How to Remove Crystals from Pool — Robot Pool Cleaner
If you have discovered hard, white or grayish crystals growing on the walls or floor of your pool, you have calcium buildup — a common problem for both saltwater and chlorinated pools. Though it may seem harmless, it can corrode pool surfaces and leave the water feeling gritty. One of the easiest ways to combat these crystal formations is with the use of a robot pool cleaner.
Crystals generally form as a result of high calcium hardness, poor water balance or high temperatures. When paired with a pool vacuum, skimmer, and chemical treatments, robotic pool cleaners work wonders in shredding and eliminating this mineral residue.
The Causes of Pool Crystals and How to Stop Them
THE CAUSES OF CALCIUM CRYSTALS (BETTER KNOWN AS SCALING) ARE:
High pH and calcium hardness
Evaporation in hot climates
Algorithm or filtration issues
A pool robotic pool cleaner or vacuum cleaner for pool can collect it here before it sets and hardens. These tools are very useful for making your pool walls, floors, and waterlines spotless.
How to Remove crystals in your pool
Verify and Balance Water Chemistry
Calcium Hardness Watch your calcium hardness, it should be between 200-400 ppm. Control your alkalinity and pH to help prevent crystals.
Brush Affected Areas
Rinse thoroughly to remove any loosened calcium deposits.
Use a Robotic Pool Cleaner
A wall-climbing pool cleaning robot can assist in scrubbing away deposits and collect the debris. Maytronics pool cleaner and the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro are well suited for it.
Add a Stain and Scale Remover
These make the calcium softer so robotic cleaners can better pick it up.
Vacuum and Skim Regularly
A pool vacuum robot and skimmer make sure the debris doesn’t settle and re-crystallize.
Robotic Pool Cleaners for crystal removal
Best robotic models to remove calcium and debris:
Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra — Smart navigation and precision scrubbing
Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro – Effective on wall and waterlines
Beatbot AquaSense 2 – Compact budget cleaner
Maytronics Dolphin Premier – Advanced add-on brushes for hard surfaces
The gentle pool cleaners won’t scratch finishes but are tough enough to help remove build-up—suitable for both vinyl and plaster pools.
How About Will a Pool Robot Pick Up Algae Or Crystallized Debris?
Yes! Most modern pool robots are equipped for fine particles, such as algae and softened calcium. For a comprehensive clean, make sure you pair your capture of dirt with a pool vacuum specifically designed for algae. You can also find out how to acid wash pool surfaces if the buildup is too far gone for just scrubbing.
Do you need a pool booster pump for cleaning crystals?
If you use pressure-side cleaners. Robotic cleaners such as Beatbot do not need a pool booster pump, making them a more energy efficient and easier pool cleaner to install. See more in our article What is a pool booster pump
How to Drain an Inground Pool Without a Pump
In very severe cases, this may require draining the pool to be treated. Here’s a step-by-step guide to draining an inground pool without a pump.
Prevention of New Calcium Deposits
Test water chemistry regularly
Run a wall climbing pool cleaner weekly
In hot months, skim and vacuum daily
Add sequestrants to inhibit mineral crystallization
Want to dive deeper? Read our pool robot maintenance guide or our complete comparison of the pool vacuum and robotic cleaner.
ROBOT POOL CLEANER: BEST WAY TO REMOVE CRYSTALS
This is your best friend when clearing calcium crystals and preventing future buildup. It scrubs, filters, and vacuums so you don’t have to, saving you time and elbow grease. Leading models such as Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra, AquaSense 2 Pro, and AquaSense 2 make crystal removal a breeze while being environmentally friendly.