Green Pool Clean Up in One Day

Basically a green pool clean-up is a process as I detail in all three videos. If you don't follow the process and just dump chlorine and algaecide in it probably won't work.

From my experience the initial chemical reading is not a factor - unless the pool is really low on Conditioner - below 30 ppm. It doesn't matter what  the initial pH or Alkalinity reading the first day - you are looking at a swamp with mosquito larvae growing in it - it is not a pool in any sense except for the equipment.

So the first step is to make sure the pump is working - this pool had the pump down for  6 months  - finally got a used pump installed.

Circulation is critical so the filter needs to be cleaned. A Cartridge filter like this one needs to be taken apart and cleaned - so does a DE filter. Sand filters are a pain as they can only be backwashed so the process will be longer with that filter type.

Then we bomb out the pool. I like 30 ppm of chlorine -Shock and Awe. Liquid Chlorine or Clorox bleach works best. You can use shock too.

To find out how much chlorine to add to get 30 ppm in your pool size go to this website and plug in your numbers.

http://poolcalculator.com/

Chances are all the chlorine you add will be gone in 24 hours as it works hard to destroy the algae - the organic material in the algae will then turn the pool a milky blue. You will need to raise the chlorine again to at least 10 ppm and run the pool - initially 24 hours or 48 hours the first day or two - then 12 hours until it clears.

If you can check the chlorine every few hours to make sure you have some residual. Check and add chlorine everyday until the water clears - It should clear within a week - larger pools a little longer.

On the second day you will need to clean or backwash the filter again. Sometimes three or four times depending on the filter size and how swampy the pool was. Pool size is a factor too. This pool is over 30,000 gallons so the results will be slower then in a 10,000 gallon pool.

Even if you don't use Tri-chlor tablets it is a good idea to use some during this process. They will help keep the residual chlorine up until the pool clears. Then you can stop using them - 4-6 tablets will add some CYA to the pool but not a huge amount.

If your CYA is over 150 you can still do this process - you will have to drain down 2-4 ft of water after to reduce the CYA levels. Note that it is illegal in California to drain a green pool so do this after the pool is blue again. There is a new CYA Reducer on the market and I will be doing a video on it soon. It will take your CYA levels from 150 ppm down to 40 ppm with just 8 oz of the product (In 20,000 gallons of water).

High CYA levels during this process will slow down the results but not dramatically.

An Algaecide is necessary in my opinion although some disagree. I find that it accelerates the process and will help keep the algae from returning if the pool zeros out during the process. I've tried cleaning green pools with just liquid chlorine and the process is much longer and harder. Think of an algaecide as a chlorine enhancer - it will make the process easier for you.

Swamp Treat by United Chemicals is the most powerful algaecide on the market. Just  1 lbs is enough for 20,000 gallons of water. It is a Sodium Bromide based formula with other ingredients that enhance the Sodium Bromide and make is Super effective. The bottle seems deceiving as it is only half full - but it is sold by weight and not volume - powerful stuff.

Here are some links to other products seen in this video:
Multi-Tork Filter Socket Tool - For Faster Filter Cleaning: http://youtu.be/aI-rPOSMv-k
Aqua Comb Spa Filter Cartridge Spray Cleaner Tool (Pet Aqua Comb): http://youtu.be/h3BPYHzIl_k
SweepEase® AquaDynamic 18" Pool Brush – Review: https://youtu.be/5Zh_dwyUIdE

To learn more about swamp treat:
http://unitedchemicalcorp.com/

To order Swamp Treat:
http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/#!green-pool-and-algae-problems/cc3e

If you have any questions during your process please post them and I will answer them for you. Green pools are a specialty of mine and I enjoy turning them around.

Here are my other two green pool videos: