Clear blue swimming pool water
Symptom-first fixes

When the water turns on you

Start with what you see. We’ll point you to the right chemistry — not a random aisle of bottles.

Clear a green pool Fix cloudy water

See all symptoms ↓

What do you see?

Pick the symptom that matches. Each guide starts with a quick answer and what to test first.

Green pool water with algae

It’s going green

Most common

Algae roadmap: brush, filter, chlorine.

See steps
Cloudy murky pool water

It’s cloudy / murky

Clarity without panic dosing.

See steps
Pool water surface in bright sun

Strong chlorine smell

Often chloramines — not “too much chlorine”.

See steps
Pool water context for algae types

What kind of algae

Green vs mustard vs black — what changes.

See steps
Clear pool water and surfaces

Scale & calcium marks

Hard water deposits on tile and equipment.

See steps
Hot tub foam context

Foam on the surface

Pool or spa foam — different causes.

See steps
Clear swimming pool water

Eyes burn / irritates

Balance first — not a medical diagnosis.

See steps
Pool water testing context

Metal stains

Brown or blue-green marks from metals.

See steps
Pool surface after heavy rain with debris

After heavy rain

Dilution, debris, chemistry reset.

See steps
Green pool water post-shock with chlorine bucket

Still green after shock

CYA too high? Dose too low? Why it stuck.

See steps
Saltwater pool with mild algae tint and salt cell

Saltwater algae

SWG-safe treatment — protect the cell.

See steps

Before you dose

Expertise isn’t about the quantity of chemicals, but the sequence of steps.

Test first

Free chlorine, pH, and often CYA before you open a bag.

Testing basics

Use a sequence

Green-to-clear is stages — not five products at once.

Green-to-clear checklist

Know when to stop DIY

Equipment failure, stubborn black algae, or electrical issues — call a pro.

Covered in each guide

Latest problem guides

Newest first. Tags show the symptom family.

More guides
Pool water testing context
Surface & stains

Metal stains

Brown or blue-green marks from metals.

See steps
Pool surface after heavy rain with debris
Color & clarity

After heavy rain

Dilution, debris, chemistry reset.

See steps
Saltwater pool with mild algae tint and salt cell
Color & clarity

Saltwater algae

SWG-safe treatment — protect the cell.

See steps
Green pool water post-shock with chlorine bucket
Color & clarity

Still green after shock

CYA too high? Dose too low? Why it stuck.

See steps
Clear pool water and surfaces
Surface & stains

Scale & calcium marks

Hard water deposits on tile and equipment.

See steps
Hot tub foam context
Foam & film

Foam on the surface

Pool or spa foam — different causes.

See steps
View all problem guides

Looking for something else?

Problems is for symptoms. If you need numbers, dose, or a weekly plan — jump there.