Solved! How do I fix my clear black pool water?
Help! How do I fix my black pool water? Yikes! My pool water turned black! There are many reasons for the swimming pool water to turn black. We have the solution for your black pool water. If your water is bright clear black then you have high amounts of metal in your pool that needs to be removed ASAP!
If you CAN see the main drain in your swimming pool, you are on the right page. Follow the directions below.
If you CANNOT see the main drain then click here for help with Cloudy Black Pool Water.
Use our step-by-step guide for fixing clear black pool water below.
Items needed to fix your clear black pool water:
Mega Maintain Metal, Stain & Scale Control is a sequestering/chelating agent that holds stain-causing metals, like iron, copper, and manganese in suspension.
Rust and Iron Stain Remover reduces the suspended oxidized iron (rust) into its clear ionic form.
Copper Stain Remover reduces the suspended oxidized copper into its clear ionic form.
CuLator Ultra 4.0 removes and eliminates dissolved iron and other metals from the swimming pool.
Purchase our Stain Eliminator Kit and use the step-by-step instructions below to solve your black pool water problems!
Follow these directions step-by-step
Print off the Step-By-Step Guide Here.
Prior to starting this procedure read all instructions. Make sure to properly balance the pool and spa water, but the free chlorine level should be below 0.5 ppm. IMPORTANT: The pool should not be used until the procedure is completed and the pH is 7.2-7.8 and free chlorine level is between 1.0 ppm and 4.0 ppm.
Balanced Pool Water Guide: Free Chlorine: 1-4 ppm, Total Chlorine 1-4 ppm, Combined Chlorine 0, pH: 7.2-7.8, Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm, Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm, Cyanuric Acid (CYA) 30-50, Iron: 0 ppm, and Copper: 0 ppm.
Step 1.
First, balance the pool water and wait for the chlorine level to go below 0.5 ppm. This may take a few days.
Step 2.
Walk around the edge of the pool adding 1 quart of Mega Maintain Metal, Stain & Scale Control.
Step 3.
Walk around the edge of the pool adding 1 bag of Rust and Iron Stain Remover and 1 bag of Copper Stain Remover. This will both reduce the chlorine level to 0 ppm and help to remove the black or other color of the water.
Step 4.
Place the CuLator Ultra 4.0 into the pump basket. Run the circulation pump for 2 hours. It is best to use the pump basket because all the pool water flows through.
Step 5.
When the water is clear and colorless, start to slowly add chlorine (1/8 of a lb. of powdered chlorine or 1/4 gal. of liquid chlorine per hour, per 20,000 gal.) until the level reaches 1-4 ppm. The pool water may go cloudy*, which is normal, and may last a few days to several days. It may take a large amount of chlorine before the chlorine holds. Finish balancing the pool water and maintain a chlorine level between 1-4 ppm.
Important: After 12 hours, even if the water still has color, you MUST start to add chlorine until it holds at 1-4 ppm to avoid an algae bloom. Slowly add chlorine (liquid chlorine is preferred) to the pool. If you are using “pool shock” to add chlorine to the water, add no more than 1/8 of a 1 lb. per hour. If you over-chlorinate the pool, you risk staining your pool surface. Follow all steps for best results.
Keep the chlorine level between 1-2 ppm for 3-4 weeks. DO NOT OVER-CHLORINATE WITH LIQUID OR POWDERED CHLORINE OR SHOCK DURING THIS TIME. (If you allow the chlorine level to exceed 4 ppm the black water may return and surface staining may appear). Keep the filtration system running for a minimum of 12 hours per day until the water is clear.
*Note: The pool water may temporarily turn cloudy due to the chlorine removing excess Stain Removers. Once the excess Stain Removers are gone, the cloudiness will disappear, and you will be able to hold and measure chlorine in the pool water. This may take several days.
Purchase The Metal Stain Eliminator Kit to remove black pool water!
How can I prevent black pool water in the future?
It’s easy to prevent gross black water in the future. Simply keep your water balanced and chlorinated and use our Trifecta System.
- Pre-Filter source water with FillFast.
- Sequester any additional metals with Super Start-Up or Mega Maintain.
- Place a CuLator Ultra 4.0 in your pump basket.
Have Pool Surface Stains?
Remove metal stains with a Metal Stain Eliminator Kit!