1. Cant Shock w/o getting Iron Stains & 2. Sodium Bicarb Making Water Milky

[kimray]

Hi All! New Member here. I have consulted several "pool experts" in my area and get different answers, none of which are resolving my issue so hopefully someone here can lead me right

So, I have an above ground pool. Small 15' round that holds about 5300g gallons. I have had the pool for about 5 years now with no problems really...until last summer & this summer. Now all of a sudden I have all this copper and cannot get rid of it!
Not well water, city water. So nothing about the water has changed over the years. Anyhoo.. problems started last year, but I will just get into this year since the past is gone LOL!
In a nut shell, I cannot shock my pool anymore. Even 1/2 lb of shock brings the copper out. I get major staining and discolored water. I have used stain remover twice, and probably about 4 or 5 bottles of copper sequestrant (Jacks Magic brand as I LOVE their products) already this season. They work beautifully! Water is crystal clear again in a couple of days!
Then I need to shock and it starts all over again...
So basically I am spending an additional $70 every time I shock my pool for products to remove the metals.
Now... one water test from a pool store said my levels are so high there wasn't enough product to remove it and I should drain my pool (did drain it.. didn't help), another water test from a different pool store said there was barely any copper at all, so low they would say zero copper... However I don't even need a test to tell me I have copper.. I can see it.
So, a pool "expert" who I feel like may be fairly knowledgeable, tells me that the 4 or 5 bottles of sequestrant I have used so far just simply may not be enough yet as they can only remove so much.

What I am needing to know is
1). if the above statement is true, how much sequestrant can I possibly need for one small 5300 gallon pool???? and
2). more importantly, how do I stop this cycle of shock, metal control, shock, metal control?? Algae is another issue where I am (trees, humidity etc.) so I have to shock regularly.
I am just so over it...

 

[Sunnydaze]

Jack's doesn't actually remove copper from the water. It just binds to it to prevent it from staining. Only way to completely remove it is to drain/replace the water. Then find out where the copper is coming from. Do you use algaecide? Ionizers? Any tabs labeled with "blue?" Heater?

 

[mknauss]

I should drain my pool (did drain it.. didn't help),

Welcome to the forum.
City water does not contain copper. How is it getting into your pool?

 

[tim5055]

Common sources of copper -

Algecides

Shock/tabs labeled with "Blue" or "Blu" in the name

Heaters damaged by unbalanced water

As Marty asked, where is it coming from? Give us a list of all your equipment and how you maintain the pool. All products you use.

 

[kimray]

I have tried Clorox test strips, Accucheck strips, and the ones from a pool store. None of them EVER change colors on anything (except occasionally the Chlorine), even when a water test say I have high levels of something, the strips never register anything. Not sure how it is possible that every brand I try doesn't work at all...
Can someone recommend a test that actually works, is fairly accurate and doesn't cost an arm and a leg??
thanks!

 

[kimray]

Jack's doesn't actually remove copper from the water. It just binds to it to prevent it from staining. Only way to completely remove it is to drain/replace the water. Then find out where the copper is coming from. Do you use algaecide? Ionizers? Any tabs labeled with "blue?" Heater?

Algaecide, rarely. Ionizers, no. nothing blue, no heater.
I have drained and refilled already. Cooper shows right back up at first application of shock. City water and never did this previously

 

[kimray]

Welcome to the forum.
City water does not contain copper. How is it getting into your pool?

dang good question!!

 

[kimray]

Common sources of copper -

Algecides

Shock/tabs labeled with "Blue" or "Blu" in the name

Heaters damaged by unbalanced water

As Marty asked, where is it coming from? Give us a list of all your equipment and how you maintain the pool. All products you use.

Its a small intex pole frame pool. Nothing fancy. Stairs and skimmer are the only items in the pool and they are 100% plastic. I know the "blue" tabs you speak of, I don't use them. No Heater. Literally nothing that I can think would cause it. Pool has been drained completely dry and refilled.. Its still there. A soon as I shock, the new water the first time, BAM!! Copper!!

 

[kimray]

Jack's doesn't actually remove copper from the water. It just binds to it to prevent it from staining. Only way to completely remove it is to drain/replace the water. Then find out where the copper is coming from. Do you use algaecide? Ionizers? Any tabs labeled with "blue?" Heater?

Ok well put it back in solution rather I would be fine with that if it would stay there!. What's curious, is that this is new issue. I have been using the same shock/tabs for the last 5 years and never had this issue until last year. Same Pool, Same equipment, same city water, etc etc...

 

[kimray]

My other issue is Ph..
I added about 2lbs trying to get my Ph up. Water got a little cloudy, so I didn't add anymore. Filter cleared it up in a few days.
Well now a pool guy tells me my Ph and alkalinity are 0 and I need to add 8 lbs. So I did. Yes in a slurry. Now I have milk instead of water.
Having to Floc and hope that clears it up. The Ph can stay low LOL, I bet I NEVER add that again!!

So why does that happen? And how to get the Ph correct without this issue?

 

[P3Jason]

TF-100 Test Kit ™. It will pay for itself in short order.

 

[P3Jason]

A Ph of 0? do not trust anything this pool guy tells you! Get your own test kit and test you water yourself. TF-100 Test Kit ™

 

[kimray]

TF-100 Test Kit ™. It will pay for itself in short order.

thanks! I definitely want to invest one day, but anything a wee bit cheaper? I have spent so much this year fighting my ongoing copper and algae issue that this is a bit steep for me at the moment.

 

[HermanTX]

I have tried Clorox test strips, Accucheck strips, and the ones from a pool store. None of them EVER change colors on anything (except occasionally the Chlorine), even when a water test say I have high levels of something, the strips never register anything. Not sure how it is possible that every brand I try doesn't work at all...
Can someone recommend a test that actually works, is fairly accurate and doesn't cost an arm and a leg??
thanks!

If you have been reading various posts on this forum, then it will come as no surprise that no one believes in test strips or pool store tests (done for free)
To be accurate in your chemistry you need a good test kit. See Test Kits Compared which are the 2 kits recommended.
Both are around $100 if you get the basic kits. Not sure if that exceeds your "arm and a leg".
It is just a very small cost compared to the cost of having a algae infested or worst pool.

 

[P3Jason]

thanks! I definitely want to invest one day, but anything a wee bit cheaper? I have spent so much this year fighting my ongoing copper and algae issue that this is a bit steep for me at the moment.

The price is far less than the cost adding unneeded chemicals based on untrustworthy test results.

 

[kimray]

If you have been reading various posts on this forum, then it will come as no surprise that no one believes in test strips or pool store tests (done for free)
To be accurate in your chemistry you need a good test kit. See Test Kits Compared which are the 2 kits recommended.
Both are around $100 if you get the basic kits. Not sure if that exceeds your "arm and a leg".
It is just a very small cost compared to the cost of having a algae infested or worst pool.

Its a bit more than I was hoping for honestly, although I may not have a choice at this rate
I mean I literally have not been in the pool for 2 seasons due to issues. Its either green (algae) or terra cotta orangey (copper). I get one issue solved then the other comes and so on. I almost ready to take a good kitchen knife to the whole pool and just be done! LOL

 

[kimray]

The price is far less than the cost adding unneeded today on yet chemicals based on untrustworthy test results.

Point taken.. as I literally just dropped another $85 today on yet another round of copper treatment (2nd time this week)
Sigh.......

 

[P3Jason]

Its a bit more than I was hoping for honestly, although I may not have a choice at this rate
I mean I literally have not been in the pool for 2 seasons due to issues. Its either green (algae) or terra cotta orangey (copper). I get one issue solved then the other comes and so on. I almost ready to take a good kitchen knife to the whole pool and just be done! LOL

Well, you’re in the right place to get you right. It’ll take some time and effort at first, but if you follow the advice of the experienced folks on this forum, you will end up with a pool clearer (and safer) than you’ve likely ever seen.

 

[HermanTX]

Point taken.. as I literally just dropped another $85 today on yet another round of copper treatment (2nd time this week)
Sigh.......

You might want to start another post to discuss the copper issue. Are you on well water? Have you added chemicals that have added copper? We have some very knowledgeable experts on copper issues that could help. See below for starters.

Copper in Pool Water - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Bperry]

Point taken.. as I literally just dropped another $85 today on yet another round of copper treatment (2nd time this week)
Sigh.......

Almost guaranteed all the pool store stuff they were selling you wasn’t needed. And the stuff you do need cane be purchased much cheaper from places like Walmart or Home Depot. Are you using algaecides with copper in them or do you have an idea where the copper is coming from? Copper and iron are the only tests what TFP recommends getting done at a pool store.