Green water? Cloudy water? Black or yellow spots on the walls? You’re not alone — algae is the #1 problem we troubleshoot at the counter. The good news: in most cases, you can fix it in 2–3 days with the right approach.

Identify the type first

  • Green algae: The most common. Cloudy or green water. Easy to treat.
  • Yellow / mustard algae: Sticks to walls and looks like sand. Harder. Brush vigorously.
  • Black algae: Tiny black dots that come back if not killed at the root. Treat repeatedly.

The basic treatment

  1. Brush the entire pool — walls, floor, steps.
  2. Balance pH to 7.2–7.4 (sometimes lower for mustard or black).
  3. Shock — hard. Use double or triple dose for severe algae.
  4. Add a quality algaecide (we carry ProTeam — works on all three types).
  5. Run filter 24/7 until clear; clean filter daily.
  6. Re-test, re-balance, repeat shock if needed.

Stuck? Bring a water sample to the store. Our free SpinTouch test will tell us exactly what’s off, and we’ll send you home with a step-by-step plan and the right products. No upsell — promise.