Ready to take a swim or soak in your swim spa?
But wait – what if the water has turned green? Suddenly, your plans are on hold. Swim spa water can turn green for a couple of reasons.
While you may assume algae is the culprit, other things can cause your swim spa water to appear green. Common causes include: unbalanced pH or high mineral content and metals – particularly oxidized copper – in the water.
Knowing the causes of green water and how to correct the problem can save you hours of hassle and get your swim spa time back on track!
Why is My Swim Spa Water Green?
1. Algae: The Slimy Invader
Algae in your swim spa water typically appears due to low sanitizer levels (low levels of chlorine or bromine), poor water filtration, inconsistent swim spa maintenance, organic matter that got into your swim spa – like leaves – or from a swimsuit or spa accessory that was in water that contained algae – like a lake, river or even someone else’s pool or hot tub.
Here are the signs of algae in your swim spa:
- Slimy Texture: The water may feel slick or slippery, and you might notice or feel slimy patches on the swim spa walls, seats or floor
- Cloudy Water: Along with the green tint, the water might appear cloudy or murky
- Musty Odor: Algae can cause a musty or unpleasant smell
If you suspect algae, it’s crucial to act quickly. Left untreated, algae will continue to grow and can damage your swim spa surfaces.
2. Improper pH Balance
If pH is off, your sanitizer won’t work effectively, and algae can get a headstart. A small amount of algae will grow. And grow. It won’t go away unless you take action!
The pH balance for swim spas: 7.2 – 7.6
If it’s not within these parameters, adjust accordingly. For extra help balancing your swim spa water, check out our Water Balancing Guide for Swim Spas.
3. Oxidized Copper: The Sneak
On the other hand, if your water is green and there’s no slimy feel to it, and there’s no foul smell, the cause may be oxidized copper.
How can copper get into your swim spa water? Good question! It can exist or accumulate in your swim spa due to:
- High copper content in source water: If your fill water contains a high copper content, it can oxidize and cause the water to turn green
- Copper component erosion: If your swim spa has copper pipes or heating elements, corrosion over time can release copper into the water
- Copper-based algaecides: While these products effectively prevent algae, they can increase copper levels in the water
4. Build-Up in the Plumbing
Your swim spa’s plumbing is made up of over 100 feet of pipe that leads into your swim spa, filling it with luxurious water and shooting out jet streams that help you relax and unwind.
Unfortunately, the pipes can build up with microorganisms, which eventually turn into biofilms. As biofilm builds up, it becomes more and more resistant to any sanitizer.
If your swim spa water is murky, green or cloudy – no matter what you do – it’s highly likely it’s time to purge it. Fortunately, purging your swim spa isn’t that difficult. Check out our article on purging aquí.
Purging your swim spa is even easier with RANA® Limpiador de tuberías y chorros para jacuzzi for Swim Spas. It’s an effective single treatment deep clean for your swim spa’s jets and pipes. Plus, it’s premeasured for simple application – no math, spills or staining.
Routine purging helps ensure water stays clean and clear and that your sanitizer continues to work well, so your swim spa is ready when you are.
How To Fix Green Swim Spa Water
Once you’ve determined what’s causing your swim spa water to be green, cloudy, slimy or smelly, you can correct it without trial and error.
How to Remove Algae from Your Swim Spa
If algae is the problem:
- Shock the water: Use a chlorine or non-chlorine shock treatment to kill the algae. Read the product instructions closely for the correct dosage. FROG Mantener® para piscinas con sistema de natación contracorriente in a one-dose packet is an easy, effective solution
- Brush and clean: Give your swim spa walls and floor a good scrub to remove every bit of algae clinging to the swim spa surfaces – including the cover, inside and out
- Filter maintenance: Algae may clog your swim spa filter. If your filter builds up with algae, it can’t do its job, and you get green water. Clean or replace the filter cartridge regularly, following the manufacturer’s directions to ensure it works properly
- Regular maintenance: To prevent future algae growth, maintain proper sanitizer levels, clean the filter regularly, keep your cover on your swim spa when it isn’t in use and follow a routine cleaning and purging schedule
How to Remove Oxidized Copper
Follow these steps to correct oxidized copper in your water:
- Metal sequestering agent: Add a metal sequestrant to the water. It binds the copper and stops it from oxidizing. Ask your local retailer for recommendations.
- Drain and refill your swim spa: If copper levels are extremely high, partially draining and refilling the swim spa with fresh water may be necessary. Be sure to balance your water even when draining and refilling your swim spa partially with new water. Use our FREE Water Balancing Guide for help!
- Check Source Water: Before you fill your swim spa with fresh water, test your source water for copper content. You can do this yourself with a water test kit or ask your dealer for help. If the copper reading is high, you’ll want to add a hose filter to filter out excessive metals.
- Maintenance Routine: Regularly test and balance Total Alkalinity, pH and Total Hardness to prevent metal problems. Avoid using copper-based algaecides if your source water already contains high levels of copper.
How to Prevent Green Swim Spa Water
Keeping algae out, maintaining ideal water balance levels and managing the copper content in your water is much easier than correcting the problem.
- Keep Your Swim Spa Covered When Not in Use: An uncovered swim spa means anything can get into the water. Plus, with an outdoor swim spa, the sun will not only help algae grow, but UV rays also burn off chlorine or bromine very quickly!
- Test your water regularly: Not adding enough sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) or not adding it often enough can lead to trouble. Frequently test your swim spa water to maintain proper water balance. Balanced Water means that free chlorine, Total Alkalinity, pH and Total Hardness are within ideal levels. Testing your water consistently will help prevent numerous problems and catch issues early
- Use high-quality chemicals: This includes sanitizers, algaecides and metal sequestrants, all of which help keep your water clean and clear. Invest in quality chemicals for a good swim spa water care routine. Your local retailer can help you with this too
- Clean routinely: Regularly give your swim spa surfaces a good cleaning – along with your filter – to prevent the buildup of algae and other contaminants. Oh, and remember to stay on schedule with swim spa drains, refills and purges. Want more information on when and how to purge your swim spa? Click here.
Exercise or Relaxation Time
Now that you know the difference between algae and oxidized copper, plus how to address each issue, you can keep your swim spa water crystal clear so it’s ready when you are!
Speaking of maintaining crystal clear water with consistent sanitizer levels, check out RANA® @facilidad®. It’s the first complete sanitizer for swim spas that uses up to 75% less chlorine*, kills bacteria with SmartChlor® y minerales desinfectantes FROG® and keeps your water Cleaner, Clearer, Softer®.
*Compared to the minimum ANSI recommended bromine or chlorine level of 2.0 ppm for a swim spa.
