Run it 8-12 hours a day in hot weather.

That’s the sweet spot. Most pools need one full turnover of the water per day (all the water through the filter once). In hot weather, algae grows faster, so you want more circulation. Eight hours is usually enough for a properly sized pump; 12 if your pump is undersized or you have heavy sun exposure.

Don’t run it 24/7—that wastes electricity and wears out the pump. But don’t skimp either. A green pool is way more work than letting the pump run an extra hour. Check your pool’s size and pump flow rate to confirm; for most residential setups, 8-12 hours covers it.

If you can, run it during the hottest part of the day to stop algae from getting a foothold. Future you will thank present you for not having to shock the thing.