Solved! How do I fix my clear green pool water?

How do I fix my clear green pool water? If you landed on this page chances are you have an unsightly clear green pool that you want to fix ASAP. You came to the right place. We have an all-in-one solution for you, complete with easy-to-use, step-by-step directions directly from Dr. Joe!  This is the DIY way to get rid of your green swimming pool water!

If you CAN see the main drain in your swimming pool, you are on the right page. Follow directions below. 

If you CANNOT see the main drain then click here for help with Cloudy Green Pool Water.

How To Fix Clear Green Pool Water
Clear Green Pool Water Example
Green Pool Water From Iron And Copper

Use our step-by-step guide for fixing clear green pool water below.

Items needed to fix your clear green pool water:​

Mega Maintain Metal, Stain & Scale Control is a sequestering/chelating agent that holds stain-causing metals, like iron, copper, and manganese in suspension.

Rust and Iron Stain Remover reduces the suspended oxidized iron (rust) into its clear ionic form.

Copper Stain Remover reduces the suspended oxidized copper into its clear ionic form.

CuLator Ultra 4.0 removes and eliminates dissolved iron and other metals from the swimming pool.

Purchase our Metal Stain Eliminator Kit and use the step-by-step instructions below to solve your green pool water problems!

Follow these directions step-by-step

Print off the Step-By-Step Guide Here.

Prior to starting this procedure read all instructions. Make sure to properly balance the pool and spa water, but the free chlorine level should be below 0.5 ppm. IMPORTANT: The pool should not be used until the procedure is completed and the pH is 7.2-7.8 and free chlorine level is between 1.0 ppm and 4.0 ppm.

Balanced Pool Water Guide: Free Chlorine: 1-4 ppm, Total Chlorine 1-4 ppm, Combined Chlorine 0, pH: 7.2-7.8, Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm, Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm, Cyanuric Acid (CYA) 30-50, Iron: 0 ppm, and Copper: 0 ppm.

Step 1.

First, balance the pool water and wait for the chlorine level to go below 0.5 ppm. This may take a few days.

Step 2.

Walk around the edge of the pool adding 1 quart of Mega Maintain Metal, Stain & Scale Control

Step 3.

Walk around the edge of the pool adding 1 bag of Rust and Iron Stain Remover and 1 bag of Copper Stain Remover. This will both reduce the chlorine level to 0 ppm and help to remove the green or other color of the water.

Step 4.

Place the CuLator Ultra 4.0 into the pump basket. Run the circulation pump for 2 hours.

Step 5.

When the water is clear and colorless, start to slowly add chlorine (1/8 of a lb. of powdered chlorine or 1/4 gal. of liquid chlorine per hour, per 20,000 gal.) until the level reaches 1-4 ppm.  The pool water may go cloudy*, which is normal, and may last a few days to several days. It may take a large amount of chlorine before the chlorine holds. Finish balancing the pool water and maintain a chlorine level between 1-4 ppm.

Important: After 12 hours, even if the water still has color, you MUST start to add chlorine until it holds at 1-4 ppm to avoid an algae bloom. Slowly add chlorine (liquid chlorine is preferred) to the pool. If you are using “pool shock” to add chlorine to the water, add no more than 1/8 of a 1 lb. per hour. If you over-chlorinate the pool, you risk staining your pool surface.  Follow all steps for best results.

Keep the chlorine level between 1-2 ppm for 3-4 weeks. DO NOT OVER-CHLORINATE WITH LIQUID OR POWDERED CHLORINE OR SHOCK DURING THIS TIME. (If you allow the chlorine level to exceed 4 ppm the green water may return and surface staining may appear). Keep the filtration system running for a minimum of 12 hours per day until the water is clear. 

*Note: The pool water may temporarily turn cloudy due to the chlorine removing excess Stain Removers. Once the excess Stain Removers are gone, the cloudiness will disappear, and you will be able to hold and measure chlorine in the pool water.  This may take several days. 

Purchase The Metal Stain Eliminator Kit to remove your green water issues!

You have the solution for clear green pool water!

Clear Green Pool Before Treatment with Periodic Products' Metal Stain Eliminator Kit
Before Treatment
Clear Green Pool Water During Treatment
During Treatment
After Treatment

Used CuLator with copper and iron removed from swimming pool water!

Used CuLator Ultra 4.0 with Copper Trapped Inside
Used CuLator Ultra 4.0 with Copper removed from Swimming Pool
Used CuLator PowerPak 1.0 with Copper Removed from Swimming Pool Water
Used Culator with high levels of copper trapped inside
CuLator Used with Iron Inside
CuLator PowerPak 1.0 Used with Iron Removed from Pool
Used CuLator Ultra 4.0 With Iron Bound Inside
Used CuLator Ultra 4.0 With Iron (Yellow Color) Bound Inside Bag.
Periodic Products' Metal Stain Eliminator Kit for Pools and Spas

Have Metal Surface Stains In Your Pool?

Remove those stains with a Metal Stain Eliminator Kit!

How can I prevent green pool water in the future?

It’s easy to prevent ugly green water in the future. Simply keep your water balanced and chlorinated and use our Trifecta System

  1. Pre-Filter source water with FillFast.
  2. Sequester any additional metals with Super Start-Up or Mega Maintain.
  3. Place a CuLator Ultra 4.0 in your pump basket.