Brown Sludge Well Water - White Socks and Vitamin C is the answer!

[PoolDoc]

Sorry it took so long to mod this in -- we're very careful about letting people recommend specific products, and this was one I hadn't heard of. After checking out their product website:
http://www.cleanerpools.net/slimebag.php
I think it sounds interesting.

If you purchase one of these, I'd really, really like to hear how it works out. You may want to read the website, to make sure you understand the differences between the two. I wouldn't use the X-tra unit, till 100% of the algae is dead.

[tina411]

Please, no apologies needed. I'm just grateful that you all are here and are responding. I'm getting more info from this site than I've gotten during the last 3 years searching other sites and talking with sales people at the pool stores. I should also say the information here is quite helpful too. If I use this product I will be sure to share my results. I also got some great products to try from my first post I made yesterday about metal products.

I have used a pre-filter before. It's called EcoOne Pre-filter and it claims to dissolve heavy Metals, Lime, Scale, Organic Contaminants among other things. The filter itself should have been good for two pool fills. I had a smaller pool last year ...less than 4000 gallons and it was supposed to be good for up to 8000. You attach it to the end of the garden hose. Big waste of money for me. First time chlorine hit my pool water got the green then the brown.

[PoolDoc]

It's called EcoOne Pre-filter and it claims to dissolve heavy Metals, Lime, Scale, Organic Contaminants among other things. . . . . Big waste of money for me.

I've pretty well concluded that ANY swimming pool product with the letters "Eco" in the name is a rip-off! There might be a few exceptions, but they aren't coming to mind at the moment.

[SMcCann]

Hi All, I found a bulk, powdered, Vitamin C (Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid Powder). I will be switching to this from the tablets when the tablets are all gone. The bulk powder won't have the additives they use to make the tablets. Also, I can measure the amount I want to add easier.

This is a 5 pound container on Amazon for $27.91 on 6/4/2012. Shipping to me in North Carolina was only $2.49. Less than the cost of gas round trip to town.

NOW Foods Citric Acid Powder Bulk, 5 Pound Tub

[PoolDoc]

Hi SMC;

The only problem with your "Ascorbic Acid" (vitamin C) is that it's "Citric Acid" (lemon juice acid)!

You can use citric acid for metal clean up; some pool chemical companies sell it for that purpose. But, it's not as effective as ascorbic acid. However, with the larger dose it may well work very well for you. Keep in mind that neither citric or ascorbic acid are chlorine compatible -- chlorine rapidly destroys both. Also, the by-products formed when chlorine breaks down citric acid are better not breathed -- so don't swim once you begin re-chlorinating, till you've held a chlorine residual for a few hours.

And . . . if you'll use polyquat while your are using the citric, you won't have to worry about the pool getting algae. Polyquat is compatible with BOTH chlorine and citric acid, so you can begin adding it while you are letting your chlorine levels drop.

[SMcCann]

Thanks so much for clarifying the difference between Ascorbic Acid and Citric Acid. This has all been so confusing and stressful. I really appreciate your tips and cautions about combining Citric or Ascorbic Acid with Chlorine. I did additional research after your reply and found this Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C Powder - 11 pounds for $59.99 with shipping to me in North Carolina of just $1.89. That's just $5.63/pound.
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Powder USP Pharma Grade 11 Lbs

Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C is what got me the beautiful pool water we now enjoy. Thanks also for the tip about Polyquat!