Algae in swimming pools - yellow and green?

Question

What is the difference in yellow and green algae I think we might have yellow - how do you treat that??? We have been fighting this since we got home from vacation 1 month ago - we have a 27' round above ground. All readings are good according to the pool store. We have shocked - used algecide everything. When we vac the pool on waste it is very dark yellowish green water coming off the bottom. We will treat with algicide, vac, shock, over and over again and our pool is still green. We cannot drain it - not an option since we have to have H2o hauled in and it is expensive. Any other ideas???? Help

Answer 1

Hi there. We have an inground pool that we actually just gave up on trying to treat this year. You need to take a sample somewhere and see what they suggest you need to do before you waste anymore money. We did that and come to find out we had mustard algae which is the hardest to treat. We were trying everything you are. A big word of advice though...anything that you put into your pool like a vaccuum and nets...floats...they all have to be treated too. When you treat the pool you put them in there too. Otherwise when you are trying to treat your pool but put these untreated items in it, it just puts the germs back in the pool again and you will never get it treated...you can also use some baking soda...read the back of a baking soda box

Answer 2

since you used everything try more chlorine try using the liquid chlorine, make sure you shock it so the sun can activate it also make sure there is nothing in the water like toys, dead animal etc.

Answer 3

There are three types of algae commonly found in swimming pools. Green, mustard, and black. Green in the easiest to treat and black is the most difficult. You need a good  test kit so you can keep an eye on your chlorine level. First, vacuum to waste- make sure you hit the bottom and sides. Next, get your pH down to 7.2 with pH decreaser or muriatic acid. Second, shock the pool like crazy- the cheapest method is to use regular unscented 6% bleach. I cant tell you exactly how much acid or bleach to put in because you did not include your chemistry numbers or your gallonage. You need to get your chlorine level up to 60% of your CYA (stabalizer) level. When you get up to this level brush your entire pool- floor and walls. You then need to constantly monitor your chlorine level to maintain the 60% or your CYA. You should test it at least 3x  a day-morning, noon, and sundown. Add bleach as necessary to maintain the level. Once the level stays the same (or within 1-2ppm) overnight all the mustard algae will have been killed. You then need to vacuum to waste again to remove all the dead algae. During this time brush at least once a day and keep the filter running 24/7. This process could take up to a week but more than likely will take a couple days. Once all the algae is gone you need to keep your FC level at 10% of your CYA to keep it gone.