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

[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.

[aces3]

Thanks so much for all your help!!

[aces3]

Wow, our filters are turning a deep dark muddy brown now. I'm assuming that means its filtering the iron out of the water??

Right now I'm changing my filter 3-4 times a day and pumping 24/7. Is that the best course of action?

Any idea how long it might take before the filters aren't so gross looking anymore?

[PoolDoc]

Wow, our filters are turning a deep dark muddy brown now. I'm assuming that means its filtering the iron out of the water??

Coffee-brown, instead of orange-y-brown? If so that's manganese -- very tough to deal with. If it is manganese, we'll be lucky if you don't end up with brown stains on your pool. Assuming that you have no plans for a new water supply any time soon, I'd recommend the following:

How long? Dunno. However long it takes.

1. Get a K2006 kit ASAP
2. Stock up on polyquat (www.poolsolutions.com/polyquat.html). Don't use it now; just get it. 4 quarts would be good.
3. Stock up on HEDP -- 2 quarts of Pink Stuff or 4 of the KemTek product.
4. Order new Unicel cartridges from Amazon -- you'll want 3, so you can always have an extra clean one on hand.
5. We'll get your pool running for now, but you'll probably want to do some testing to see if there's a better way, possibly using a PAA or alum floc.
6. You'll need a vacuum system. Do you have one now?

Products for metal control and clean-up:

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

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

+ 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]

Couple questions: I had cleared it up and then the color turned again.

Now its finally clear again and my filters look good also.

Questions: we are using the vacuum that came with it, the one you
Hook up to the water hose. Is that vacuum and water hose adding of my well water to my pool to make the water turn again? Like could it be adding even more iron ore and metals?

Second: we have a sand pump. Would that work better than the little filter/pump that came with the pool?

Third: should I get the vacuum hose that hooks up to the pump instead of the water hose?