It's no surprise that the pool store acts like you're crazy--look at the cost of what you're buying versus the cost of several gallons of bleach, and put yourself in their shoes!! You can see where this is goingalready, in that you have to add the cleaner to prevent the metals stains, when the metals are coming from the original product they told you to add!

At this point, I would test for a copper level--it could be that it's not yet high enough to cause you problems, or at least if you drain/refill part of the water, it can be brought under control before you get to the point of having to use the metals sequestrant. Once you have to use it, it is an ongoing thing--everytime you add water or want to shock it, you're going to have to use it, which is why it would be better to stop that problem before it occurs. You can read through the metals forum, especially by any post by mbar (the resident expert on metals and staining) and get an idea of what you're up against if you let the copper get too high before you convert to bleach, and decide if that's a route you want to take. I personally would drain the pool first. But anyway......

As far as the pool store warnings against bleach, it will not bleach your liner, as long as you control your levels (there's a "best guess" table sticky at the top of the chlorine forum to help). I have a liner pool, and not only isn't it bleached, but it's also crystal clear without the cost you have. It will not bleach your hair and nails. Green hair and nails comes from copper, not chlorine.

I think my next step would be to check the copper levels--unfortunately, you will need to get the pool store to check the levels, and they're probably not going to want to be straight with you. I would consider going to a different store for this test. Post the levels back, and that should give us an idea of where your water stands right now.

Janet