A different kind of green water

[allif]

Hi all
We bought a "green" (literally) filter pad from our local hardware store to use as a prefilter, and it has leached dye
into our duck pond. We emptied all the water and hosed down the liner and rocks. Looked pretty clean so we added fresh water, and now the pond is green again. My guess is there's still dye on the rocks and liner, and with enoguh water changes it will eventually wash away. It doesn't seem to be harming the birds but we'd like to maybe speed the process.
How best to clean the liner and rocks without adding harsh chemicals that would be hard to clear away?
I had considered a scrub brush and bleach, which we've used before on a prefab pond but I think that might be too aggressive. Any suggestions? TIA!

 

[TheFishGuy]

Are you sure this is from a single filter pad? if so, why not remove the filter pad and get a pond safe one. I kind of doubt that it is from the filter pad.

 

[allif]

Are you sure this is from a single filter pad? if so, why not remove the filter pad and get a pond safe one. I kind of doubt that it is from the filter pad.

Yes, we're about 98% sure it's from the filter pad. It was a very unnatural green, and it started shortly after we added the pad.
We've already removed it and are running the water through a Matala Biosteps filter box now.

 

[Criscar]

Hi all
We bought a "green" (literally) filter pad from our local hardware store to use as a prefilter, and it has leached dye
into our duck pond. We emptied all the water and hosed down the liner and rocks. Looked pretty clean so we added fresh water, and now the pond is green again. My guess is there's still dye on the rocks and liner, and with enoguh water changes it will eventually wash away. It doesn't seem to be harming the birds but we'd like to maybe speed the process.
How best to clean the liner and rocks without adding harsh chemicals that would be hard to clear away?
I had considered a scrub brush and bleach, which we've used before on a prefab pond but I think that might be too aggressive. Any suggestions? TIA!

I wonder if it might not be worth a call to the manufacturer to see if they can tell you if whatever dye it was is safe for wildlife and aquatic animals. If it is safe, it will eventually filter out. Sorry you learned the hard way to only use products intended for fish/live aquatic setups, never use general hardware products.

 

[allif]

I wonder if it might not be worth a call to the manufacturer to see if they can tell you if whatever dye it was is safe for wildlife and aquatic animals. If it is safe, it will eventually filter out. Sorry you learned the hard way to only use products intended for fish/live aquatic setups, never use general hardware products.

That's an excellent idea, thank you!
And yes, lesson learned...

 

[Mmathis]

Is it a filter designated for use in a pond filter, or is it like an AC filter or a scrubber brush pad?

 

[allif]

Is it a filter designated for use in a pond filter, or is it like an AC filter or a scrubber brush pad?

I believe it was an AC filter