Algae in your pool can be the most aggravating part of owning a swimming pool. So of course we often get the question how to get rid of pool algae. Algae can enter your swimming pool through wind, rain, or people entering your swimming pool. Through poor circulation of the swimming pool the algae can thrive and grow in your swimming pool. At this point though you probably are not worried about how the algae got there, but rather how to get rid of pool algae.

Identify the Algae

There are several types of algae that can grow in your swimming pool. Proper treatment depends on what type of algae is growing in your swimming pool.

Green Algae

Green algae is the more common of the algae’s found in swimming pools. This type of algae can be found floating in the swimming pool, but can also be found on the walls. Your pool will become less clear, and have a green color to it. Green algae can grow in sheets and be slimy.

Yellow Algae

Yellow algae is a wall algae. Mustard algae is often found in shady parts of the swimming pool. Yellow algae is a hard algae to fight. It often comes back. So if this is the algae that is in your swimming pool then it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Black Algae

By far the hardest algae to deal with is black algae. It comes in dark black, green, or blue spots. It is a tar-like deposit. The spots are tiny, no larger than a dime. Once black algae finds a way into your swimming pool it is very difficult to get rid of. The roots are the key. They can extend into plaster or grout and need to be taken out or it will come back.

Pink Algae

This bacteria is found in cracks, corners, and crevices. They are in one area and appear as small pink spots.

How Do I Get Rid of Pool Algae?

Below is a list of types of swimming pools and how we suggest riding your swimming pool of the type of algae.

Green Algae Floating in the Pool

Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6 to ensure once again that your chemicals will behave properly when added.
Add Vinyl Shock (Dichlor) as directed on the manufacturer dosage suggestion for use with algae.
Allow the pool pump and filter to run for full 24 hour days and backwash your filter as much as possible.
Check in 12–24 hours to see if your pool has made a drastic change for the better. If it has not, add a second batch of Vinyl Shock (Dichlor). Repeat until green algae has been eliminated. Eliminated means you no longer see green in your pool. The algae will turn white or grayish in color.
The algae will settle on the top or on the bottom of the pool. Vacuum the rest of the algae out of the pool. We recommend you use a vacuum that does not go direct to your filter. (Use “Waste” Setting) This will save your filter from doing too much work.
Backwash or clean your swimming pool filter.
Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6, with an alkalinity of 80–120 ppm, and calcium hardness of 200–350 ppm.
Use Formula 6000 Algaecide to help prevent more algae growth on a 1–2 week basis. Also keep your chemicals in check. A 1–3 ppm level of free chlorine will help keep algae away.

Green, Yellow, or Pink Algae on Pool Walls

Using a swimming pool brush, brush down the side of the pool walls to get as much green algae off of the walls. This will help when you add chemicals into the swimming pool. If you have a concrete pool use a steel brush, if you have a vinyl pool use a nylon swimming pool brush. Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6 to ensure once again that your chemicals will behave properly when added.
Shock your pool. Add Vinyl Shock (Dichlor) as directed on the manufacturer dosage suggestion for use with algae.
Turn your pump and filter on to run for the full 24 hour day. It is important that while you are running your pump you continuously clean or backwash your filter.
Check in 12–24 hours to see if your pool has made a drastic change for the better. If it has not add a second batch of Vinyl Shock (Dichlor). Repeat until algae has been eliminated.
The algae will settle on the top or on the bottom of the pool. Vacuum the rest of the algae out of the pool. We recommend you use a vacuum that does not go direct to your filter. (Use “Waste” Setting) This will save your filter from doing too much work.
Backwash or clean your swimming pool filter.
Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6, with an alkalinity of 80–120 ppm, and calcium hardness of 200–350 ppm.
Use Formula 6000 Algaecide to help prevent more algae growth on a 1–2 week basis. Also keep your chemicals in check. A 1–3 ppm level of free chlorine will help keep algae away.

Black Algae

Brushing is very important with black algae. It is very important you get rid of the roots as well as the spores and get rid of them quickly. Using a steel brush for concrete pools or a nylon brush for vinyl pools, brush the plant as much as possible.
Vacuum the pool to waste. If you have to, use your filter backwash and clean your filter as much as possible. It is very important that you get as much of the algae out of the pool so they do not start forming again.
Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6 to ensure once again that your chemicals will behave properly when added.
Rub the black spots with a TriChlor tablet and dig right into the roots.
Add Vinyl Shock (Dichlor) as directed on the manufacturer dosage suggestion for use with algae.
Allow the pool pump and filter to run for full 24-hour days and backwash your filter as much as possible.
Again if you see any remaining black algae get it out of the pool as quickly as possible.
Backwash or clean your swimming pool filter.
Using test strips check your pH levels. It should be at 7.2–7.6, with an alkalinity of 80–120 ppm, and calcium hardness of 200–350 ppm.
Add Formula 6000 Algaecide, to help prevent more black algae regrowth on a 1–2 week basis. Also keep your chemicals in check. A 1–3 ppm level of free chlorine will help keep algae away.