Ascorbic acid treatment for stains, which sequestering agent to use?

[PoolDoc]

Here are the photos:











1.5HP uprate motor


PRA6F-148L






Enhanced view of stain


StaRite PXC150 filter


Enhanced view of stain

[mbar]

I have a fiberglass pool, and live in the middle of the woods with a mesh cover - so when I open, my pool is dirty and there are always some leaves that find their way under the cover. First thing I do is vacuum to waste, add lots of bleach and let the filter run 24/7 till the water clears. Once clear there is usually staining (due to keeping the chlorine at shock levels for a few days). I don't bother balancing the water until I finish the stain treatment because after the treatment you have to rebalance anyway. Once the water is algae free and reasonably clear I wait about 2 days till the chlorine comes down to about 2, I put the filter on circulate, I add the ascorbic acid, enough to go around the pool on the sides (about 1 to 2 lbs.) and let it recirculate for about 1/2 hour, and make sure there are no more stains. When the stains are all lifted I add 2 bottles of sequestering agent. I let this recirculate for about an hour. I then put the pump on filter and add 1 puck to my skimmer basket. ( I know this is not recommended, but I do it so that there is some chlorine going in the pool, and I never had any problems with this) Then I keep the filter on 24/7 for a day and start to slowly add chlorine to my pool. The pool will not hold chlorine, so you have to keep adding it until all of the ascorbic acid is gone. Depending on how much you use will depend on how long it takes to hold chlorine. Since I don't have to worry about a liner, I don't worry so much about getting the ph up. I do it slowly, and watch for stains to return. If I am all clear I get the water balanced. Last year I did use the CuLator, and it seemed to work well for me. I am going to use it again this year and will let you know how it does. I may even do some experimenting to see what happens if I get my chlorine high with high ph. All I have learned about getting rid of stains has been by experimenting and seeing what works - it always helps to have everyones feedback, so we can learn from each other.

[Watermom]

Marie,
It is great to see you back on the forum! We have missed you and also your great advice for so many people who have stain problems in their pools!

Again, welcome back!

[mbar]

Thanks Watermom!, it's good to be back.