How Do I Get Rid of Algae in My Pool and Prevent It from Coming Back?

J

James Carter

Member
Hello everyone, For the past few weeks, I've been fighting algae in my pool, but it keeps coming back. I've cleaned the floor and walls, shocked the pool a couple of times, and even ran the filter virtually constantly. After a day or two of clearing, the green begins to appear once more.

When I test, the pH is within range and the chlorine levels appear to be acceptable. Could I be missing something? Is there a circulation problem or perhaps a phosphate problem? Have you tried any strategies or tactics that have proven effective over time? I'm starting to lose patience and don't want to keep using chemicals in vain.

I appreciate any assistance in advance.
 
Man, I’ve been through this exact thing, and it’s beyond frustrating. You clear it up, think it’s fine, then bam, green again. For me, it ended up being a circulation issue. My return jets weren’t angled right, so some spots just weren’t getting enough movement, especially in the corners.

Also, I didn’t even think about phosphates at first, but once I tested and treated for those, things started improving. I still shock weekly, but now I use a phosphate remover too, and that combo’s been solid so far.

You’re not alone, and this stuff can make you feel like you're doing everything right and still losing. Hang in there.
 
James Carter said:
Hello everyone, For the past few weeks, I've been fighting algae in my pool, but it keeps coming back. I've cleaned the floor and walls, shocked the pool a couple of times, and even ran the filter virtually constantly. After a day or two of clearing, the green begins to appear once more.

When I test, the pH is within range and the chlorine levels appear to be acceptable. Could I be missing something? Is there a circulation problem or perhaps a phosphate problem? Have you tried any strategies or tactics that have proven effective over time? I'm starting to lose patience and don't want to keep using chemicals in vain.

I appreciate any assistance in advance.
Click to expand...
Sounds frustrating, I’ve been there. Even if your chlorine looks good, algae can still cling to dead spots with poor circulation. I’d brush daily and check your return jets make sure they’re angled to push water into the corners. Also, try a phosphate remover if you haven’t yet, it can help cut off algae’s food source.
 
Algae that keeps coming back usually means something’s still off, even if the test strips say you’re fine. I'd deep clean the filter (not just rinse) and maybe add an algaecide after your next shock. Phosphates could play a role too, but honestly circulation and brushing are what made the biggest difference for me long term.
 
I dealt with the same cycle last summer. What helped me was shocking at night, brushing like crazy for a few days straight, and running the pump 24/7 for a week. I also turned my return jets to point toward the steps and corners where algae loved to hide. After that, it finally stayed clear.
 
I had the same issue dragging on for weeks, and what finally got things under control wasn’t just the pool water; it was my pool cover. I wasn’t cleaning the underside regularly, and it turned out algae were clinging to it and re-seeding the pool every time I rolled it back.

Also, check any pool toys, steps, ladders, or even your brush, anything that stays damp. I started soaking mine in diluted bleach once a week just to be safe. Might sound like overkill, but after doing that plus tweaking circulation, I haven’t had a comeback.

Sometimes it’s not just what’s in the water, it’s what you’re putting back in without realising.
 
I’ve been there too, and it’s super frustrating when algae keeps bouncing back. What helped me was focusing on the often-overlooked spots. I started brushing all the corners, steps, and under any pool accessories daily. I also ran the pump longer than usual to make sure the water was circulating properly. On top of that, I added a phosphate remover to cut off the algae’s food source, and did a deep clean of my filter.

One thing I didn’t realize at first was that things like pool covers, floats, and brushes can harbor algae too. Giving them a quick soak in diluted bleach once a week made a noticeable difference. After combining all of that, my pool finally stayed clear. Consistency really is the key!
 
I’ve gone through the same cycle, and what worked for me was tackling every possible hiding spot. I made sure all corners, steps, and under ladders were brushed daily, and ran the pump longer to improve circulation. I also treated the water with a phosphate remover and did a deep filter clean. On top of that, I started soaking the pool cover, brushes, and floats in diluted bleach once a week. Once I combined all these steps consistently, the algae stopped coming back.
 
That repeating cycle is usually a sign that something is letting algae survive between cleanups, not that you’re failing to kill it in the moment.

One thing that finally broke the loop for me was paying attention to what happens after the water looks clear. I was shocking, brushing, filtering nonstop, but my chlorine demand would spike again within a day. Turned out there was still a steady food source coming in. Lawn runoff, dust, even fill water can keep adding nutrients, so algae never fully loses its footing. Chlorine wipes it out, but the conditions are still perfect for it to come right back.

The other big piece is filtration efficiency, not just run time. My filter pressure looked normal, but after a deep clean I realized it was loading up fast and not polishing the fine stuff well. Pressure would rise only 1 to 2 psi, which felt harmless, but that meant a lot was slipping through. Once I cleaned more aggressively and brushed right before filtering, the water finally started holding clarity instead of bouncing back to green.

Also worth watching trends instead of single test results. If pH drifts the same direction every day or free chlorine drops faster than expected overnight, something is still consuming it. When algae truly loses its foothold, chlorine demand stabilizes and you stop chasing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top