Reading this guide should help you to avoid color change in your pool. There are times when your swimming pool will change colors after adding chlorine or shocking your pool. The colors may vary from green, red, brown, purple or black. The reason behind this color change usually indicates the presence of minerals (metals) in your swimming pool. The chlorine added to the swimming pool oxidizes the metals and will cause a chemical reaction that becomes visible in your swimming pool.
1. While there are treatments that can be added to your pool to clear the problem, you may also want to find out what the source of the metals in your swimming pool. Metals in your pool water may come from several sources. If you water comes from a well, then you may want to check metal content in your well. City water may have traces of metals due to old rusty pipes that are going from your treatment center to your home. Other sources may be pumps, heaters, old copper piping and algaecides.
2. Once you have determined the source, you can now test for the type of metals in the pool. If you don't have the proper test kit, you can purchase one or take a water sample in to be tested.
3. In general, a greenish tint to the water usually indicates that your water may have either copper or iron. If it is a deep thick green and your water is starting to cloud up. There is probably an algae in your pool and you should follow these steps.
4. A red or brown tint to the water will usually indicate traces of iron in the water. Sometimes, it can be caused by maganese or copper.
5. A purple or black tint to the water points towards manganese. If you see black spots forming on the pool wall, you likely have black algae.
6. Once you have determined the source and type of stain, you can use a metal remover. Before using a metal remover, you will want to make certain that you read the instructions on the label.
7. After allowing the pump and filter to run for at least 12 to 24 hours, the discoloration should begin to clear. If the condition improves slightly, you may need an additional dose of the metal remover.
8. Once the water condition has improved, you can turn the pump and filter off. Brush down the walls and keep the pump and filter off for at least 12-24 hours to allow everything to settle.
9. After everything has settled, you can vacuum to waste to remove the debris from the swimming pool. Depending on the source of metals in your swimming pool, you may need to use a metal remover as a weekly maintenance to prevent any further discoloration of the water.
10. If the metals stained your pool's surface, you can use a stain remover to get rid of the stains.
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