I have a 2500 gal pool that was filled with well water and is now brownish orange. How do I clear it up?
Answers:
Depends on a couple of things. Was the water clear when you filled it, or was it brownish orange to start with? Did you treat the water with any chemicals after filling the pool? How long did it take for it to turn colors? What kind of filter are you running?
Sounds like a good dose of chlorine shock, and algaecide as a start, but I would recommend contacting a local pool supply company and checking with them. I would stay away from 'big store' retail outlets for pool chemicals and go with a local professional pool place - sure it may be a couple of $$ more, but the quality of the chemicals as well as the quality of service will more than pay for itself over time. Most pool places will also check the water for you and recommend what chemicals you need. The chemicals can be different depending on where you are located, local water quality, etc.
Good Luck!
Other answers:
Drain it and start all over, it is contaminated, and WILL make anyone that swims in it sick!!
Drain it and start all over, it is contaminated, and WILL make anyone that swims in it sick!!
it needs to be shocked, you need to go to a pool center and get the proper chemicals to clear it up
Depending on how bad it is (I'd take a sample of it with you and ask someone at the store where you buy chemicals) there is a treatment called a shock treatment. It is expensive but usually costs less than draining the pool (risking structural damage) and starting over (and still possibly leaving some ick behind).
Anyway, ask where you buy the chemicals about shock treatment and the value of it versus other options.
Before you do anything have a sample tested for metals-- iron etc. A pool store can do this for you. You may have to treat for metals first. Once removed, then you can proceed with adjusting alkalinity and pH and chlorine. But get those metals OUT before you do anything!
If the water is brown but still clear enough to see down to the bottom, then you have a metal problem in the water.
You should make sure your PH level is in range 7.2-7.6, and your Alkalinity shoud be between 80-120. You need to purchase a metal remover from your local swimming pool supply store. Most metal removers WILL NOT Work if you have a chlorine level in the water, However, there are some that will work as long as your chlorine reads lower than 3.0ppm, and this is the best one to get if you have any chlorine in your pool. I know of one called "Metal Magic", and you use one quart per 10,000 gallons; so need 2.5 quarts (You'll have to buy 3 bottles cause they only come in quart size and you can go ahead and just use the whole 3 quarts). You would add this to your pool while running your pool's filter and filter 24 hrs/day for like 3 days. You should notice each day that it is getting better. And for the duration of the metal treatment, you must still not let your chlorine level rise above the level stated on the back of the bottle.
Unfortunately, you will probably continue to have the same problem any time you have to add more than a few inches of fresh water to your pool. So, just remember not to dump a whole lot of chlorine into the pool until you get the metals out.