Metal Troubles

[Swimswam]

We have a concrete pool we emptied in the spring so we could have it repainted. This is the first time we've done this since moving into this house. After it was painted, we refilled the pool with well water. We had always topped off the pool with well water and had relatively few problems, so we didn't realize that filling the entire pool with well water would be a problem. When I threw the first two bags of shock into the pool, within a couple of hours the entire pool was dark orangish brown. I immediately called our pool store, and they said it sounded like metals, and we should bring a sample in. When we brought the sample in, they tested the water and they said the water didn't have anything other than a tiny amount of copper registering when they tested it. They suggested we try using a few gallons of nonchlorine shock. When I added the nonchlorine shock (27% hydrogen peroxide) the pool immediately turned clear. The nonchlorine shock was much more expensive than the chlorine shock, of which we had just bought an entire case. So we asked the people at the pool store if we would be able to return to using the chlorine shock, and they were unsure. So we tried it the next week, and surprise, surprise, the pool turned dark brown again. I went back to the pool store and bought another gallon of the nonchlorine shock, and the pool cleared up again. Of course, this didn't solve our problem. We could use a metal kit, but from what I have read, that doesn't promise to solve the problem. Do we need to empty the pool and have it refilled by a service? And if we do, can we top off the pool with well water when needed? Would a filter for the hose be helpful? I'm at a loss. I don't want to switch to the much pricier nonchlorinated shock that the pool store is suggesting, because that doesn't really solve our problem. I would really appreciate feedback. Thanks!

[Watermom]

Hi and welcome to the Pool Forum! I'm going to ask PoolDoc to look at your thread.

[Swimswam]

I just wanted to follow up and say that the last thing I had tried was throwing one bag of shock in the pool, and it immediately turned brown again. I took a sample to the pool store, and they said just a tiny amount of copper again. I bought some intensive metal treatment, which I have added to the pool. My plan is to let the treatment filter through for 24 hours and then I will vacuum the pool and change the sand in the filter, since it is due to be changed anyway. Does this make sense? Also, if by some miracle this does work, what do I do about topping off with well water? Won't that just put the metals right back in?