A swimming pool is synonymous with relaxation, fun, and freshness. But a green pool? That’s a whole different story… Between algae growth, cloudy water, and unpleasant odors, it can quickly turn into a nightmare.
At Flipr, with over 10 terabytes of data analyzed from 27,000 pools, we have identified the 10 most common mistakes that can turn your crystal-clear pool into a green swamp. Here’s how to recognize and avoid them.
❌ Mistake #1: Poor Physicochemical Water Balance 💡
Everyone tends to focus solely on disinfectant levels (chlorine, bromine, etc.), but the overall water balance is the foundation. It’s like treating an illness with antibiotics without checking the patient’s overall health. If the water isn’t balanced, no treatment will be effective.
🔬 Key Parameters to Monitor:
-
TAC (Total Alkalinity): Stabilizes the pH.
➡️ Too low: pH becomes unstable.
➡️ Too high: pH becomes hard to adjust.
Ideal range: 70 - 150 mg/L. -
TH (Water Hardness): Affects scale formation and equipment corrosion.
➡️ Too low: water becomes corrosive.
➡️ Too high: calcium deposits form.
Ideal range: 200 - 300 mg/L. -
Saturation pH (Taylor Balance): Measures overall mineral balance.
➡️ The enhanced version includes temperature, alkalinity, hardness, and pH.
A correct balance prevents scale deposits and corrosion.
✅ Key takeaway: Balancing these parameters ensures clean, algae-free water.
❌ Mistake #2: Incorrect Water Stabilization 🌞
This mistake mainly affects chlorine and saltwater pools (remember: a saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool, as salt is converted into chlorine via electrolysis).
🌤️ The Role of Stabilizer:
The stabilizer protects chlorine from UV degradation.
➡️ Without stabilizer: chlorine degrades rapidly.
➡️ Too much stabilizer: chlorine becomes inactive, unable to disinfect.
🎯 Ideal range: 30 to 50 mg/L. Beyond 75 mg/L, chlorine loses effectiveness, leading to green water.
❌ Mistake #3: Improper pH Levels 🌡️
The pH level is the central indicator of water quality.
🔍 Why pH Matters:
-
For disinfection:
➡️ pH 7 = chlorine is 80% active.
➡️ pH 8 = only 20% of chlorine remains active.
Ideal range: 7.2 to 7.6. - For swimmer comfort: Improper pH causes eye and skin irritation and cloudy water.
-
For equipment protection:
➡️ Too low: corrosive.
➡️ Too high: leads to scale deposits.
❌ Mistake #4: Inadequate Filtration 💧
Filtration is the heart of the pool. Without proper filtration, debris accumulates and feeds algae growth.
⚙️ Tips:
➡️ Filtration time: Water temperature ÷ 2 = filtration hours per day (e.g., 28°C = 14h/day).
➡️ Maintenance: Regularly clean the filter for optimal performance.
❌ Mistake #5: Insufficient Disinfectant 🧪
Without disinfectant, algae and bacteria thrive.
💡 Ideal levels:
➡️ Free chlorine: 1.5 - 3 mg/L.
➡️ Bromine: 2 - 4 mg/L.
❌ Mistake #6: Neglecting Pool Cleaning 🧹
🧼 Why it’s important:
➡️ Debris fuels algae growth.
➡️ Weekly cleaning (or more, depending on usage) keeps the water safe.
❌ Mistake #7: Failing to Adjust After Storms ⛈️
Storms disrupt water balance.
🌧️ Post-storm checklist:
- Check and adjust pH levels.
- Perform a shock treatment.
- Remove debris from the pool.
- Clean the filter.
❌ Mistake #8: Neglecting Water Renewal 🚿
Over time, residual compounds build up in the water.
💦 Tip: Renew 1/3 of the pool water annually to maintain quality and protect equipment.
❌ Mistake #9: Ignoring Water Clarity (Turbidity) 🔍
Turbidity measures how clear the water is. Cloudy water indicates impurities.
🛠️ Solutions:
- Clean the filter.
- Perform a shock treatment if needed.
- Balance the pH.
❌ Mistake #10: Poor Temperature Management 🌡️
Warmer water speeds up algae growth.
☀️ Best practices:
- Keep water between 26°C and 28°C.
- Run filtration during the hottest parts of the day.
- Use an isothermal cover to control temperature.
💡 Conclusion: Clear, Blue Water Is Within Reach!
Avoiding these 10 common mistakes means enjoying a clean, clear pool that’s ready for swimming anytime.
💙 The Flipr Team wishes you a crystal-clear pool... with no algae in sight! 🌿