How long does it take to clear a green pool?
Most green pools clear in three to seven days. Light green water with working equipment often turns around in a couple of days. Dark green or black-green water with a failed pump, high stabilizer, or a heavy debris load takes longer and sometimes needs a partial drain.
| Starting condition | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Light green, equipment working | 2–3 days |
| Deep green, heavy bloom | 4–7 days |
| Black-green with debris on the floor | A week or more |
| High cyanuric acid blocking chlorine | Longer — needs dilution first |
What slows recovery down
- A filter that is never cleaned during the process
- Pump running only a few hours a day
- pH left high so shock underperforms
- Leaves and organic debris still on the floor
- Stabilizer far above range
Cloudy grey water after the green is gone is normal — that is dead algae working through the filter. Keep circulation running and keep cleaning the filter and it clears.