Added 2# of Ascorbic Acid tonight

[gerri]

Added the 2# of AA and after an hour still had stains. Then it got dark so I couldn't see. I got in with a scrub brush and went around and around and around the edges scrubbing. My light is broken so I couldn't see if I was having any effect. Ph is 6.8 and I added sequesterant. I feel like crying.

[smallpooldad]

You first need to drop the chlorine to 0, yes Zero, or all the AA will do is eat the chlorine and not the stains.

pH to 7.0 for gunite, 7.2 for vinyl/fiberglass.

You will need 1 1/2 to 2 lbs of AA per 10,000 gals depending on how bad the stains are.

You also need to add immediately 1 bottle Algaecide 60 not 50 or below (per 10,000 gals) , they normally contain metals to prevent an algae bloom.

Also add immediately three/four bottles of Metal-Out (per 10,000 gals) or stain treat to put the metals in suspension or the will redeposit on your walls.

After 24 to 48 hours drain the pool and acid wash the walls (1 part acid to 3 parts water), once the pool has drained near to the bottom abou 1 ft. of water left. This removes stubborn calcium and algae stains. Spray the walls with water 30 seconds after you have acid washed them.

NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID ONLY ACID TO THE WATER OR IT COULD EXPLODE AND BLIND YOU.

ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND GOOGLES WHEN DOING THIS AND HAVE SOMEONE ON HAND TO SPRAY YOU WITH WATER IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS

BE VERY CAREFUL TO ADD SODA ASH TO the little pool water (1 ft.) that is left before acid washing to NEUTRALIZE THE EFFECTS of the acid water or you could burn out the bottom of your pool.

2/4 medium-size saucepans full of soda ash should do it.

If you have a vinyl pool you may need to do exactly the same treatment using Oxalic acid as the stains are of a different nature.

If this does not work you may have tannin stains. Then raise the chlorine to 20 ppm (gunite pool), 15 ppm (vinyl pool), and maintain for 4 days this should help dissolve them.

[gerri]

Thanks for the information.

My chlorine was at 0 before I started.

I have a fiberglass pool and unfortunately they say I void my warranty if I ever drain it :( so draining to acid wash doesn't seem to be an option.

I'm so disgusted and defeated. I know they are metal stains because rubbing with a vitamin C tab helps remove them, the problem is the staining is ALL OVER... so it would take a year to rub the whole pool with tablets.

[waterbear]

let it filter for about 24 to 48 hours and see if it lightens the stains....grab that bottle of POP (pool owner patience) and dose yourself liberally!

[gerri]

waterbear,

oh my, I think I'm out of POP right now.. where can I order some and how long will it take to get here???? :D

I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens next. And of course I'll be back to whine some more. ;)

Gerri

[gerri]

Today as far as I can tell, here is where I am with this saga:

Water is like milk but as far as I can tell probably 85% of the staining is gone or at least faded to a tolerable level. The stubborn stains just under the water line remain, maybe a little faded but for the most part unfazed.

Pump is still running.

[waterbear]

Cloudy water is normal at this point....Just keep dosing yourself with POP until the stains are gone!

[mbar]

gerri, keep the filter running 24/7 - put a skimmer sock on the skimmer - it will help filter out the cloudiness. Keep the ph low, and let the continuing filtering water with all the sequesterant and aa do it's job. When your water is clear, and you still have some staining, you can take a very fine sand paper, like a pf 400 and sand the stains. The guys that came to re-gelcoat the top of my pool used this to clean the waterline. It won't hurt anymore than using a cleaner that has some abrasives in it. I tried it on a small stain that I had and it took it right off. Don't lose hope, I know it must be sooooo frustrating. If the water doesn't seem to be getting any clearer in a couple of days - turn the filter off at night and vacuum to waste any sediment that falls to the bottom. I'm rooting for you!

[gerri]

I am gaining hope! The sandpaper trick at the end may be just what my pool requires...

Thank you guys for all your help. I wish there was some way I could repay you for your time and patience with me.

I will have more questions when it's time to add chlorine. I am wondering how often I can go out and add about 2 cups of bleach. I know it will take a lot of bleach to get rid of the aa when it is time.

Thanks again!!!

[waterbear]

The biggest repayment will be telling us that your pool is free of stains!....Hang in there....you're doing great!

[gerri]

Marie & Waterbear,

Guess what?:D As far as I can tell I'm stain free!!!!!

Well, I may be premature in saying completely stain free, the water is still a bit cloudy so there may still be some of the brown monster remaining.

Here is a pic today

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/072006/images/IMG_0105.jpg

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/072006/images/IMG_0106.jpg

Excuse the clutter and messy landscaping. I have some more work to do for my son's 2nd birthday (pool) party next week! The past two years the pool wasn't used all that much because of horrid pregnancy and then last year he was a little too small to really enjoy it.. but this year watch out. We are loving it.

My staining was making my water look brown.. I think when I get this cleared it will be bahama blue!! I'm so happy, it's like having the pool new again.


Thank you Thank you THANK YOU for ALL of your help!!!! :D

PS - For reference here is what it looked like after the inital treatment with oxalic acid:

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/062206/images/IMG_0009.jpg

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/062206/images/IMG_0003.jpg

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/062206/images/IMG_0013.jpg

[mbar]

Yeah!! What a cute little boy! Your pool it beautiful too. Just keep the filter running, your water should clear up soon. I can see the blue already!

[waterbear]

Isin't it amazing at how well a big bottle of POP works!:D
You did a great job! One more dose of POP and your pool will be clear!

[gerri]

:D Water is clearing as we speak. I may need to backwash the filter tonight or tomorrow and I will add the DE back in after. The party is on the 29th, next Saturday. I'm confident my water will be sparkling by then.

Thank you both again :)

The pictures of my little boy in the pool represent the 2 things I always wanted my whole life ;) Both are a handful.. LOL Thanks for your nice comments.