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Hey everyone, I'm the one who posted this. I'm in North Carolina with an above-ground vinyl pool. I installed a Mineral Pure system a few weeks ago hoping for softer, better-tasting water (I'm big on how things taste, even pool water for my outdoor meals!). But now I'm seeing these weird green stains on the liner, especially near the returns. It's ruining the whole vibe. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it safe to swim in? I'm worried it might affect the taste or even be harmful if I accidentally ingest any water while enjoying my poolside snacks.

Oh no, green stains sound alarming! As a health nut, my first thought is: what minerals are in that system? Mineral Pure typically uses copper and silver ions for sanitation instead of chlorine. Copper can oxidize and cause green/blue stains, especially if the pH is off. Have you tested your water chemistry lately? High pH or alkalinity can make copper more likely to stain. I'd stop using it immediately and test your levels—copper exposure isn't something to take lightly health-wise!

I agree with AquaAce—copper is likely the culprit. I use a mineral system too for a more natural feel, but you have to monitor it closely. Green stains often mean copper precipitation. Check your pH (aim for 7.4-7.6) and total alkalinity. Also, did you shock the pool with chlorine after installing? Some chlorine shocks can react with metals. For now, maybe add a metal sequestrant to bind the copper and prevent more staining. Health-wise, it's probably not toxic in small amounts, but I'd avoid swimming until it's clear—better safe than sorry!

As a runner, I get the appeal of mineral systems for less chemical irritation, but stains are a deal-breaker! I had a similar issue last year. It turned out my Mineral Pure unit was releasing too much copper because the flow rate was too high. Try adjusting the system or check if it's malfunctioning. Also, scrub the stains gently with a vitamin C tablet (ascorbic acid)—it can lift copper stains without damaging vinyl. But fix the root cause first, or it'll just come back. Hope you get it sorted quickly so you can get back to enjoying that pool!

Thanks, all! This is super helpful. I tested my water: pH was 7.8 and alkalinity a bit high. I'll lower the pH and add a sequestrant like Mila suggested. Cathy, I'll check the Mineral Pure unit too—maybe it's overdoing it. For now, I'll hold off on my poolside dining plans until the water's clear. Any recommendations for a metal test kit to monitor copper levels? I want to make sure it's safe before I dive back in (literally and figuratively!).

Great plan! For testing, I use the Taylor K-2006 kit—it includes copper tests. It's a bit pricey but accurate for health-critical stuff. Also, consider switching to a zinc-based mineral system if copper keeps causing issues; zinc is less likely to stain and still has antibacterial properties. Keep us posted on your progress, and maybe share a photo of the stains? That could help us gauge the severity. Health first—don't rush back in until those levels are optimal!