How to fix a green pool
Apart from looking grim and uninviting, a green pool is unhealthy for you and your pool equipment. It needs to be ‘rescued’ as soon as possible – you can DIY with ease or call us for assistance.
The most effective way to remedy your pool is through a shock and algaecide treatment, and following BioGuards simple 3-Step Program. In the first instance, we recommend a measured dose of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme supplemented with MSA Extreme is a double action attack – eradicating algae swiftly and successfully.
To determine how much algae is in your pool, use the BioGuard Colour Diagnosis below.

Light Green/Teal Coloured
This indicates a low level of algae and will require the basic shock formula above. Add one bag of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme to every 50,000L of pool water plus the addition of algaecide.

Green Or Dark Green
This generally signifies a medium amount of algae in the water. Requiring more than one treatment. Add two bags of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme to every 50,000L of pool water plus the addition of algaecide.

Black/Brown-Green
At this point, it would be recommended calling Pool Water Specialists for advice. If you live on the Hibicsus Coast or Rodney district, we can come out and take a look. We will be able to advise you of the correct chemical dosage required or if the pool needs to be drained. NEVER drain a pool without seeking advice first – it can ‘pop’ out of the ground and be totally destroyed!
Step-by-step DIY Green Pool Rescue Instructions
Today
- Balance your pool water – using test strips or test kit, ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and Total Alkalinity is in range 80-120ppm – add balancing products as appropriate.
- Empty Skimmer baskets of debris
- Empty Lint pot of debris
- Backwash and rinse filter (or clean cartridge filters using BioGuard Filter Brite)
- Set pump to be operational 24hours per day
- Shock/oxidise your pool if you have product available
- For Salt Pools – increase chlorine output on controller.
Green Pool Rescue Pack DIY Instructions:
Day One
- Balance your pool water – ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and Total Alkalinity is in range 80-120ppm
- Empty Skimmer baskets of debris
- Empty Lint pot of debris
- Backwash and rinse filter (or rinse cartridge filters)
- Ensure pump is operational 24hours per day
- Add BioGuard Burnout Extreme – 1pkt to 50,000l of water via skimmer (or 2 packets – see colour guide below)
- Trickle MSA Extreme Algaecide around full perimeter of pool 100mls per 10,000l of water
Day Two
- Morning: Balance your pool water – ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and Total Alkalinity is in range 80-120ppm
- Ensure Free Chlorine is 3 or higher
- Empty Skimmer baskets of debris
- Empty Lint pot of debris
- Scrub walls and floor with brush on pole or set robotic pool cleaner for long cycle.
- Afternoon: Vacuum pool to waste (if no robotic cleaner)
- Backwash and rinse filter (or rinse cartridge filters)
- Add Super clear clarifying tablet into skimmer (1 tablet per 50,000l)
If pool is still green/cloudy
- Add BioGuard Burnout Extreme – 1pkt to 50,000l of water via skimmer (or 2 packets – see colour guide below)
Day Three
- Morning: Balance your pool water – ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and Total Alkalinity is in range 80-120ppm
- Ensure Free Chlorine is 3 or higher
- Empty Skimmer baskets of debris
- Empty Lint pot of debris
- Scrub walls and floor with brush on pole or set robotic pool cleaner for long cycle.
- Afternoon: Vacuum pool to waste (if no robotic cleaner)
- Backwash and rinse filter (or clean cartridge filters using BioGuard Filter Brite)
- Add Super clear clarifying tablet into skimmer (1 tablet per 50,000l)
Day Four
- If pool is still cloudy
- Morning: Balance your pool water – ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and Total Alkalinity is in range 80-120ppm
- Ensure Free Chlorine is 3 or higher
- Empty Skimmer baskets of debris
- Empty Lint pot of debris
- Scrub walls and floor with brush on pole or set robotic pool cleaner for long cycle.
- Add BioGuard Burnout Extreme – 1pkt to 50,000l of water via skimmer (or 2 packets – see colour guide below)
- Trickle MSA Extreme Algaecide around full perimeter of pool 100mls per 10,000l of water
- Afternoon: Vacuum pool to waste (if no robotic cleaner)
- Backwash and rinse filter (or clean cartridge filters using BioGuard Liquid Brite)
- Add Super clear clarifying tablet into skimmer (1 tablet per 50,000l)
Repeat
When pool is clear:
- Follow instructions on BioGuard Filter Brite to clean sand/glass filter media
- Turn pump back to correct daily duration – approx. 10 hours summer, 4 hours winter
- Consider the addition of BioGuard Pool Complete or BioGuard Optimiser for sparkling, clear, healthy water.
- Remember, all of this can be avoided by following our 3 Step Program; the most cost-effective way to keep your pool healthy, sparkling clear and free of algae!
Water still looks unwell? Fear not – once the algae is destroyed, your water will have a cloudy, grey and blue appearance. To bring your pool back to its healthy best, run your pump and filter and introduce BioGuard Super Clear Clarifying Tabs. If pain persists, call us again on 027 557 5072 for further assistance.
Remember, all of this can be avoided by following our 3 Step Program; the most cost-effective way to keep your pool healthy, sparkling clear and free of algae!
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Algaecide
BioGuard MSA Extreme 946ml
A patented, non-staining, highly concentrated copper-based algaecide powerful enough to kill all types of algae in swimming pools. It is formulated to prevent instances of ‘green hair’, water discolouration and pool surface staining so often encountered with copper-based algaecides.
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Algaecide
BioGuard Polygard Concentrate 1L
A non-foaming polyquat algae preventative and algaecide that is excellent for use in pools with attached spas, fountains, or jetted returns. Free of any metals.
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Clarifier – Tablet
BioGuard Super Clear Clarifying Tabs 60g
60g tablet containing a propriety clarifier which aids in the removal of both organic and inorganic wastes through a filter by gathering together particles that can cause dull and cloudy water.
Available in:Select options- 60g - $6.00 inc GST
- Pack 6 x 60g - $30.00 inc GST
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Clarifier & Water Enhancer
BioGuard Pool Complete
An easy weekly maintenance routine which keeps water amazingly clear, prevents waterline build up and removes phosphates. Available in 2.7L or 500ml.
Available in:Select options- 2.7L - $81.00 inc GST
- 500ml - $16.00 inc GST
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Flocculant
BioGuard Power Floc Maxi 946ml
A concentrated flocculant that coagulates and settles suspended particles to the bottom of the pool for easy removal with a vacuum.
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Green Pool Rescue Onsite Assistance
Call out – onsite assessment and treatment plan implementation. Chemicals additional, follow up visits $50.00 per visit as required. Hibiscus Coast and Rodney District.
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Green Pool Treatment Pack
BioGuard Green Pool Treatment Pack – For a sparkling pool – Worth $191.00 if purchased individually – save $30.00. Pack includes:
1x MSA Extreme 946mL (Algaecide)
2 x Burn Out Extreme 600g (Oxidiser/shock)
2 Super Clear Clarifying Tabs 60g (Clarifier)
1 x Filter Brite 250g (Filter cleaner)$191.00$161.00 inc GST Add to cart -
Oxidiser/Shock
BioGuard Burn Out Extreme 600g
Multifunctional granules provide a convenient and economical means for shocking swimming pools and for treating pools with chlorine demand and/or algae problems. For use when Total Chlorine needs increasing and combined chlorine needs eliminating.
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Phosphate Remover
BioGuard Phos Kill 1L
Remove phosphates (a major food source for algae) from pool water, preventing algae growth. Using this product makes pool sanitation more efficient against green pools and can reduce chlorine consumption.
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Water Test Kit 6-in-1
BioLab 6-in-1 Water Test Kit
A complete water testing range for pools and spas, which provides fast and accurate water analysis.
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Water Test Strips – 7-in-1
Insta-TEST 6 Plus (50)
Ideal for all pool types. Tests for: Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Cyanuric Acid (stabiliser), Total Hardness. Pool Water Specialists’ preferred water test strip.
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Water Test Strips – Salt
Insta-TEST Salt – Sodium Chloride
Measures Salt from 1500-5000 ppm. This test strip is a dip-n-read strip with results in 20 seconds.
Available in:Select options- 10 Strips - $29.00 inc GST
- 50 Strips - $55.00 inc GST