Emergency GREEN POOL WATER Plan [Step-By-Step Guide] | Swim University

Banish green pool water once and for all with our step-by-step action plan for getting rid of pool algae fast!
💦 Get 10% off our pool maintenance video course and ebook by using the promo code VIDEO: www.swimuniversity.com/pool-c...
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction To Fixing Green Pool Water
03:06 - Day One: Assess The Algae Color
04:17 - Day One: Shock And Clarifier
09:40 - Day One: Vacuum To Waste
11:52 - Day One: Brush Your Pool
12:56 - Day One: Test Your Water
14:31 - Day One: Shock Your Water And Run Filter
18:31 - Day Two: Assess The Algae Color Again
20:09 - Day Two: Add Clarifier
21:55 - Day Two And Beyond Steps
25:26 - Pool Care Video Course
🏊‍♂️ Our Favorite Pool Maintenance Gear: www.swimuniversity.com/pool-m...
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Swim University®️ has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University®️.
😎 Visit our website for more in-depth information on swimming pool maintenance: www.swimuniversity.com/

[@jamestlynn]

25k gal Pool was dark green. Took 36 yes 36 pounds of cal hypo shock over 3-4 days to clear up. The lesson was: You don’t save money by neglecting your pool because “we don’t use it” whatever $ you didn’t spend on maintenance chemicals you will spend 2-3x when it comes time to clearing it back up.

[@catherinepandhiani5753]

Matt is so informative and animated in that he keeps your attention to detail and makes it easier to learn the very confusing way to keep your pool clean. This course is what I have been looking for.

[@AereForst]

Just cleared my pool following Leslie’s treatment plan which is pretty much what you are saying. From dark green to 100% clear in two days from brushing, running pump constantly, algicide and shock alone. I then backwashed the filter. Still several steps to go but the pool actually looks totally normal.

[@jochetaman23]

This is my favorite video from Swim University Every time I need to refresh the instructions to clean my pool, I come over to this video, so perfect on everything to do and How to. Love the explanation and the Why’s. Amazing content and effort. Thank you !

[@cindyharris6248]

I love your videos and the step by step detailed instructions you provide to everyone. I can't express enough how much I appreciate Swim University for all you do to help us ALL who need help. Pools are not cheap and having Swim University helps tremendously with not having the added expense of purchasing unnecessary chemicals that are not needed as well as the freedom from the frustration trying to clear our pools and quickly. Thank you so much!!!!

[@mariabrown6444]

This is very useful, a lot of work and discipline but it totally worth it. We went from green to clear following your plan. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@jzburke28]

This video helped us so much! I had a green to crystal clear pool in about 3 days. Just follow the steps and it will work!!

[@1frankvilla]

Thank you. I had a green pool til I came across this video. It took about 3 days but it cleared up.

[@bababooey5314]

You can add me to the millions of people who have benefitted from this video! You saved my summer.....Thank you... I opened the pool this year and had an enormous amount of issues. Pump blew up upon starting so I needed a new one. The water had nitrates that were off the chart so I dumped a lot of water. The color was a mean dark (almost black) green. I learned a great amount of useful information from this. Especially the sanitizing at night and using warm water in a bucket. Your method cleared my pool in 2 days......since I have a sand filter it took a long time but you were right; patience.

[@marysteeves1882]

My pool is super dark green / black 😫

[@armandomeza3501]

wait not even 500k people have watches this lol

[@divemor]

Well done. This is the best of the pool care videos I have watched. I'm at the finally turned blue stage and trying to get clear water again. Thanks for the help.

[@chelseavantlin4764]

Thanks!! Worked 100% first time.. I'm a beginner in pool management & it's definitely been easier since I found your videos so thanks for information ☺️

[@christinegleason3392]

We came back on Friday from a week-long vacation to find our pool green (teal to very green). I thought I’d added enough chlorine to the chlorinator before we left to prevent this problem but apparently hadn’t. I watched all Matt’s videos pertaining to killing algae and followed each direction. Fortunately, now on Sunday - day 2 - I’m happy to report my pool is cloudy blue. I’m running my sand filter 24/7 and have added some clarifier. The other chemicals are balanced per his recommendations and I’m hopeful, in another day or so, my pool will be back to crystal-clear water. Thanks, Swim University!!

[@anacrespin8222]

omg!! finally I understand, my pool is green so I opt to drain it, so now i will have to clean it but this class will help me in the future. thank you so much!!

[@Aquieu07]

I've been cleaning my pool for seven years and only now learned about the night shock and safety of cloudy blue. Thanks!

[@MariaMartinez-fg4nr]

Thank you very much. My pool was dark green. Tried algicide, did not work. Tried skill it a whole gallon and did not work. I even thought of emptying the pool but then decided not to do this. Saw your video and tried it and it is working. Thank you!!!!

[@troybowman221]

AWESOME VIDEO my friend. Thank you for demystifying the process. Your the best

[@juan3212]

Thank you the 2 pounds of shock work much appreciated pool looking better withing 4 hrs

[@polo2268]

Thanks for the info. Great video.

[@jennifermartinez8036]

Thank you so much, very simple and understandable vid

[@tiffanygoldberg9463]

Opening my pool, & it’s neon green! I’ll be using the info from the video. Thanks!

[@adrianunwin8305]

Going to do this for first time this week, really hope I can get my pool looking clean

[@darylwiley8853]

We have a 27 ft above ground pool and it had turned very green. I followed your directions as instructed. Added 6 bags of shock the first night and pool turned teal or lighter the next day. I added 6 more bags the second night and achieved the cloudy blue. Just need to add clarifier and I can close pool. Thanks you for this video.

[@carrilloinc]

You know what would be great...if you guys could add a picture of cloudy blue in the video. We see teal, green, and black, but we don't have a reference of cloudy blue.

[@davidj4529]

Cloudy blue is just as it sounds. You dont see any green, but clarity is poor. Cant see 2nd or bottom step on stair. Hope this helps.

[@nancykilian8631]

Wow, blown away! Such a great illustration and your instruction is very helpful. That really helped us with our indoor pool. Thank u very much!

[@margem4754]

Thank you for your clear (no pun intended) instructions. No more green pool.

[@JM-rs2hc]

Great presentation!!!! Learned a lot

[@ferdinanddorville1256]

Worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@damonbeddingfield2958]

Thx for the video man, helped me a lot.

[@scottyblanchette9409]

followed the instructions, 48 hrs later blue pool, just need to vacuum now, thanks a bunch!!

[@josephinehills6802]

Thank you .This advice worked for me

[@janedoe8452]

This worked sooo well, thank you!!!!

[@jeremyellismusic]

I love how my pool store told me to purchase $200 of algicide and various other products and all it took was a few bags of shock and some PH down. Good video, thanks!

[@FarmerC.J.]

We had a huge storm here yesterday...my pool went from crystal clear to green in a matter of moments

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

Well done and very informative. A big help.

[@mo9749]

Thank you so much!! This was very helpful

[@annmarie3520]

It worked!!! Thanks!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jamestlynn]

completely agree that you HAVE to use Cal hypo. 25k gallon pool here. Neglected completely from May until AugustI. Dark green algae. I couldn’t find any Cal hypo and put 12 pounds of regular dichloro shock and it did literally nothing. It wasn’t until 2 weeks later I finally found cal hypo at Walmart. Day one I did 12 pounds at 10pm, next day the pool was cloudy teal. So day 2 I put an additional 10 pounds of cal hypo and that finally did the trick. Cloudy blue! Skipped the clarifier, I just let the pump do it’s thing and it cleared after a few days.

[@scott-emilydunford3217]

Thanks for the help!

[@spitters1251]

You are the best. Thank you!!! 🙏🏾 😊

[@mits_6131]

Great video. Your video is very informative. i'm having a 10,000 gallon pool installed as I write.

[@SharonF10781]

Thank you Very Much! So helpful!

[@ohsherrie5372]

Thank you so much for you help. You stopped me from pulling my beautiful hair out!

[@Stratusfaction]

Great video, thanks

[@irismulcahy5518]

Thank you we bleached everything thing we used when we had heavy algae, got new brush and started cleaning. We are determined to get it the best it can be. Whew getting it back in shape is a lot of work.

[@lindabradford9591]

Yes it is. I'm trying to get my sons pool from light green to clear. Mine at my house is clear.

[@sylviebrindamour6980]

This was very informative. Just learned that I was doing the steps wrong.

[@michaelhasychak6288]

you rock...was a my wits end...now clean

[@Dr.Pepperlady]

Super educational thank you so much ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ryansheehan3732]

This really works, if it doesn’t then you have other pool issues. Check pump, change the sand, clear return lines, skimmer lines.

[@daveydid]

thx Matt. .I owe you one mano!

[@joyjackson662]

Thank you for your expertise. I'm a new pool owner, and your university is very helpful.

[@SwimUniversity]

Happy to help!

[@GoldsberryGirl]

thanks !!!

[@Blues16073]

OMG THANK YOU THANK YOU.

[@angelagoodson4590]

It's working! It's working! 3,300 gallons (15'x42" intex) I'm new to pool care and I was between a teal and a green. Thanks!

[@randifrey2753]

Did you use two bags

[@angelagoodson4590]

@@randifrey2753 1 bag the 1st night calculating that 2/3 of the 1lb. bag was a double shock. It didn't quite do it by next morning but I think I was in denial about my level of green and so I used a 2nd bag the next night for a 2nd double shock and it really does turn cloudy blue/gray with no hint of green by morning. I changed my filter and have been rinsing and rerinsing my filter cartridge since to help it keep up. My pool was AMAZING between the chlorine tabs and baking soda for half the summer and then I think a friend's spray sunblock and some rain just knocked things all out of balance!

[@Dnyce07]

Thank you for simplifying this in plain English, 👏🏿👏🏿 I followed all of your directions and it killed the algae and cleared up,great video Sir!

[@lorrainewojchik1379]

I learned so much from this presentation. Thank you.

[@shirellediana]

You sure do break it down, I am buying the book or video

[@SwimUniversity]

We hope this video helps you clear up your green algae-filled pool! For more help with pool cleaning and pool maintenance, check out our Pool Care Course at www.SwimUniversity.com/pool (Use The Promo Code VIDEO for 10% Off!)

[@aileengurbuz6456]

Thank you very much! Our pool was green at our new home. With your advice, we got cloudy blue water. Almost there to a clean pool.😁

[@corazonpartido4946]

How much clarifier did you put in your Pool? And what size your Pool is?

[@aileengurbuz6456]

@@corazonpartido4946 Honestly, I didn't use a separate clarifying solution. I added Clorox Shock treatments, Arm & Hammer baking soda pool tablets, then scrubbed the pool with a brush. I also used a few gallons of regular normal unscented chlorine bleach. I tested the water then added calcium as needed. Our pool is 16800 gallons of water.

[@Dr.Pepperlady]

The problem I have is there are so many places that I don’t trust, they know we are dumb so they sell us stuff we don’t need

[@nilkaginessoles3003]

Your awesome!

[@PUBLICIDADECOS]

¡!!WOWWW!!! NO WONDER ITS CALL UNIVERSITY…ITS THE BEST AND BEST EXPLAINED VIDEO I EVER SEEN TNKS!!!

[@baharali3502]

Excellent

[@angeli0986]

Thanks thanks thanks 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@lencarter1460]

Excellent video/tutorial. Thank you!

[@davidprice9224]

i like to add shock and liquid chlorine as a combo i have a 18k pool... diver deep so after the two feet of rain we had during hurricane eta i added 3 jugs and 6 shocks . ran pump without filter because it dissolves faster.

[@gladstonfranklyn5518]

Thanks much sir

[@christinebubb6658]

Awesome video and exactly what I needed, thank you!!

[@chrislicciardi729]

Excellent info as always! Can I put my solar cover on at night after shocking? I'm trying to retain as much heat as possible and one uncovered night will drop me 5 degrees. The cover is cheap so I'm not too concerned about damaging it. Thanks!

[@gvndual84]

Your videos are awesome. Fun and informative. (Though I believe you meant “Assess” the color, not access. I access it by lifting off the cover, then I assess it by looking at it and deciding.)

[@Izya001]

Thanks!!!!!!!

[@wudgee]

Assess not access but wonderful video, thanks.

[@raphaelrivera6063]

I actually learned something. Will buy the videos in the future.

[@SwimUniversity]

👍

[@silvercollector434]

Ok I’m about to start day 2 in a couple of hrs , I hope it works because it still looks the same color as yesterday.....fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[@corazonpartido4946]

It’s work?

[@vanessaacosta7822]

I have the same issue right now. I am on day 2 and it still looks the same. Did it go away? And how long did it take ?

[@annagarcia7644]

I took my pool water to pool and spa and they just told me to add ph decreaser and 5 bags of shock. I did that last night and my pool still looks green. Idk what else to do

[@RustyBallz]

Been watching your videos for a couple years now. I have a major algae problem and I'm using this guide to help with the problem. I'll keep you up to date on the progress. Thanks a bunch for all the help and information you have provided over the years. 😊

[@user-bj1ez7wr7n]

Any luck?

[@RustyBallz]

Worked like a charm for killing all the algae. I had some issues clearing the pool though. The clarifier available in my city are terrible though. I ordered some new stuff off Amazon. Hopefully it'll help. I really don't want to use flocculant

[@Siggy4844]

Assess, the word is assess (to evaluate or determine something) as in assessment. Access means to approach or enter as in accessibility. Great information though, very helpful.

[@jonslife]

Thank you the shock killed all the algie.

[@deplorable2767]

What advice would you give for above ground pool with green water? Would vacuum-ing damage it?

[@lisadyer5151]

Thank you so much for this clear, detailed description of how to get rid of algae. Before watching this video, I bought a bottle of Silver Algaedyn on the recommendation of an inground pool store owner. My pool is above ground. Should I use this in my pool? She said it has iodine in it. Will it turn my brand new pool liner colors?

[@nicolekramer9721]

If you are running the filter over night after doing shock treatment to remove "green" color. Would you recommend leaving cover on or off?

[@aimbot8912]

Any info on Cooper and silver ionizer are they any good

[@petercraw8188]

Di you have any info about algae in non- chlorine , bacquacil pool?

[@pattijesinoski1958]

Does this work for a inground vinyl also? Do I use less chlorine to not destroy liner?

[@thelooch7002]

Hey! Been dealing with a mild algae problem and been following your emergency plan video. Doubled shocked my pool last night and woke up to super high total chlorine levels, low alkalinity, and high pH. Is this something that'll wear off over the course of a hot sunny day? Or should I be dumping backing soda in to balance it out? Was planning on using clarifier but the steps say to balance things first.

[@lequadricolore]

Hey like your video. Where can I get graphical elements like yours in your video. Is there a place to get such thing for any niche ?

[@randygarza186]

So do you run a sand filter on recirculate or filter setting?

[@Pennsylvaniastrong]

Hi I had a lime green pool and used 4 bags of shock. Overnight, it turned to the teal green, I checked the ph and alkalinity and it was low, so I added alkalinity increaser. It's good now, but it's still teal, how long do I wait after alkalinity increaser until I could add more shock to clear it? Would this work? Ty so much.

[@riosmariel]

Can these solutions be used on a pool treated with Baquacil?

[@barrrylincoln]

The Pool Store always recommends 12 gallons of liquid chlorine for our 20,000 gallon pool, sometimes we have to get more.. Is 6 bags of shock as good? Not opening in 2020, know it's gonna be ugly next year. Should I open it just for nobody to swim in it?

[@kayliebarker9096]

Shock then do all the scrubbing and vacuuming? Or the other way?

[@buddycromer7393]

My first pool. Everything was on day one. But I was not sure the order. I am thinking Test water, Add what's needed, brush, vacuum, Shock, Clarifier

[@ruthgarza5725]

Can I use this same system for a hot tub adjusting the amounts?

[@shelenamullins]

Does this information apply the same to both standard chlorine pools and salt generator pools?

[@judythornburg2240]

Great video,thank you for your information.I am trying to clear my green pool right now..I didn’t do such a good job with the vacuum.I have added the ph increased and need to add borax for alkalinity..Do I run the pump on recirculate TIL the levels come up ,before adding shock?

[@judythornburg2240]

.ph increase.I used 4 lbs of Baking soda the ph was low

[@luckylarz4269]

So let's say I decided to try to get the teal green/less dark green out of my pool before watching your video... And the whole thing looks like you know swamp water.. lol. Not terrible you can still see the 9-ft deep end kind of 😆🥴 But the whole bottom of the pool vinyl inground had green algae on it so I decided to vacuum it right into the filter and backwashed it and then continued to vacuum it back washed it again before I ran it the next 24 hours just to get the algae out of it. The water table in the pool was perfect if I would have vacuumed to waste it would have been so low and then I would have had to add water. Long story short we have a 150 foot well water and it's like 43 degrees and the pools already cold enough and barely able to swim in it so I try not to add water if I don't have to you know because it's freezing 😆 I just changed the sand new seals gaskets everything everywhere I could in a hayward pro series s224s. Does that mean I just ruined the sand and/or cause more problems for myself cuz it's been a few days now and no matter how much bleach or I'll decide I put in or I have put in doesn't seem to be clearing up. My pH is 7.5 and my alkalinity is 100. If you see this or if you can help me I appreciate it!! Thank you in advance for all your awesome videos and all the time you put in to help people like me It's really appreciated keep up the awesome work man!

[@marcihill4662]

How long do I need to wait after adding chemicals to get my PH and alkalinity balanced before I shock it? Also, if I need to increase alkalinity and ph can I add the baking soda and PH increaser at the same time or one chemical at a time? It’s going to rain tonight and in the morning so Ik I’m going to be out of balance. Right now my pool is teal green.

[@rtrbrown]

My sand filter doesn't have a vacuum to waste, only backwash, rinse, filtration, and winterize. So what do I do since I don't have a waste??

[@scampe78]

How long after I use copper 7 until I can use pool rx? Or do I need to get metal remover

[@webneko9842]

I have a question. My pool water tested really high cyanuric acid. Which I learned comes from stabilized chlorine, or shock. Would I do better with liquid chlorine in this case to treat algae?

[@5layerinmybelly]

I put 12 bags of shock in my pool in 2 weeks its really grey now the leafs on the bottom turned white lol but my total cholrnie an free cholrnie are good the ph is right there at being good acid an aklinty or what ever are good . now I just need to get the freaking cloudyness out an ill be crystal clear

[@asyaangeles8294]

What are the products you use ? My pool is like medium green and I tried a bunch of stuff and it’s still green