Sam_Brooks
New member
My pool opened green this year. Should I shock it first or vacuum out the gunk before adding chemicals?
Opening a green pool, shock first or vacuum
- Thread starter Sam_Brooks
- Start date
Henry Graham
Member
Totally been there. What worked best for me was doing a quick manual vacuum first, just to get the heavy stuff out, leaves, sludge, all that junk sitting on the bottom. If you shock before that, you’ll just end up wasting chemicals since they’ll burn through trying to fight debris instead of cleaning the water.
Once most of the gunk is out and the water’s circulating, then hit it with the shock. I usually let the pump run overnight and brush the walls the next morning. It’s a bit more effort up front, but things clear up way faster that way.
Once most of the gunk is out and the water’s circulating, then hit it with the shock. I usually let the pump run overnight and brush the walls the next morning. It’s a bit more effort up front, but things clear up way faster that way.
Mark Davis
Member
If your pool opened green, the best approach is to vacuum out as much debris as you can first, especially if there’s a lot of leaves, sludge, or algae buildup on the bottom. Organic matter like that will eat up your chlorine fast, making your shock treatment less effective.
Once you’ve cleared the gunk, test the water so you know what you’re working with, then go ahead and shock it heavily if needed. You may need to use a flocculant or clarifier after shocking, depending on how cloudy it gets. Keep your filter running 24/7 through the cleanup process, and backwash or clean it often.
Starting with a clean base gives your chemicals the best chance to work, and helps clear things up faster.
Once you’ve cleared the gunk, test the water so you know what you’re working with, then go ahead and shock it heavily if needed. You may need to use a flocculant or clarifier after shocking, depending on how cloudy it gets. Keep your filter running 24/7 through the cleanup process, and backwash or clean it often.
Starting with a clean base gives your chemicals the best chance to work, and helps clear things up faster.
Grace Hall
Member
When my pool turned green, I briefly considered calling it my backyard swamp spa and charging admission. 
But yeah, I ended up vacuuming first — didn't want my shock chemicals fighting a war they couldn’t win. Anyone else name their green pool something dramatic before cleaning?
But yeah, I ended up vacuuming first — didn't want my shock chemicals fighting a war they couldn’t win. Anyone else name their green pool something dramatic before cleaning?Ava Wilson
Member
I’d vacuum first to get the worst of the gunk out. If you shock too early, the chemicals will just get used up fighting all that debris. Once it’s mostly clear, hit it with the shock and let the pump run overnight—it clears up way faster that way!
Abigail Scott
Member
I dose a handful of flocculant and run the pump 4 hours first lets fine particles clump on the floor. Then I vacuum, let it clear overnight, and shock in the morning. Cuts chemical use and speeds cleanup.
Lily Allen
Member
Had the same problem! Ended up calling my pool the ‘backyard swamp spa’ while I was waiting for the shock to kick in 
. I vacuumed first to get the big stuff out, then shocked it. Surprisingly, the water cleared up faster than I expected. Anyone else give their pool a dramatic nickname when it turns green?
. I vacuumed first to get the big stuff out, then shocked it. Surprisingly, the water cleared up faster than I expected. Anyone else give their pool a dramatic nickname when it turns green?