When everyone is in the swimming pool splashing and having fun, you don’t notice that there is dirt or debris starting to build up, or that you haven’t balanced your pool chemicals in a while. Which causes your pool to turn a different color because algae is starting to grow around the pool. This happens when the chlorine levels are too low, and you’ve been holding off on pool maintenance. There are quick fixes to clear the green algae color up, which is known as shocking your pool.

A shock treatment to your pool consists of a super chlorinated chemical you dump into the pool which kills the bacteria and cleans your pool so it looks clear again. When you’re keeping up with your pool maintenance, you typically use one pound of granulated chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water. If your swimming pool is already green with algae, you are going to have to use a lot more chlorine to clear up all the algae from your swimming pool.

There are different colors that the algae may turn your swimming pool into, which is why pool maintenance is so important. The different colors are a murky blueish green, which is perceived as a less intense algae growth and can be treated pretty easily. You can use 2 lbs of chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water. The next level is the darker green, this has the more swamp like look to it. This is a more intense spread of algae, therefore you’ll need to use more of the chlorine, about 3 lbs for every 10,000 gallons. The last, most difficult level to overcome is the black algae. You’ll have to use the most chlorine on the black algae because this kind of bacteria is hard to fight off. You’ll want to use 4 lbs of chlorine for every 10,000 gallons.

Before you start your shocking process you have to ensure that the other chemicals are properly balanced, so make sure the pH balance is between 7.4-7.6, alkalinity between 100 ppm and 150 ppm, and make sure to keep your filter running. Shocking should take place at night and the shock chemicals should be distributed around the perimeter of the pool evenly. The following morning there should be a noticeable difference, if not then continue the process and repeat until all the algae is gone.

After the shocking process make sure to keep your filter running. Your swimming pool will turn into a cloudy color instead of green and the filter will help clear the cloudiness. Watch for the filter’s pressure to rise, and backwash/ clean the filter if it reaches 25%.

Finally your swimming pool should be back to its beautiful crystal clear self and you should be able to splash around in it once again! Don’t forget to keep up on the pool maintenance, it is a very important task to complete, especially if you want to keep your swimming pool clean.