Looking for chlorine alternatives . . .

[ChristinaLucia]

Just updating that we took our water in for analysis and our copper level was 0.29ppm which was at the high end of normal and, fortunately for us since we're ditching it, on the low end for the PristineBlue system. I don't think we'll even need a squesterer?? The rest of the readings were pretty darn good for having just peeled back the tarp after 9 mos covered. pH is a little high 8.0, Hardness low 170ppm, TA a little off and there's obviously no chlorine at all present as the previous owner didn't use any. We're going to order the K-2006 test kit from your sig, do some more reading here on the forums and start our new regimen.

Thanks again for the advice and information/links/analysis!

[PoolDoc]

I wouldn't be confident that no staining will occur.

You may not need a sequestrant, but go ahead and lower your pH to 7.0 - 7.4. Avoid adding "alkalinity increaser" (sodium bicarbonate / sodium hydrogen carbonate). Do NOT add calcium hardness. Use borax, not pH UP (soda ash / sodium carbonate) to raise your pH.

Raise your chlorine GRADUALLY over a couple of days, and run your pump & filter continuously.

[chem geek]

I'd previously followed Chem_Geek's discussion on another forum when we were researching Pristine Blue and I saw where the EPA just finished re-registration of PristineBlue earlier this May. Impressive work and follow-up Chem_Geek! I can assure you they have not updated their website as just today they still claim PristineBlue is an "environmentally friendly algicide and bactericide." As someone who is naturally suspicious of corporations and corporate claims (plaintiff's class action lawyer), I'm very disappointed with Earth Science Labs' posted claims.

Just thought I'd let you know that I did recently E-mail the company asking them when they planned to change their website and labeling given the re-registration restricting them from what they can say. I haven't heard back, but will give them some time and will follow-up again. If they still don't respond or change the website in particular (since it can be changed much more quickly than labeling), then I'll report them to the EPA compliance enforcement division for FIFRA violations. It may take another year, though, for the EPA to do anything about it! To be honest, this isn't one of those terribly serious life-threatening problems -- I just want to keep the manufacturers honest.