Metals or Algea?- Please Help

[Armytiger]

UPDATE: I ran the filter through the night and the water is clear with a slight hint of a "greenish brown" discoloration. I tested the water using a DPD test kit. (I'll be upgrading to a FAS-DPD soon) and my pH is still around 7.5 and cl is low. What is my next step? I know that I need to add cl should I use an inline chlorinator or should I drop a couple of 3" tablets in the skimmer? Based on the discholoration that I saw yesterday do I need to add another dose of metal free before adding cl? I've noticed a couple of small areas of algea forming on the walls as well. Should I sweep the pool and add an algea preventer? I have noticed that this site reccomends polyquat for algea prevention. Is polyquat a brand name or the base chemical that is in all agea preventers?

[CarlD]

Not sure I can answer all your questions...my knowledge of metals removing is limited.

PolyQuat is an ingredient used in SOME algaecides, but not all. It's better at preventing algae than killing it but is the best and only algaecide we recommend. It's all made by Buckman but it's sold under all kinds of names. I've seen it called Black Algaecide, Mustard Algae killer, etc.

But all you really need to care about is that the ONLY active ingredient is 60% poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio ) ethylene dichloride] , or, as I like to put it: Poly....<something unpronounceable>...

In large amounts it WILL drive your FC to 0 (like a quart in your pool), so be ready for that. It's better as a preventative, 1-2 oz/week.

Carl

[PoolDoc]

ArmyTiger,

You've got iron in your pool water. Your situation is very similar to this one
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...5-I-m-Confused

Read it, and see if it makes sense. You can follow the same recipe. Post your results after a day or two. I'll try to notice, but if I don't remind me by email at poolforum AT gmail DOT com.

Ben

[Armytiger]

Ben,

I followed the steps in the post that you linked by adding one quart of bleach into the skimmer and a quart of "metal free". This is the second quart of "metal free" that I have put in the pool in the past 2 weeks. I put a dose of polyquat into the pool as well.

In the post that you linked you mentioned "There are EXACTLY TWO ways to remove iron from pool -- no more. First, you can get it into a form you can filter out (orange fluff), and then do that. Second, you can turn it into orange, brown, or black STAINS that are stuck to something. The inside of your filter is OK, the inside of the skimmer is not too bad, but the pool surface or your white swim suit is not so good."


Can you please elaborate on the two methods. I would prefer a method the forms a precipitate that I can either filter or vacuum out?


Thanks,

Dale

[PoolDoc]

You can add a bunch of chlorine and raise the pH, and you will tend to form the precipitate. Usually, this can be vacuumed up.

Or, you can raise the pH, and add chlorine via the skimmer, which tends to bring the iron out on the filter, partly as stain but also as filterable gook.

Before we get started, however, we've got to be sure you have control of your pool. The polyquat and metal stain product are just 'buying time' till then. You need a K2006 or K2006C (sig link for Amazon purchase), and we need test results + a description of your pool, pump, & filter. Also, the ideal way to remove the iron requires cal hypo (not copper filled goo, though a cal hypo / borate mix is OK, if overpriced) AND complete removal of any sort of feeder, tabs, mineral product or other stuff that may be ANYWHERE from the skimmer / drain to the pump, to the filter, & back to the pool.

Ben