Shocked pool, instantly turned orange... wth lol

[Aleforge]

So this season I have kept my crystal clear and have not had any issues yet. Today my chlorine level was low and it's been swam in all week, so I shocked it (PH was perfect). In about an hour the water turned orange. This has never happened before. Even if my levels are all over, it rains, algae starts building etc. I have only added a small amount of water the past few weeks, and we had a couple bought's of rain. Why did it turn orange? Iron? If so where did it come from? I am a bit confused as the past few years I have never had this issue.

Thanks

 

[JohnT]

Likely iron. Keep the pump going to filter out what you can. The iron can come from a well, old pipes, a tank truck or even from some fertilizers.

 

[pabeader]

Some folks have reported luck with paper towels in the skimmer, or the filler stuff like what goes in pillows. Make sure you check and replace it often, until the color goes away.

Your experience, is one of the reasons we never recommend 'shocking' a pool. You should always keep the proper amount of chlorine in the water in relation to the CYA level and you never have to 'shock'

 

[Richard320]

Deep orange, or more like this pool:

needs help. LOL

 

[pabeader]

"Interesting" color! In that post...

 

[Aleforge]

Holycrap, lol. No not that dark, although that kind of looks neat in a bad way. I dunno where the iron came from, I have never had it happen before. As far as leaking pipes I at the very least have not notice abnormal pool water loss. If you do have iron, does the chlorine make it show up?

SHOCKING! Ya I forgot the chemical FAQ area said not to do that, or will need to if you do a good job. Obviously I failed, my chlorinator is empty and I need more tablets. I appreciate all the responses!

 

[JohnT]

Holycrap, lol. No not that dark, although that kind of looks neat in a bad way. I dunno where the iron came from, I have never had it happen before. As far as leaking pipes I at the very least have not notice abnormal pool water loss. If you do have iron, does the chlorine make it show up?

SHOCKING! Ya I forgot the chemical FAQ area said not to do that, or will need to if you do a good job. Obviously I failed, my chlorinator is empty and I need more tablets. I appreciate all the responses!

Yes, chlorine can oxidize iron and make it change form and become visible.

 

[pabeader]

Holycrap, lol. No not that dark, although that kind of looks neat in a bad way. I dunno where the iron came from, I have never had it happen before. As far as leaking pipes I at the very least have not notice abnormal pool water loss. If you do have iron, does the chlorine make it show up?

SHOCKING! Ya I forgot the chemical FAQ area said not to do that, or will need to if you do a good job. Obviously I failed, my chlorinator is empty and I need more tablets. I appreciate all the responses!

OOPS!! I think you also may have missed the part where we talk about the negative effects of using tablets. Not terrible, just make sure you are watching your CYA level and increasing FC as the CYA increases.