Dead Algae
Dead algae is killed algae cells that remain suspended or settled in pool water after shock treatment, causing grey or white cloudiness.
Definition
Dead algae is killed algae cells that remain suspended or settled in pool water after shock treatment, causing grey or white cloudiness.
Typical Values: Clears within 12–48 hours of continuous filtration after successful shock treatment
In Plain Language
After successfully shocking an algae bloom, the killed algae cells do not disappear — they become fine grey-white particles suspended in the water. This is what causes the characteristic grey-white cloudiness that follows a green pool treatment. Dead algae must be removed by continuous filtration, backwashing or cartridge cleaning, and vacuuming to waste. Adding clarifier can speed up particle aggregation for filter capture.
Why It Matters
Dead algae cloudiness is a normal part of algae recovery — it indicates the treatment worked, not that there is a new problem.
Typical Values
Clears within 12–48 hours of continuous filtration after successful shock treatment
Last reviewed: 2026-06-01