Green Pool Water?

Question

My children are asking if they can go swimming in our pool. The water is green. We have shocked and shocked the pool. Is it safe for them to swim in?

Answer 1

Green water is from algea. Technically speaking they should be fine but it's pretty gross. You need "algeaside" (sp?) to clear that up.

Answer 2

Everyone here is right that the green in your pool is algae. this comes from a pool that is not properly chlorinated. Many things can cause this but first, let's clear up the algae. You will need to "shock" the pool. This means you are going to superchlorinate it. It takes about one pound of calcium hypochlorite per 10000 gallons of water to kill off the algae. This stuff can be purchased in one pound bags or in 25 pound buckets. Then brush the walls of the pool. The next day you will need to vacuum the pool to remove the particulants at the bottom. You can vacuum to waste if the algae buildup is real bad but for a light green the filter will be OK. Backwash the filter after vacuuming.

Now that the pool is clear keep it that way by getting a good test kit and using it regularly. Have your pool chemical supplier test your water for total alk. calcium hardness etc. but you need to test the pH REGULARLY This is the key to keeping a healthy pool. Chlorine will fluctuate but the pH should remain stable. If it doesn't you'll have problems.

Answer 3

It might be safe but they'll probably smell like algae. If you are not a "rocket scientist" at keeping your pool maintained find a good local place that will test your water free (most should) and then 1) give you a print out 2) sell you the chemicals you need and 3) mark which ones go in first and at what intervals. FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. I was paranoid when I first owned a pool that all they wanted to do was sell me chemicals. Really, if they do it right, that's true BUT they sell you a heck of a lot LESS if you LISTEN TO THEM. AND TEST THE WATER THERE EVERY WEEKEND. They proved to be very cool people and my water was crystal clear all year. Hope that helps.
And 1) my son is grown up so I am jealous of watching little ones splash in my backyard pool 2) I don't miss the water bill, chemicals, maintenance or round hole in my lawn...just being honest! Have a great "indian summer".

Answer 4

The green water will not hurt the kids, but you should not swim in a pool that's been shocked for at least 4 hours with the pump running continuously. I would take a sample of your water the the nearest Leslies pool. The do free water testing and will provide you with ways to correct your problems.

Answer 5

I am assuming that the water has a definite green color but has no visible growth. That is the problem I have also and we adults and young kids 3&5 use it daily with no problem. severity of my problem is that I can just barely see the bottom at 9 feet.
Lestlies pool says that my chemicals are fine when I check with them about once a week.
Between checks I add a lb "sometimes 2" of their clorine granules daily and shock weekly with 3 lb power powder pro and add algicide.
We have a 26,000 gallon inground pool and I believe the problem is related to it's age of over 20 years. It was a black bottom but now is mostly white and the sides are very rough. Having to wire brush daily just to keep it swimable. If you find a better answer please let me know, Leslies hasn't..
Best O'luck
SG

Answer 6

I thought I was the only one with that Problem...The fire station filled my pool with Brook water and it's the hardest type of water to keep clean..I mean it was really nasty from the start.
I vacuum my pool every other day and used chlorine and shock...it worked great until I got lazy and stopped using the chemicals and vacuuming.

I think you really should vacuum your pool's floor and then use a test strip to find out what your pool really needs. I know that you need to adjust your PH before you do anything else to it.

Answer 7

I've had the same problem. If you have a SAMS or WALMART, you can get the 80lb bucket of chlorine for 119.00, now you may think that's alot, but four cups of that, and the next morning your pool will be clear! If worked for us. Be sure to clean the filter daily as well. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I agree, hit the pool store and stock up on algicide. Once you get it dealt with, you have to vacuum the pool for a while to get it clear looking. The hotter the water in the pool, the sooner it turns green. It used to drive me crazy! Good luck!

Answer 9

The best thing you can do is when you are cutting the grass cut it so the grass flys away from it and cover the pool if you can so the clipping don't fly into it or around it .Make sure that no one tracks it in that is how it starts me myself i would drain it clean it refill it and get a plastic tub to wash there feet off before they get in.With some algae killer in it so the hole body does not take all that in. PS .just my though

Answer 10

It should not be green, you may have algae growing in it. shock it again and use a algicide. wait a day and, if it does not clear up, take a sample to your local pool place for them to test it.