Greenish brownish water. Don't think it is algae. Nothing has worked. Need help

[Carusoswi]

I have had this pool since 1987. Never any major problems. This season, she has turned greenish brown. Had my water tested at pool store, they tell me the copper level is high (0.6). They have had me try a powder metal "remover" and a couple of drop-in pods that I put in the skimmer. No effect on my water.

I am growing increasingly frustrated. Any suggestions welcome. I've never experienced this sort of problem before.

Thanks.

Caruso

 

[zea3]

The only way to get rid of copper is to drain and replace with copper free water. That being said copper usually doesn't turn water brown. Did they test for iron? Do you use well water or does your city use well water? Try placing some pillow stuffing in your skimmer and see it you can capture the brown sediment coloring the water. Also please post a current set of test results.

 

[Carusoswi]

The only way to get rid of copper is to drain and replace with copper free water. That being said copper usually doesn't turn water brown. Did they test for iron? Do you use well water or does your city use well water? Try placing some pillow stuffing in your skimmer and see it you can capture the brown sediment coloring the water. Also please post a current set of test results.

Thanks for the reply, Zea3
Test results:
Free Chlorine 15ppm (flagged as high, and probably because of recent shock)
Total Chlorine 15ppm
PH 7.6
Total Alkalinity 56
Calcium Hardness 345
Cyanuric Acid 72
Iron 0.1
Copper 0.6
Phosphates 232
TDS (I don't know what this is) 1100

The report flags Free Chlorine Tltal Alkalinity, Copper, and Phosphates as items needing attention.

I didn't mean to imply that the water or any sediment is brown, it's actually closer to yellow/green. Local pool store attributes the problem to copper in the water (I have no idea, so not challenging your statement on the matter). What I do know is that their suggestions and products purchased from them to correct the issue have not been effective.
I will attempt to capture some sort of residue (not certain where to get pillow stuffing, would a skimmer sock work?

Thanks again for your reply.

BTW, is there a delay in posts showing up in the forum? I only found this post and your reply from a section listing recent posts, otherwise, I would still be searching for my original poast.

Caruso

 

[zea3]

Usually there will be a little number on the bell on the upper right hand corner of the screen if anyone has responded to a thread where you have posted anything. If that is not showing up check to see if notifications are turned on in your account settings.

You can use a skimmer sock to try and catch any debris or sediment. I don't doubt you have copper in your water. I was looking at the title of your thread, as greenish brown water is usually from iron. We look at the common stuff first to try and rule it out. Iron can be fairly common and it is easy to identify in most situations. Since I can't put eyes on your pool I make deductions based on what is reported, so no worries if what I say doesn't line up with what you see. We keep at it til we find the answer. So if it is copper and not iron the skimmer sock won't catch anything much. You may need to complete the SLAM Process to clear your pool, but the copper should be dealt with first.

As for the copper. It doesn't occur naturally in the water, so have you been using a copper based algaecide, mineral pack, or do you have a heater with a copper heat exchanger?

 

[Donldson]

Can you post up a couple of pictures of the water? A few extra eyes might help figure out the possibilities.

I don't suppose you have your own test kit you can post test results from, do you? I wouldn't trust pool store test results if William Taylor vouched for them personally.