How to Get Green Out of a Salt Pool

Healthy and balanced swimming pools show no signs of green algae.

When installing a backyard pool, homeowners have the choice to use saltwater instead of regular water for their swimming system. While each type of water offers its own advantages, saltwater pools tend to fight algae better. This means that--as long as the pool is properly maintained--the homeowner should not find the ugly green plant growing in the pool. If you find green spots on your pool's surface, walls or floors, you need to perform some corrective maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Salinity test
• Salt
• Water
• Filter
• Scrub brush

Instructions

1. Test the salinity of your pool water using a tester kit available from your pool's manufacturer or local supply store. Follow instructions on the test, as different products may require different testing methods. Consult your pool's specific instructions to determine if the salinity is at the proper level.

2. Add more salt if necessary, per your pool's product instructions. The increase in pool salinity can help to stop algae from growing and spreading and may even eliminate small cases of green algae.

3. Clean your filter system to remove all dirt, dust and other buildup. If the filter is dirty, it will be unable to remove algae spores from the water. This will lead to more green growth. Follow specific filter instructions for cleaning.

4. Activate the filter and allow it to run constantly every day until the green is gone. Combined with the balanced water, this should eliminate the green algae from the pool.

5. Brush any algae growth off the walls and floor of your pool. Push the algae toward your filter or drains to have it quickly removed from the pool.

Tips & Warnings

• Algae grow best in sunny, warm conditions. Regulate your pool water to keep temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover your pool when not in use to help prevent algae growth.

• Test your pool's salinity at least every two weeks to maintain proper conditions. Unbalanced water is one of the primary causes of algae growth.

• Many pool supply stores offer algaecides to control green growth. Check with your pool's manufacturer before using these products to make sure you cannot harm the water or the pool itself.

References

• Eco Smarte Pool: Algae in Salt Water Pool
• Pool Center: Algae