Pool water turned green after shocking. How to clear it??

[aces3]

We have an above ground pool. It's an 18 by 52. We are on WELL water. We filled it and it was nice and clear. Then I put Shock and Swim in it and its now green.

You can still see through the water but its slightly green.

We have pumped and pumped it and changed the filters. The filters are turning brown so we are assuming there is a lot if iron ore in the water. We also have a high amount if sulfur in our water.

Where do I start on trying to clear this?

[Watermom]

I'm going to let PoolDoc help you with this. I have already asked him to look in on your thread. Metal contaminated well water presents a challenge for pools, but he will best be able to help you get it cleared up.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

We have pumped and pumped it and changed the filters. The filters are turning brown so we are assuming there is a lot if iron ore in the water. We also have a high amount if sulfur in our water.

Where do I start on trying to clear this?

You are already doing it; you just need to add P.O.P. (Pool Owner Patiences). There is, unfortunately, no shortcut to cleaning up metal contaminated water. Run your filter 24/7; raise chlorine levels steadily, but only in small increments each time; do not use algaecides (except polyquat). You can use a clarifier (or polyquat), but do not overdose.

[ www.poolsolutions.com/polyquat.html ]

If you have an Intex pool, getting better filter cartridges will make clean up now, and maintenance over the summer, much easier:

+ The OEM cartridges in Intex / Summer Escapes / etc. filters are not high quality. The Intex manuals recommend replacing them completely every 2 weeks. A BETTER option is to replace them permanently with 2 - 3 Unicel cartridges, and rotating them through a cleaning solution. Properly maintained, the Unicel cartridges will last all season AND will filter better. So even though they cost more per cartridge, they cost less per season! Learn to maintain them, by reading this post, Cleaning-your-Cartridge-Filter-wiithout-Damaging-It!

But, purchasing them is tricky. Amazon does not consistently stock them, and some of the 3rd party sellers are charging high prices and/or high shipping. So, check the Amazon link, but watch out for the prices and shipping costs.

It would be nice if you could just buy them elsewhere, but many of the online pool stores are listing Pleatco or other Asian made low quality filters, as "Unicel C-4607 type" or "fits Unicel C-4607". So shop carefully!

Here are the Amazon links:

Unicel C-4607 Replacement Filter Cartridge (Easy Set Size A or C) @ Amazon
Unicel C-5315 Replacement Filter Cartridge for 15 Square Foot Intex B Filter @ Amazon

[aces3]

Would using a chemical like Metal Out help any??

I did order those filters. Thanks!

[Gracie]

I deal with this every year as I use our well water to bring the water back up to the right level after the winter. I have a sand filter and it takes 3 days to clear up after shocking the first time. I just use a little liquid floc in the filter and backwash once a day. The backwash water is always dark brown. It just takes time. I have a 10,000 gallon, 21 foot round in ground pool with a large sand filter.

[PoolDoc]

Would using a chemical like Metal Out help any??

Several companies call their products "Metal Out", but there are differing ingredients used. HEDP will help keep the iron in the water, so that it can be slowly filtered out. A combination of HEDP, polyquat, and low levels of chlorine can be used to start up with clear water, avoid algae, and gradually remove the iron that's kept 'hidden' in the water by the HEDP.

Virtually all 'Metal Out' like products do NOT get metals "OUT"; they just 'hide' them in the water, by temporarily keeping them in a soluble form. None are fully chlorine resistant, but some chemicals used break down almost instantly when chlorine is added. HEDP is the most effective and chlorine resistant chemical commonly available.

Regardless, you still eventually have to find a way to let the metal go to its insoluble form, and filter it out. the process of

1. Adding HEDP and polyquat as you fill;
2. Running your filter 24/7
3. Continuing to use polyquat for a couple of weeks, while keeping chlorine lower than the Best Guess chart suggests
4. NOT adding additional doses of HEDP, unless you add more water.
5. Gradually raising chlorine and pH levels

tends to filter the iron out, and avoid having so much land on the bottom.


Using polyquat during metal clean up accomplishes two things: it helps kill or prevent algae, letting you run lower chlorine levels, and it is a very good clarifier, that helps you filter out any small metal particles that may form.(Probably available from pool stores, and possibly some big box stores -- but you MUST learn to ID it correctly. See the polyquat page for more info.)

Kem-Tek 60% polyquat @ Amazon
Nava 60% polyquat @ Amazon

HEDP is a dissolved phosphonate product that is pretty chlorine stable, and very good at keeping dissolved metals IN the water, instead of ON your pool surfaces. It can lift recent stains, OR it can be used along with ascorbic acid, to keep the metals in the water, after the ascorbic acid is consumed by chlorine.

Jacks Magic The Pink Stuff 1qt (60% HEDP) @ Amazon
20% KemTek HEDP @ Amazon

You can also use the Culator product, which will continuously remove small amounts of DISSOLVED (soluble) metals, as they pass over the bag in the skimmer.

The CuLator product is a special patented plastic material, contained in a bag that goes into the skimmer, that slowly removes *dissolved* metals from water passing over the skimmer bag. This approach pretty much requires running your filter 24/7, since the bag ONLY removes metals from water that comes into direct contact with the bag. This product can also help if you fill SLOWLY via the skimmer, so the metals are removed from the incoming water. (Not likely to be available locally.)

1 ppm Culator @ Amazon
1.5 ppm Culator @ Amazon
4 ppm Culator @ Amazon
Vitamin C Crystals Ascorbic Acid 100% Pure Powder (to dissolve surface stains) multiple sizes @ Amazon
Poolmaster 16242 Poolmaster Skimmer Basket Liner @ Amazon (to protect CuLator from being damaged by scum)

[aces3]

I put a bottle of HTH Metal Control in it yesterday. Today it is crystal clear. It looks really nice! Of course I need to test the water now and I may need to shock it again so Ill have to keep a close eye on it now and see how it does.

It's been flooding here for days so we haven't been able to even think about getting in it yet.

[PoolDoc]

Do NOT shock! High levels of chlorine tend to drop the metals back out and ALSO break down most metal sequestrants.

Instead, put a chlorine tab in the skimmer: that way the metals that drop out, hopefully will do so upstream of the filter, and end up there instead of on your pool floor or walls.

One reason for the polyquat, while removing metals, is to get around the need to shock to prevent algae.

[aces3]

So for now I should add the polyquat and ONLY do the chlorine tabs?

I did test it and it shows its a bit low in chlorine but not much. I hate shocking it anyway so if you say not to I'm all for that!!

[PoolDoc]

I would say, do the polyquat, and try to maintain moderate to low chlorine with the tabs. If you NEED to boost chlorine, because levels are getting too low, add small doses of bleach or dichlor.

By the way, in general, it is never safe to add other chemicals over the top of tabs in the skimmer. Borax is the exception. You *can* add borax to the skimmer while tabs are there.