Draining my pool to rid algae!!!

[marysb]

I a over the algae! I decided to drain and start over. How long will algae live without water? I am getting ready to bleach the walls and steps! Any advise?

 

[loughps]

The algae is going to come back quickly if you don't maintain a high enough level of chlorine in the new water. If you haven't already drained the pool, my suggestion is to post a full water test and get some thoughts first. Rarely is draining a pool to control algae the right answer.

 

[JohnT]

The risks of draining the pool are fairly high, especially this time of year. It is very easy to clear the blackest, nastiest water in just a few days with the information in these articles:

Defeating Algae

Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis

Shocking Your Pool

 

[marysb]

I am draining only to the deep end. How long does it take to kill algae if it is not in water. I have mustard algae.

 

[Bama Rambler]

If you're not draining it completely, you're not really helping yourself. The amount of algae left in there will overtake any new water you put back in there almost immediately. You're better off properly shocking the pool with it full unless there's some other reason to drain the water (e.g. high CYA). You'll lose circulation when the water gets that low and that won't help your cause either.

 

[anonapersona]

Repeat, there can be risk of damage to the pool from draining. What sort of pool do you have, above ground or in ground?

Is there any debris in the deep end now? One of the first steps, after a good water test, is to clear all debris from the pool.