Before and after photo of a backyard pool in Cairns showing left side with green algae-filled water and right side sparkling clean, surrounded by tropical plants and paving.

Why Is My Pool Always Green? Tropical Pool Cleaning Tips for Cairns

It’s the middle of summer. You’ve just skimmed the leaves, checked the filter, maybe even thrown in a bit of chlorine… but your pool still looks like a murky swamp.
Sound familiar?
If you live in Cairns, you’re not alone. Between the tropical heat, heavy rain, and harsh sun, green pools are a constant battle. But it doesn’t have to be that way — and the solution is often easier (and safer) than you think.

Why Pools Go Green – Especially in Cairns

Cairns’ tropical climate is perfect for palm trees and reef trips — and unfortunately, also perfect for algae.


Here’s why green pools are so common in our region:

  • Warm temperatures speed up algae growth dramatically
  • Heavy rainfall dilutes chlorine and disrupts water balance
  • Strong UV exposure rapidly breaks down chlorine
  • Debris and organic matter (like leaves or dust from storms) feed algae
  • Infrequent servicing or malfunctioning chlorinators allow water quality to slip

All it takes is a few days of neglect — and suddenly your sparkling pool is green and cloudy.

Are You Accidentally Making It Worse?

Tropical backyard swimming pool in Cairns with rain falling, leaves and debris in water, cloudy green tint starting to appear, palm trees and stormy sky in background Many pool owners try to fix a green pool themselves, but without realising it, they often make it worse.
Here are some common DIY missteps:

  • Topping up with fresh water but not rebalancing chlorine or pH
  • Reducing water level after rain, sending precious chems down the drain
  • Trusting an automatic chlorinator that’s stopped producing chlorine
  • Leaving leaves or debris in the pool after storms
  • Using cheap hardware store chemicals that aren’t designed for tropical conditions

Even small oversights can have big consequences when the weather turns hot and humid.

Why A Green Pool Needs More Than A Shock Treatment

Dumping some chlorine into a green pool might give you a temporary fix — but in most cases, it doesn’t address the root cause. A proper recovery requires:

  • Accurate water testing
  • Targeted algae treatments, not just chlorine
  • Filter cleaning or backwashing
  • Rebalancing of pH, alkalinity and stabiliser
  • Equipment checks to ensure your chlorinator and pump are actually doing their job
 

If the underlying issues aren’t resolved, that green tinge will likely be back in a week or two.

Health Risks Of Swimming In A Green Pool

Besides looking uninviting, green or poorly balanced pool water can pose genuine health risks — especially in warm, tropical climates like Cairns.
Here are just a few illnesses linked to green pools:

  • Tropical ear infections (otitis externa) – caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas, common in stagnant water
  • Swimmer’s itch or rashes – from parasites or bacteria in untreated pools
  • Gastrointestinal illnesses – including E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia from faecal contamination
  • Leptospirosis – a bacterial infection spread by animal urine, more likely in rural or rain-affected pools
  • Amoebic meningitis (rare but fatal) – caused by Naegleria fowleri, which thrives in poorly chlorinated warm water entering the nose

⚠️ Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

Our Green Pool Recovery Service

At Allan’s Pool Shop, we’ve helped hundreds of pool owners — from Edmonton to Palm Cove — recover their green, cloudy, or algae-infested pools.
Here’s what our Green Pool Recovery service includes:

  • Site visit and professional water testing
  • Targeted algae treatment based on your pool’s condition
  • Filter cleaning or backwash
  • Full chemical rebalancing (pH, chlorine, alkalinity, stabiliser)
  • Equipment inspection
  • Optional follow-up service or entry into a scheduled maintenance program

We don’t just clear the water — we fix the source of the problem.

Want To Keep Your Pool From Going Green?

If your pool goes green more than once a year, there’s likely an underlying issue — and professional help can save you time, money and frustration.
Our scheduled pool servicing plans are designed specifically for tropical conditions and ensure:

  • Consistent, crystal-clear water
  • Balanced chemistry all year round
  • Extended lifespan of your pumps, filters and chlorinator

No more green pool emergencies.

Ready To Swim Again? Call Us Today

Don’t waste another weekend trying to guess your way back to clean water.
📞 Call Allan’s Pool Shop now to book your Green Pool Recovery
✅ Servicing all of Cairns — from Edmonton to Palm Cove
✅ Trusted by homeowners, Airbnb hosts and property managers
✅ Fast, affordable and reliable
We’ll get your pool sparkling again — and keep it that way.

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