Clearing Green Pools….. How To Do It!

Clearing green pools can be challenging and time-consuming. Green, algae-filled swimming pools occur for a variety of reasons. Now that we are having summer type weather in the Las Vegas area, the number of phone calls with swimming pool owners complaining about algae in their pools is definitely increasing. Algae love warm water and if you don’t know what to look for or how to remove it, it can be extremely frustrating and challenging. The purpose of this blog post is to discuss why algae blooms occur and how clearing green pools can be done with just a few simple steps.

The following are some of the main reasons why your pool water turns green:

1. Lack of chlorine
2. Lack of filtration
3. Increase in number of phosphates

First, chlorine is vital to prevent the growth of algae in your swimming pool. Many swimming pool owners will use granulated, liquid, and tabs to increase the levels of chlorine in their pool. If you have a salt system that is another way to introduce this vital sanitizer into your swimming pool. No matter what you choose to use (and there are benefits of using one over the other) you must have a minimum of 3 parts per million (ppm) during the summer months. If you have a lot of swimmers or during times of storms this level might need to increase to 5ppm. This is a simple step that can turn a green pool to blue quickly. Please note, depending on what type of filter you have can also determine how quickly this happens.

Second, lack of filtration is another reason why algae will grow in your swimming pool. Typically, most swimming pool owners try to save on electricity during the winter time so they lower the number of hours that they filter their pool. Please note, your pool should filter a minimum of 10 hours a night. If you have a larger pool this number might need to increase. This is vital for circulation of the water and chemicals.

Last, phosphates are another reason why your pool is growing algae. Phosphates are a food for algae and if they aren’t properly handled. The typical sign of phosphates in your pool is the fact that you are reading adequate chlorine but algae is growing. This is more common during spring time and when you have a lot of vegetation that has blown into the pool.

In the end, the two most common reasons why algae grow in your swimming pool is because of lack of chlorine and inadequate filter fun times. At Clark County Pool & Lawn we are experienced at clearing green pools and are here to help and take the stress of taking care of a swimming pool away from you. Contact us today if we can help!