You need to raise the level of your chlorine – shock the pool – and maintain that high level until all the algae is dead. This may take 3 to 4 days. RUN THE FILTER 24 HOURS A DAY. You must maintain that high level of chlorine.
Incorrect PH Levels Or Chlorine Levels
The pH and chlorine levels are another culprit for murky pools. Chlorine depends on the right pH levels to stay what is called “free.” If there's not enough free chlorine, then it forms something called chloramine, and this chloramine is what gives the pool a cloudy texture.
Dark pool water may be caused by high levels of manganese in the fill water. This can cause discoloration of the water to a dark blue, purple or black clear color.
To keep the water sparkling blue, you must maintain the balance of chemicals for your pool. Doing so will inhibit the growth of algae-causing bacteria. However, chlorine does not have anything to do with the color of the water. It is added to pools to keep the water clear, and it is not a dye.
But the culprit for the beautiful blue is the limestone! Limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and is white in color. As the river breaks down this rock into tiny crystals, these crystals will get mixed up into the water.
Always run the pump when shocking the pool and allow it to circulate for 24 hours. The water should then be a blue or cloudy blue color. Test the water 24 hours after shocking and start adjusting pH and alkalinity levels. The chlorine will still be elevated, but over a few days, it should stabilize.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.
Super Blue is a concentrated water clarifier. Customers love how Super Blue produces and maintains crystal clear pool water without affecting pH or alkaline balances. Super Blue works fast to clear cloudy water, reduces sanitizer usage and works effectively with chlorine, bromine, ozone and biguanide sanitizers.
Will baking soda clear a green pool? No. Baking soda will only raise your alkalinity and pH levels and this will not kill algae. Chlorine is what kills algae.
To eliminate any contaminants or chloramines in your cloudy pool water, add a high dose of chlorine by shocking your pool. If the cloudy water in your pool is due to a pool algae bloom, you'll have to double or triple shock depending on the type of algae you have.
You will need to wait 6 hours to let the baking soda thoroughly dissolve into the pool water. However, you can often speed up the process by turning on the pool's circulation system.
Getting the sparkle
An oxidiser is a product that works to remove and destroy swimmer wastes and organic contaminants in your water, keeping it crystal clear! We suggest BioGuard Lite® as an easy-to-use oxidiser that allows swimmers back in the water an hour after treatment.
If your pool is green and cloudy, it's likely an algae problem. Algae can persist in a pool even after shocking. A green pool – especially one that turned green overnight or after rain, can also be from a pool pump that isn't properly circulating water or an issue with your filtering system.
Can too much chlorine cause cloudy water? Yes, not only chlorine but all pool chemicals can cause cloudy pool water. Excessive levels of pool chemicals can cause your water to become cloudy. High pH, high alkalinity, high chlorine or other sanitisers, and high calcium hardness are all common culprits.
Generally speaking, the dosage amount of pool shock is 1 pound per 10,000 gallons, but always consult the shock package label for precise instructions. Depending on the severity of the problem you are addressing, you may need a double or triple dose to successfully fix the issue.
If your pool is cloudy after shocking, it could indicate your pool's pH and Total Alkalinity are out of balance. Some pool shocks, like Calcium Hypochlorite, also known as cal-hypo, have an elevated pH level.
The simple answer is yes, you can over shock a pool. This is when the chlorine level in the water becomes too high and can be harmful to swimmers. When you shock your pool, you are raising the chlorine level to 10 times its normal level. This is done to kill off any bacteria or algae that may be present in your pool.