Experiment: Homemade Sump Pump Filter to get rid of brown water

[cans25]

Ok - the filter has been running since about 6 last night. There is no visible different, but we did pull out a TON of brown sludge this morning so it is removing metals. Just not enough to be noticeable yet. I also ordered a sand filter to replace the lousy filter that came with the pool.

I know the previous person that tried this put bleach in the pool. Can anyone shed any light on this? But for the metal our water is balanced and our levels are good so I am hesitant to add any more chemicals that might upset that.

[Bree1978]

What are you using to sanitize the pool? The bleach is like chlorine, it just is in lower concentrations than what you buy at the pool store. When you 'shock' or over sanitize to zap all the nasties it makes the metals precipitate out of the water. I think it is because you are temporarily bringing the ph way up....but I don't know, wasn't all that good at chemistry

[CarlD]

Lots of pool stores sell "Liquid Chlorine" that's 6%, same as Ultra bleach. In fact, exactly the same, except, perhaps for price. Then they sell the strong stuff. If it's in 5 gallon carboys it's also LC, but 12.5%. If it's in gallon jugs of 10% or 12.5%, it's usually badged as "Liquid Shock".

"Shock" is a HORRIBLE word to use as a noun for a pool chem.

Carl

[mbar]

Hi cans25,
I would hold off on raising the chlorine until you filter for a while. As long as you are getting the "sludge" out, you are removing the metals. If it is sludge, it is in a solid form so it can be removed. When the metals are in solution they cannot be removed, then you need a sequestering agent so that the metals don't "fall out" and stain the surface of the pool. Keep running the sump using the batting to filter until the water runs clear, or you remove as much of the metals as you can. Then you can balance the water.

[aylad]

Heyyyy Marie!! (waving)
Glad to see you back!!

Janet

[mbar]

Thanks, it's been crazy here, lots going on with family....The pool is now open, and today is sooo hot I am now going to go in it for the first time! I love that the forum is back to it's old self!!!

[CarlD]

And we love having you back! NOBODY gives better or more articulate directions on the step-by-step process to clear out metals!

Good to see you, Marie!

Carl