Swimming pools blog

Ask for a small sample of Ascorbic Acid powder or use a Vitamin C
tablet. Place the tablet or the sample powder directly over a small
stain area (perhaps a step) with the pump circulation off. If the
stain around the “test” area is removed within a couple of hours,
this indicates that the stain will likely respond to our metal stain
removal treatment.
Some stains can be caused by organics from plants and leaves. Such
stains require a different treatment. Like metal stains, some organic
stains can be “embedded” and cannot be removed by a chemical treatment
Metals in the water, such as iron and copper, may “plate out” on to
the pool’s surface to form a stain. Most stains occur when any, or a
combination of the following factors takes place: (1) High metal
content in the water, (2) Raising the pH or Total Alkalinity, and/or
(3)Shocking with chlorine.
The best prevention for stains is proper water balance (pH, Total

Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness), using White Lightnin’ as your shocking
agent and adding a prevention dose of Metal-X on a weekly basis.
A pool that has had a metal stain is like a magnet to get it again.
Treatment for it you can try this…
Add 1 quart of a Super Metal Remove for each 12,000 gallons of pool
water. Operate pool as usual, but do NOT shock for one week. Pool may
have some slight cloudiness as the chemicals begin to work.
Allow 24-48 hours for results to occur.
After 48 hours, slowly adjust pH to between 7.2 and 7.4 Add no more
than 1# of pH Increaser every 6 hours. (The stain may become worse as
your pH increases into the proper range. Unfortunately, this may be
unavoidable.
If the results are good, but some staining remains, do either of the
following:
A. Add 1 more quart of a Super Metal Remove for each 20,000
gallons…. Or
B. Add 1 bottle of Stain-Off per 20,000 gallons as per instructions.
If stains remain, try this this.
Ultra-Remove is one of the strongest stain removal chemicals,I know
of, Although this product’s ascorbic acid formulation is very safe
for use, it causes chlorine to be “absorbed” for weeks, thereby
making it difficult to maintain the pool’s normal sanitation and
clarity. Cloudy water and algae growth can result after using this
product. Please work with a pool store if you do this.
Turn system “off”and allow water to still. Add 2lbs of Ultra Remove
for each 20,000 gal of pool water. Turn system “on” after 6 hours.
Some stains CANNOT be removed.Keep this in mind.This is one of the
worse things I see that can happen to a pool and its owner.
IF Stains Are Removed
Stain producing metals may still exist in the water! Maintain the pH
between 7.3 and 7.7 at all times.
To remove metals that may cause future staining, add SeaKlear 4-in-
1as follows:Your pool supply should carry this product or something
like it.
A. Initial dosage of 16 oz. per 10,000 gals.
B. Weekly add 8 oz. per 10,000 gals.
C. Have metal content tested in 3 weeks by a pool store.
Monitor chlorine level closely. Maintain a chlorine level of 1.5-2.0
ppm by adding chlorine VERY SLOWLY using tablets through skimmer or
chlorinator.
After 1 week, you may resume your weekly shock. Use ONLY White
Lightnin’ as your shocking agent. Do NOT use a chlorine based shock.
Or get a new liner.This is not a subject where someone can tell you
to use this and that and it will fix it.Its a Try and See thing.
Good Luck.