Chlorine Bleach Problems

[MJKAST]

I have been using "Ultra" chlorine bleach from Walmart for a couple of years now. Up to now, I've had no problems. This year, however, after using it on a couple of occasions, the water turned cloudy. I used a flocculator and a yellowish brown precipitant fell out on the bottom. Had to vacuum it out. This has happened to me three times now until I finally noticed it happened only after adding the bleach. The container shows no additives other than normal bleach. Anyone else seen this problem or know if something has changed?

Thanks
MJKAST "Newbie"

[JohnT]

I would be suspecting metal in the water.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

As John pointed out, chlorine can cause metals to precipitate (drop out of solution). If you use a floc I don't think you are supposed to shock or bring the chlorine level up very high. Is your fill-water from a well? Also, try to have your water tested for metals and then treat that otherwise you will have this problem whenever you shock.

[MJKAST]

Thanks for the responses.
First of all, I use municipal water and have been for the last eight years. Obviously something could have changed with the water this year. I only used the flocculant twice as a result of the pool being cloudy. Recently using Chlorine tablets, I did not see this problem. I hold the chorine content to between 3 and 6 ppm. The only metal in content with the pool water (vinyl lined) would be the ladder and possible pump parts (all pvc plumbed). What type of metal typically reacts with chlorine?

MJ

[JohnT]

What you are seeing seems like iron in the water. Copper could be introduced in a copper based algaecide, but I don't know that it would precipitate like you are seeing. A poolstore can test the water for metals.