Green pool due to chemical reaction

[Lct315]

Hello,
I have a 16x34 vinyl liner inground pool, sand filter. Our pool heater broke and put copper in the pool causing extensive staining. The pool liner is less than 2 years old. My pool store had me balance my pool and then try various stain removers and nothing worked although the copper has been removed. As a last resort tonight I tried a product called stain away. Before my eyes my pool turned green.

Now I have a very green pool and a stained liner. What do I need to do to first get the water back to normal and second remove the stains? At this Point I really want my water back to normal so we can use the pool as soon as possible.

Thank You

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Is your water cloudy green or clear green? Could you post a current set of test results? I'm especially interested in the current pH level.

 

[Lct315]

Hello, the water is clear green but a dark green and the PH this evening was 7.2 and Alk was around 80. The chlorine levels were zero as per the instructions they needed to be as close to zero as possible.

 

[zea3]

Is it the In The Swim brand of Stain Free?

 

[Lct315]

No, the brand is Natural Chemistry Stain Free extra strength

 

[zea3]

Do you know your current CYA level?

 

[Lct315]

I don’t recall the number but it came up in normal range.

 

[zea3]

Is it below 50ppm as far as you remember?

 

[Lct315]

I think it was over that in the 60’s I think. Do you know how I can get the green coloring out? That’s my main concern right now and then I’ll worry about the stains later.

 

[zea3]

I'm trying to troubleshoot based on the information you have given me, I am also asking for some others to take a look at your thread and see if they have any advice to offer. I don't want to give wrong advice that will not be helpful.

 

[Lct315]

Great, Thanks! I’ll try anything first thing tomorrow AM as I’m panicking. I thought the stains were bad and now this, UGH!

 

[JamesW]

Had the TA been zero previously?

Do you have a picture?

What color were the copper stains?

Can you give a more detailed timeline of all chemistry, what problems you had, a description of what was added and what happened including stain colors etc?

 

[Lct315]

The TA was never zero. No pics, sorry. The stains are like a grey/brown and scattered about the pool. The pool store gave me conquest to remove the copper which brought it down to .2 and then a stain remover, sorry i don’t recall the name, nothing seemed to work. I dumped shock directly on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes and it lightened slightly but not much. I did this last week. Then I tried the stain away tonight and it instantly turned the pool green. Looking to clear the green up first and then I’ll go back to the staining.

 

[JamesW]

How did the heater break?

How old is the heater?

Why do you think that it's copper in the water?

What was done to balance the water?

What filter do you have?

If it's a cartridge filter, can you remove the cartridge and take a picture of it and a picture of the pool?

 

[needsajet]

I'm just wondering, are you desperate because of an upcoming pool party?

Maybe a simple option would be to exchange the water. What about putting a garden hose in the bottom (cold water), keeping the water still otherwise, and pumping to waste from the skimmer? If there's 15 degrees difference between the colder incoming water and the pool water, it should layer quite well, assuming this is not a saltwater pool. Within 24 hours or so, the water would be exchanged, for maybe $100. Come up with a plan for chlorination and pH balance for the party, then tackle the stains and water balance after the party, and with a recommended test kit in hand. Just an option to consider.

 

[Lct315]

Is exchanging the water the only option? Are there any chemicals I can use to counter the reaction without a water exchange? I would prefer to not exchange if possible. Thanks

 

[Lct315]

Here is the staining before the pool turned green. This was when staining first started. More stains now. Right now I’m more concerned with clearing the green pool. Please help.

 

[needsajet]

No, exchanging the water is not the only option, by any means.

You'll need to review JamesW's post and answer the questions he asked. More information is needed in order to solve your water treatment problem.

I also suggest you add a signature, which will show up on each of your posts. The instructions are found in 'read before posting' which is linked in my signature below. Take a look at the way to post water test results as well. Those tips will enable you to get the best possible answers here.

 

[Lct315]

The heat exchanger broke and put copper in the water. The copper level was 3.9 and caused staining. Pool store tested water and confirmed this. They had me add something called conquest and it brought the copper down to .2. Then they had me add a stain remover, I don’t recall the name, but it did nothing. Then I poured powder shock on the stains to lighten them because we were having a party on the 4th. After the party I let the chlorine drop so I could add stain free. Last night I added the stain feee and the pool turned green in 5 minutes. Stains seem to still be their. Chlorine is zero, ph was 7.2, alk around 80. I don’t have any other info. Trying to avoid calling pool store this AM so hoping this forum could help as I know it will cost a fortune if I get them involved. Party on Saturday. Thanks

 

[aussieta]

heat exchanger broke and put copper in the water does not make sense to me
if the ph was very low for a long time it can gradually dissolve the exchanger, but a sudden break will not add any copper to the system
how do you normally chlorinate and how do you test and do you have test history results