Water turned green after shock

[Virago1100]

I just started using chlorine this year. I changed from aqua silk products since I was always getting pink slime.
Opened the pool and it was crystal clear.
When I added the shock it went green but clear. The pool guy said I had the beginnings of algae and the shock did what it was supposed to do. He gave me sea klear clarifier. I have added almost the whole bottle and have been backwashing every two hours up to six times a day with no improvement.

I believe the cause is iron. From what I have read .2 PPM of iron is all it takes. I attached a picture of the pool and the walls. The walls look brown stained to me but I would like your opinion. I did just shock it again about two hours ago and the chemicals are as follows.

Fc 8.7
TCI 10
Alk 170
Ph 6.8
Hardness 250
With backwashing so much I must add more water and I believe that is why it is not clearing up.

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP!

I agree it’s likely iron. You might find Stains in Your Pool helpful.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Metals in the water turned your water emerald green. You may also have some algae based on your CC.

What test kit did those tests come from?

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[Virago1100]

I used two test strip kits. One was Insta-test 5+ It tests Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Alk, PH, Hardness. The second is an Aquachek Trutest meter. I like the meter since it gives a number. I have been fighting with this for days now. I used almost a whole bottle of seaklear natural clarifier. I used a whole bottle of HTH Pool Care Liquid Metal & Stain Control. Nothing has helped. I also have been backwashing, I just put new sand in prior to opening the pool. Please help!!!

 

[ajw22]

Test strip kits are worthless. You must get a good test kit - Taylor K-2006C or TFT Test Kits

Without good water chemistry data you are just flailing around in the dark.

Neither clarifier, which we do not recommend using, or metal control will fix an algae problem.

You need a good test kit and the SLAM Process to fix the algae problem.

Then you can work on the metals in your pool problem.

BTW, we recommend staying out of the Pool Store and not following their suggestions to spend your money.

Clarifier - Further Reading

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Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

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[Virago1100]

Just ordered the K-2006C and it will arrive Tuesday. Is there anything I can do while I am waiting? Are you sure it is an Algae problem? I did not see any debris floating in the pool, like dead brown algae. The sides and bottom were not slick either.

 

[PoolStored]

Is there anything I can do while I am waiting?

Add 3ppm of liquid chlorine per day while you are waiting.

Are you sure it is an Algae problem?

No, but the presences of CC, if your testing is to be believed, would imply algae...won't know until you get your test kit. Deal with the Algae first, then deal with any metals.

When you get your kit, post a full set of results, and perform this test. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
OCLT will tell you if you have algae...

 

[ajw22]

Pour 32 oz, about 1/4 gallon, of liquid chlorine in the pool daily.

Download PoolMath and read ...

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

One you get the test kit run a full set of tests and post the results here.

 

[Virago1100]

Any brand of liquid chlorine you recommend?

 

[PoolStored]

Walmart has this for a good price.

 

[Virago1100]

Can I still use the chlorine pucks and shockwave I purchased?

 

[PoolStored]

Can I still use the chlorine pucks and shockwave I purchased?

Use liquid chlorine for now. After we get test results, then let's talk about when and how to use them.

Pucks and shock (dry) contain CYA or Calcium. The only way to remove them is to replace water. It may be that your CYA & CH are already high. Best not to add them until we know where you are at...

 

[Virago1100]

I have been adding the liquid chlorine each day. Today this was floating in the the skimmer basket. It is orange and sticky. Never seen anything like it before. Any ideas as to what it is?

 

[PoolStored]

Frog egg ball?

 

[CreedenceTapes]

Walmart has this for a good price.

View attachment 578617

They'll also deliver it in many areas.

 

[Virago1100]

Test kit came early! Here are the results.
Free Chlorine - 7.6
Combined Chlorine - 5.2
PH - 7.4
Alk - 100
Calcium Hardness - 200
CYA - was off the scale, see picture

 

[PoolStored]

Do Bullet 8 here:

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Virago1100]

I filled it to the 30 mark and the dot is barely visible. So 60?

 

[PoolStored]

This is with dilution? Something is not adding up.

Explain to me in your words how you are doing the test. Both normal and diluted.

 

[Virago1100]

Normal
fill CYA bottle to 7ml with pool water, add 0013 to 14ml mark. shake for 30 seconds. add to small tube until black dot disappears.


Diluted
Fill the CYA bottle to 7ml with pool water. Fill to 14ml with tap water. Shake, dump to 7ml and add 0013 to 14ml. shake for 30 seconds
add to small tube until you can not see black dot.