Lime Green Water now -- Metals?

[bcdavenp]

OK -- When I first started opening my pool -- I put a CuLater packet in the skimmer. Not real sure of results tho... It is not there now - and I have metals. I Think we have attempted 7c -- dropping it to the bottom trying to use both Super Floc and Alum at different times -- but pool store had me lower the chlorine for both of these attempts - we raised the ph tho. Little results. Still can not see the bottom. Pool store is recommending changing out the Sand for ZeoSand. I had put 50lbs of zeosand in when I changed my 300 lbs filter just a week or so ago. But they are suggesting I put all zeosand. I have one more CuLater packet -- should I put that in the skimmer? What are your thoughts about the zeosand?

[bcdavenp]

Now I can't get back to the links to allow my son to read it as well......

[Watermom]

Until your registration is completed, you'll need to log out to be able to see the rest of the forum. So, log out and then look on the homepage for the subforum called "Pool Chemistry for Intex-type Pools." The first two threads in that section are the ones that Janet advised you to read. (I assume that those are the two that you wanted to show your son.)

Hope this helps you.

[aylad]

You're going to need to keep your pH low (7.0-7.4), your chlorine low, and the metal sequestrant in the water. If you have the Culator, go ahead and put it in the skimmer--it won't hurt, and it may help!

I have zeo in my filter, just because I wanted to try it--but honestly I don't see any difference between zeo and sand when it comes to filtration--the zeo is more expensive but you have to haul less of it--that's the only advantage I see. Shouldn't make any difference one way or another with your metals situation.

[bcdavenp]

Thanks, Watermom - I was able to get to it that way.

We are currently doing a blind vacuum - to waste - to remove anything that may have fallen to the bottom of the pool with this last Alum treatment. We know it had to have dropped something - we can now see the third step in the shallow end. we could barely see the second before. Once we've completed that vacuum task, I'm going to put the CuLator in the skimmer, and see if that does anything over the next 24 hours. We'll let you know.

[Watermom]

Please do let us know about your results (good or bad) with the CuLator. We are trying to collect as many people's experiences with this product as possible.

[PoolDoc]

Your membership has been upgraded.

Regarding the CuLator, one thing we have found is that they seem to work, but SLOWLY. Actually, given their mode of action, they can't act quickly. So . . . putting a CuLator bag in for a day will have little effect. A month is a more reasonable period. That's why we've been recommending using them only under a skimmer sock, so they don't get fouled by pool goo. I'll put links below.

Also, the metal HAS to be in soluble form (ie, before staining) for the CuLator to work. So you have to lift the stains (maybe with Vitamin C, ascorbic acid; suspend the metals with HEDP and THEN use the CuLator for a month. Don't bother with the Culator now. Instead do these things:

1. Get a K2006 testkit ASAP, and tell us what your water levels are. (info page link in my signature)
2. Run your filter 24/7
3. Remove all tabs from your feeder and the skimmer.
4. Dose each EVENING with 3 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach, added one gallon at a time via the skimmer, each gallon spaced at least 5 minutes apart.
5. Get some polyquat (info page) ASAP and add 1 cup via the skimmer each MORNING.
6. Stay the heck away from that store unless you need parts; do NOT get zeosand!
7. While vacuuming, try to see whether picked up dirt is blowing through the filter, and back into the pool. If it's not, vacuum as much as you can, so long as there's something to pick up. By the way, you need a WHEELED vac head to remove floc; brush vacuums tend to stir it up.

like this one: Poolmaster 27200 Flexible Metal Handle Vacuum @ Amazon

8. Get a cheap OTO/phenol red drops kit from Walmart, so you can at least tell us the pH and chlorine levels.

[bcdavenp]

ok - Pool is now blue -- but still VERY cloudy. Can only BARELY see the third step in the shallow end. Can not see the bottom of the pool. Chlorine 2-4 PH 6.8 Alk 80 I have turned the Chlorinator off. I have not had the chance to get the Polyquat -- it was too expensive at the pool store. I will order online, and have it shipped. I do not understand about the bleach and muratic acid. Please explain. How long will the process take to clear up the water?

[PoolDoc]

Please tell me which steps you had completed prior to the color change.

What don't you understand about the bleach? I hadn't been completely clear about adding the bleach, 1 gallon at a time, on 5 minute intervals. Is that what you meant?

But, I'm not at all sure what you are asking about the muriatic.

As far as how long? The only answer is, I don't know. This sort of water treatment is NOT something we have down to a science, especially when we don't control all the variables of treatment and equipment at your pool.

In your case, you've added -- at your local store's direction -- a witch's brew of chemicals, and I have no idea what they all are, or how they will interact. That's one reason we try to encourage people to use as few chemicals as possible: so we'll have some hope of predicting what will happen. When there are as many different things in your water as you have . . . any prediction is a mere guess.

[bcdavenp]

The only thing that has been done when the water changed from green to blue -- was blind vacuuming to waste, turning up the chlorinator, and putting the CuLator packet in the skimmer. I turned off the in-line chlorinator last night per your direction. I'm ordering the polyquat today. I posted a list of all the chemicals I have on hand. I also gave you readings for PH, chlorine, and alkaline as of 6-7 pm last night. I'm stopping on the way home to pick up the bleach. Do I need to raise PH? it was only 6.8. can I use soda ash to do that? or do I need to find the borax? Would a floc or clarifier help with the cloudy water?