General Pool Problems
99 problems, but your pool ain’t one …
Green Water
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/No-Chlorine.png)
No/Low Chlorine
No chlorine reading when testing.
Low chlorine reading.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Correct pH. Note: if TA (Total Alkalinity) has not been tested, test and correct TA (Total Alkalinity) level before starting treatment.
- Shock treat with HTH® Granular+ Mineralsoft™ Pool Chlorine /HTH® Shock It® in accordance with label instructions.
-
To Aid filtration, add HTH® Sparkle It™ / HTH® Sparkle It™ cube in accordance with label instructions.
OR
HTH® Green to blue™ in accordance with label instructions.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Green-Algae.png)
Green Algae
No/Low chlorine reading when testing.
Green patches on floor / walls of pool lining.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Correct pH.
- Ensure Free chlorine level (FAC) is below 1ppm.
- Add HTH® Green Algaecide according to label instructions.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Over-Stabilised.png)
Over-stabilised Water
High Chlorine level, high Stabiliser level.
Pool is luminous green.
Pool is luminous green.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- The only way to reduce the stabiliser level is to drain a portion of pool water.
Take care not to drain the water level to BELOW the bottom of the weir to avoid damage to the pool pump.
- Top up with fresh water.
- Repeat as necessary until the stabiliser level is within the recommended range. Retest pool water.
- Please note: High levels of stabiliser may result in insufficient free chlorine and harmful bacteria in your pool water. DO NOT EXCEED 50ppm.
- Consider using non-stabilised chlorine products like like HTH® Granular+ Mineralsoft™ Pool chlorine and HTH® Slow Release Granular Floater until the stabiliser level is within the recommended range.
- Correct filtering hours in accordance with pool size.
- Select the floater that is suitable for your pool size.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disolved-Metals.png)
Dissolved Metals
Pool turns green when chlorine is added.
Use of borehole water or metal based chemicals.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Add HTH® Metal remover in accordance with label instructions.
- Allow to circulate for at least 8 hours to ensure thorough mixing.
- Test and adjust pH if necessary.
- Allow the filter to run continuously for 24 hours.
- Resume normal chlorination and filtration.
Cloudy Water
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Slighty-Cloudy.png)
Slightly cloudy
Water is cloudy but you can see
to the bottom of the pool.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Clear pump and weir basket.
- Backwash for 2 mins and rinse for 30 seconds.
- Correct pH.
- Add HTH® Sparkle It™/ HTH® Sparkle It™ Cube in accordance with label instructions.
- Ensure that you adhere to the correct filtering hours for your pool size. .
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Very-Cloudy.png)
Very cloudy
Water is cloudy and you can barely
see to the bottom of the pool.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Backwash for 2 mins and rinse for 30 seconds.
- Add HTH ® Xtreme Flocc and HTH® Metal Remover by following label instructions.
- This treatment requires manual vacuuming.
- Never use more than 1 bottle of HTH® Xtreme Flocc at a time, rather repeat treatment after one week.
Algae
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Green-Algae.png)
Green Algae
Green algae on walls and floor.
Pool walls feel slimy
Pool walls feel slimy
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Correct pH.
- Ensure Free chlorine level (FAC) is below 1ppm.
- Add HTH® Green Algaecide in accordance with label instructions.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Black-Algae.png)
Black Algae
Slimy black patches on walls.
Can’t be removed by brushing.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Correct pH.
- Ensure Free chlorine level (FAC) is below 1ppm.
- Add HTH® All-in-1 Algaecide or HTH® Black Algaecide Micro in accordance with label instructions. Maintain pH and Chlorine within recommended range.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Do-not-know.png)
Don’t know
Slimy black patches on walls.
Can’t be removed by brushing.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Correct pH.
- Ensure Free chlorine level (FAC) is below 1ppm.
- Add HTH® All-in-1 Algaecide in accordance with label instructions. Maintain pH and Chlorine within recommended range.
Stains
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Copper.png)
Copper
Black/blue marks on pool lining.
Won’t brush off.
Won’t brush off.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Add 2 liters of HTH® Metal remover in accordance with label instructions.
- Allow to circulate for at least 8 hours to ensure thorough mixing.
- Test and adjust pH if necessary.
- Allow the filter to run continuously for 24 hours.
-
Resume normal chlorination and filtration.
OR
Add HTH® Stain Lift & Prevent for metal based stains.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Iron.png)
Iron
Brown/yellow marks on pool lining.
Won’t brush off.
Won’t brush off.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Add 2 liters of HTH® Metal remover in accordance with label instructions.
- Allow to circulate for at least 8 hours to ensure thorough mixing.
- Test and adjust pH if necessary.
- Allow filter to run continuously for 24 hours.
-
Resume normal chlorination and filtration.
OR
Add HTH® Stain Lift & Prevent for metal based stains.
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Organic.png)
Organic
Green/yellow marks on pool lining.
Won’t brush off.
Won’t brush off.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Add 2 liters of HTH® Metal remover in accordance with label instructions.
- Allow to circulate for at least 8 hours to ensure thorough mixing.
- Test and adjust pH if necessary.
- Allow the filter to run continuously for 24 hours.
- Resume normal chlorination and filtration.
Stagnant Water
![](https://hth.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Stagnant.png)
Stagnant Water
Water looks dark green/black. Water has been
left untreated. Pool pump/filter has not been
working for an extended period.
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RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
(Treatment based on a 50,000l Pool)
- Brush pool walls and steps to remove algae from the pool lining.
- Top up the water level to ensure that it is well above the weir.
- Backwash and Rinse pool filter.
- Test pool water and correct parameters to the recommended ranges.
- Ensure pH is 7.2 (If pH is low, add Alkalinity up, if pH is high add HTH® Dry Acid or HTH® Easy Acid as per label directions for use).
- In the early evening Shock treat with 3 cups of chlorine or a pouch of HTH® Shock it.
NB: If the green colour hasn’t disappeared after 12 hours you may need to repeat the shock treatment process
- Run pool pump on filter for 12 hours to clear some of the debris.
- The following morning, backwash and rinse once more to clear debris accumulated.
- If a large amount of debris is still present in the water or your pool is still cloudy, use a clarifier such as HTH® Xtreme Flocc to clear the water – follow label directions for use carefully).
**IMPORTANT NOTE: depending on the severity of the water conditions, some or all of these steps may have to be repeated.