Got algae? We can help. Every pool owner has seen algae at some point.  Our expert tips will help you identify, get rid of, and prevent algae.

Did you know that algae is “everywhere?” It’s in the air, the water and any organic debris from leaves to twigs to soil. Algae spores can easily float in your pool without notice.

That’s why maintaining proper water balance is essential. When your water is balanced, your sanitizer will kill algae spores before algae becomes unmanageable and you have a green pool.

If you know why algae appears in your pool, you prevent it. The reasons are many:

1. Pool water that’s out of balance

2. Low or inconsistent chlorine levels

3. Poor filtration

• Low flow
• Dead spots
• Dirty pool filters

4. Poor water circulation

5. Not brushing pool walls and floors

6. Contaminated swimsuits or toys

7. Street Clothes

Anyone who enters the pool with street clothes

8. Pets in the pool

Sad, we know

9. Organic debris in your pool

Leaves, twigs, grass, plants, etc.

10. Fertilizer

Fertilizer contains nitrogen and can be used too near to your pool for plants, grass or trees

11. Wind and Rain

Did you notice the one thing you have very little control over?

Yes, wind and rain. There you have it, algae can happen to anyone! The key is to act fast when you notice any signs of algae. If not, it just keeps growing. And growing.

Here’s How to Get Rid of Algae in your Pool

1. Run the pool pump 24 hours a day

While fighting algae it’s important to run your pool pump 24 hours a day because it helps circulate the water, distribute the chemicals evenly throughout the pool, and remove dead algae and debris.

Algae can quickly multiply in stagnant water, so running the pump continuously prevents further algae growth and spread – that puts you on the offense.

2. Add an algaecide

An algaecide is a biocide used to kill algae and prevent future algae growth. The water care experts at FROG^® recommend using FROG BAM^® to prevent algae in your pool for 90 days, guaranteed.

FROG BAM is designed to be dispensed through the Pool FROG^® cycler, but it’s also compatible with other water care systems; simply pour your treatment dose directly into your pool water!

It’s easy, effective, and powerful.

One bottle of FROG BAM treats a 15,000 gallon pool; use additional bottles for larger pools. Use two bottles for pools up to 30,000 gallons and four bottles will remedy a pool up to 45,000 gallons.

3. After 24 hours, use a chlorine shock to raise the free chlorine level to at least 3-5 ppm

It’s important to shock your pool at least 24 hours after using an algaecide. Don’t add shock and add algaecide at the same time. When the two mix, they both become ineffective.

Algae biocides will reduce your chlorine level drastically, so make sure your chlorine shock gets your pool’s chlorine level to at least 3.0 ppm.

4. Maintain a tighter pH range, keep the water’s pH between 7.2 and 7.6

Algae presence in your pool water means fluctuations in pH so be sure to monitor your pH with frequent testing!

5. Brush and vacuum the algae off surfaces at least twice a day

This step is vital to fight algae in you pool. Simply adding chemicals to kill algae is not enough. Algae tends to cling to pool surfaces, forming a protective layer that shields itself from the chemicals. When you brush the algae off pool surfaces, you break up this protective barrier – exposing the algae to the chemicals, which makes them more effective.

Vacuum to remove the dead algae and other debris from the pool; that helps keep the pool clean and clear.

6. Clean or backwash the pool filter to get rid of dead bacteria each time you brush or vacuum

When you brush and vacuum your pool, dead bacteria and other debris can quickly plug your pool filter. A clogged filter can reduce the flow of water in the pool’s filtration system, leading to a decrease in the pool chemicals effectiveness. That, in turn, can cause more bacteria and algae growth.

When you clean and backwash the filter regularly, you remove the buildup of dead bacteria and other debris. This ensures that the filtration system is working properly and helps prevent future problems with bacteria and algae.

7. Continue this process until water clarity returns

Follow steps one to six until clarity returns! It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to clear up algae in your pool.

Typically, it takes a few days to see results and can take up to several weeks for the pool to be completely clear.

The time it takes to clear algae from your pool can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the algae growth, the size of the pool, and the effectiveness of the treatments used.

Prevent Algae

Now that you have successfully restored clean and clear pool water, you’ll want to prevent algae from returning.

Preventing algae growth is not only more cost-effective but also saves you the hassle of treating a full-blown algae problem.

How to Prevent Green Pool Water

That’s the best way to prevent algae: establish a regular maintenance routine and stick to it. It doesn’t take much time, and consistency will pay off:

1. Maintain the proper pH range of 7.2 – 7.8 at all times

Regularly test you pool’s pH and adjust as needed. Keep the pH within the recommended range with pH adjustment products; your local retailer can help. When pH is within the ideal range, the water’s environment discourages algae growth.

2. Maintain the proper chlorine level at all times

Traditional chlorine pools must maintain chlorine levels in the recommended range of 1-3 ppm. With FROG products chlorine levels are 0.5 – 1.0 ppm.

When you use FROG products, you kill chlorine two ways, with a low level of chlorine and FROG Minerals. The minerals kill bacteria, condition the water for softness and help keep pH balanced. They work together with chlorine to kill bacteria.

A low level of chlorine plus minerals disinfect your pool water and prevent algae.  FROG products have a “set it and forget it” feature and that dispense chlorine slowly.

If you don’t use FROG products, you’ll need to use a higher level of chlorine and adjust the chlorine level according to the manufacturer’s directions.

3. Clean or backwash your filter regularly

Your pool filter is an essential tool to help prevent algae. It removes debris, dirt, and microscopic organisms from the water.

It’s got a big job, so cleaning or backwashing the filter regularly ensures optimal filtration efficiency, which also helps stop algae growth.

4. Keep organic matter out of the pool

When you see leaves, grass, twigs, or bugs, get them out of the pool quickly. They can provide a good source for algae and contribute to its growth. Keep organic debris out of the pool by skimming the pool’s surface frequently and using a pool cover when not in use.

Keep trees and plants trimmed to minimize falling leaves and branches. Don’t fertilize near the pool.  Fertilizer acts like algae food, and that can make a small algae bloom grow into an algae party in your pool.

5. Always shock after a heavy rain or larger than normal pool use

Heavy rain or a higher number of swimmers can disrupt your pool water balance and create favorable algae growth conditions.

After such events, it’s vital to shock the pool by adding a higher dose of chlorine or a non-chlorine shock treatment. This helps oxidize contaminants and restore the water’s clarity and sanitation.

6. Use an algae preventive

Use a proven algae preventive product like FROG BAM – it has a 90-day algae prevention guarantee. FROG BAM, and other algaecides, inhibit algae growth by continuously releasing small amounts of an algaecide into the water. Follow your algaecide packaging instructions for proper usage and maintenance.

Simple maintenance like keeping water balanced, cleaning the filter, skimming the water, shocking when needed, and using an algaecide will help you create an environment that discourages algae growth.

Implement this strategy and say goodbye to the hassle of dealing with a green pool, you’ll have more time to fully enjoy your backyard’s escape all summer long.

Need more help? Check out the FREE FROG Water Care App. Download it at the App store or Google. It helps you troubleshoot, has videos and offers all kinds of help 24/7.