Should I brush pool before adding algaecide?

Author: Clare Gerhold  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

It is recommended to use a three-part algae treatment. 1) Brush and then perform a heavy shock on your pool. 2) Add an appropriate algaecide to the water while letting the pool equipment run continuously. And 3) vacuum your pool within 36-48 hours.

Should you brush your pool before or after algaecide?

wait till you can do it all at same time. Do wait 30 minutes between shock and algaecide but you will be brushing for that long.

What is the best way to add algaecide to a pool?

Get chlorine levels between 1-3ppm. Wait 2 hours before adding algaecide. Mix the algaecide in a bucket of water and pour around the pool. Do not swim for 24 hours.

Should I vacuum the pool before adding algaecide?

Vacuuming will not get rid of algae. You need to SHOCK the pool and actually kill the algae first. After that, you can begin brushing/vacuuming/getting your chemicals back in balance. I repeat, VACUUMING DOES NOT GET RID OF ALGAE! Let me know if you need any suggestions on shock.

Do I shock the pool first before adding algaecide?

The correct process is shock the pool wait 24 hours or for your chlorine levels to drop below 5 PPM then add the algaecide.

The TRUTH About Using ALGAECIDE In Your POOL

What order should I correct my pool chemicals in?

Learn More About Balancing Your Pool

For safe and accurate results, you should always test in the following order: Start by testing alkalinity and making adjustments as needed. Next, test and adjust pH levels as needed. Third, test and adjust calcium hardness as needed.

What time of day to add algaecide to pool?

In the morning, add Oxidizer to your pool water. In the evening, add your liquid algaecide; we recommend concentrated 40% Algaecide.

Should you run pool pump after adding algaecide?

You should also run your filter for at least 8 hours after adding an algaecide to help remove any dead algae from your water. It's important to remember that algae can come back quickly, so once you get rid of it, be sure to take steps to prevent it from coming back.

Should you brush or vacuum a pool first?

Absolutely! As outlined in the ultimate guide to pool cleaning, the three main steps to cleaning your pool are skimming, brushing, and vacuuming. Brushing first (after skimming) means that the deposits are lifted off the sides of the pool and have a chance to resettle on the bottom where they can be vacuumed up.

Does backwashing remove algae?

Use a vacuum or backwash the pool to remove the dead algae. Apply a mustard algaecide following the label directions. Allow the water to circulate for 24 hours. Use a pool vacuum or backwash the pool again to remove the remaining dead algae.

What happens if I put too much algaecide in my pool?

When algaecide treatments are applied incorrectly, one potential result is foaminess in the pool. Even high quality copper-based and silver-based algaecides will cause foamy pool water, if too much is applied.

What goes in pool first clarifier or algaecide?

When: Use a water clarifier after you've killed an algae bloom as it'll help to coagulate dead algae particles in your pool water. If you've got green in your pool, you'll need to attend to that issue with chlorine and an algaecide before anything else, and fast.

How to get rid of stubborn algae in a pool?

Get a stiff bristled brush and scrub at your pool's walls and floors every day, and vacuum your pool. For green water, apply a flocculent and shock it. Shock the pool vigorously to get rid of suspended algae. You should add enough shock that it turns your pool water a blue/grey colour.

Should you brush or vacuum pool algae?

Brushing is essential after vacuuming to dislodge algae and debris from crevices and pool walls that the vacuum can't reach. Use a pool brush attached to a telescopic pole to brush all pool surfaces. Start from the top at the waterline and work your way down with firm, overlapping sweeps.

In what order should I clean my pool?

  1. Test the Chemical Levels. ...
  2. Empty the Skimmer and Pump Baskets. ...
  3. Isolate Suction to One Skimmer, or as Few Points as Possible. ...
  4. Prime and Connect Your Vacuum Hose. ...
  5. Vacuum the Pool. ...
  6. Brush the Pool. ...
  7. Backwash the Filter and Empty the Skimmer and Pump Baskets. ...
  8. Balance Chemicals.

Will algaecide clear a green pool?

Steps to clean a green pool: Start with physical cleaning, including brushing and vacuuming the pool. Test water chemistry to balance pH and chlorine, clean the filter, shock the pool, and apply algaecide. Run the filter continuously and repeat steps until the water clears.

Should I vacuum my pool before adding algaecide?

It is recommended to use a three-part algae treatment. 1) Brush and then perform a heavy shock on your pool. 2) Add an appropriate algaecide to the water while letting the pool equipment run continuously. And 3) vacuum your pool within 36-48 hours.

Should you brush the pool before adding chemicals?

Brush after Adding Chemicals: Many powdered or granular pool chemicals don't dissolve right away when added to the pool water. Brushing helps dissolve and disperse the chemicals so that they aren't able to stain, scale, or etch the interior surface.

Do I use shock or algaecide first?

This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM. Only then should you introduce algaecide to get the best results.

What to do after putting algaecide in pool?

The next step can be done in either sequence, depending on the time of day. If it's daytime, add the proper amount of the appropriate algaecide for your algae type. Circulate the pool water. Follow with a chlorine shock treatment that evening and continue to run the filter overnight.

What order pool chemicals?

To chemically balance your swimming pool water, follow these eight steps:
  • Adjust Alkalinity. A pool with low alkalinity has high acidity. ...
  • Adjust pH Levels. ...
  • Balance Calcium Hardness. ...
  • Sanitize. ...
  • Measure Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Levels. ...
  • Measure Dissolved Solids. ...
  • Shock the Pool. ...
  • Test the Water.

Is it OK to add shock and algaecide at the same time?

Can I add algaecide and shock at the same time? No. Let the shock try to fight the algae first. Add algaecide about 24 hours after shock to finish the job and prevent future algae blooms.

Do you run the filter when adding algaecide?

Add a dose of algaecide, bring your chlorine level high by shocking, and run the filter continuously until the problem clears. The next day you should vacuum up the dead algae and backwash your filter. Algae thrives in hot weather and in pools with low or no chlorine.

Can algae grow in a pool with high chlorine?

Algae are microscopic plants that can multiply rapidly when conditions are favorable, even in the presence of high chlorine levels. While chlorine effectively kills algae, high levels can sometimes become ineffective due to factors like poor circulation, pH imbalance, and organic debris.

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