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Help for Green Pools
- Visit a pool supply shop and gather the basic materials for remedying your green pool situation. Buy pool chlorine granules, typically around 5 oz. per 2,500 gallons of water, a scrubbing brush to work off some of the algae and a pH test kit.
- Test the water's pH by mixing a sample of your pool water with another solution that changes color in accordance with the pH level. Do at least three tests according to the kit's specific instructions to verify similar results. Ideally, you want your pH to be between 7.2 and 7.6; a pH above this range can cause algae blooms, while a pH below this range can cause skin irritation.
- Powder or liquid buffers raise or lower the pH of water. Buy the proper buffer -- either one to raise pH or one to lower it -- and dissolve it in the pool water, where it will adjust the pH accordingly. The proper amount to add to your pool varies by manufacturer, so read the packaging and any specific instructions that go with your particular brand.
- Scrub the algae off the pool's sides with an abrasive scrubbing brush. Some algae with cling to the walls stubbornly and won't dissipate even after you add chlorine. If you allow the green water to sit for several weeks, algae may develop into long, thin strands known as algae hair, which can be difficult to remove.
- Add stabilized chlorine granules to your pool to shock your water; the amount of granules you add varies by brand, but is typically 5 oz. for each 2,500 gallons of pool water. The chlorine kills the algae in your water, and then your pool's pump will filter out the dead algae. Let the water circulate for at least 24 hours. If your green water has not improved substantially, add another dose of chlorine and pump the filter for another 24 hours. When you finish the process, clean the algae out of the pool filters and vacuum out the white residue left behind on the pool floor.
Materials
Testing the pH
pH Buffers
Scrub Clinging Algae
Add Chlorine
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