Algae question- please help!?

Question

Hi there,

Can Saltwater/Saltwater Systems kill Algae or Chlorine/Chlorine Systems kill algae? Please help! My pool is really green and slimy.

Answer 1

What kind of system do you have right now?  No system is guaranteed to kill algae, but if your chlorine level is high enough in EITHER system (yes, saltwater systems produce a form of chlorine as well) then algae is unlikely to grow.  

So chances are if you have algae, your chlorine level may be low.  With a regular chlorine pool, dump in some chlorine shock.  With a saltwater pool, set your generator onto the superchlorinate setting.  

Next, wait at least 12-24 hours after shocking and get in there and scrub off some algae with a wall brush.  Give it some time for the gunk to settle at the bottom and then use an algaecide.  You will want to make sure you buy one appropriate for saltwater systems, if that's what you have.  Make sure it's at least 60%...you can get cheap 5% algaecide junk but that stuff won't do much more than if you pour dish soap in your pool.