are known to solve cloudy pools.
Here’s how to fix that problem:
- Drain Your Pool if this is an option for you, go ahead and drain your pool until there’s only about 30% left, this should clear up that cloudy water for you.
- Refill Your Pool and add a different type of algaecide than what you used before. There are tons of types around and it’s important to get the one recommended by your manufacturer to avoid irritation and other issues while using it.
- Shock Your Pool this is where you add a new dose of that super-powerful pool shock we were talking about before, and it can literally kill all of the algae floating around your pool.
- Brush Your Pool This will help get rid of whatever is left over and make it easier for your filter to push everything out of the way. You can also let the filter run for 2 – 5 days after everything else until it’s crystal clear.
- Test Your Pool After all of this, your pool should be looking great again. If you want to double-check that the problem is solved, re-test your water and see if there are any algae particles left. Chances are they will be very few – if any at all.
- You can finally start swimming again. Yay!
References:
The Truth About Using Algaecide In Your Pool https://www.swimuniversity.com/algaecide/