Freaking OUT! Brown stains on my gunite pool!

[dblomom]

OK, life (and a ton of rain) got in the way, but I have done the bucket test. It yielded zero sediment in the bottom of the bucket. Do I still buy the CuLator product(s) you recommended?

Also, I do have an algae problem. Not sure if I had the algae all along or just because of all of the rain. I tried to stay on top of the chlorine test, but apparently, failed. I know, you warned me. I shocked it last night, after brushing the visible algae off of the tile line(s). I turned the chlorine level up a bit as well. The water is still crystal clear.

While scrubbing the algae, my husband dove down to the bottom where the drain is. Is it normal 1) for the drain to only pull from maybe 1/3 of it's length? (it's not a round drain but a horizontal one) and 2) for the 2/3 that it's not pulling from to be very dark (maybe even greenish) in color?

As far as the spots that initially got me to this site, they are still there, they don't appear to be any bigger, smaller, darker or lighter.

I feel like I have so many questions, I hope I'm not too all-over-the-place. I've given up on my pool company; I called them yesterday to get 4 lbs of shock for my chlorine pool (I called 1st b/c they're sort of a drive for me). Low-and-behold, they didn't have any. What pool company doesn't have shock? Really?

TYA,
Amy

[PoolDoc]

Hi Amy;

You can shock your pool with bleach -- 3 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach will do it, unless your CYA level is high. (Did you ever get a K2006?)

Regarding the CuLater, we recently got a bit more evidence that that work. So, if you don't mind the expense, keeping one in your skimmer will reduce the likelihood of an recurrence of your stains. And, it should last till it is used up, if you keep it from getting contaminated with pool goo, so remember to get skimmer socks, if you get the Culator.. I wouldn't depend on one to last more than a season, though. You can get the small one, if you like, since you may not even have any iron. If it DOES begin collecting iron, it will discolor.

You *really* need a K2006, even if you don't use it regularly. I don't know what your TA, CH, or CYA levels are, so I can't advise you as well as I'd like.

Also, if you'd please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds -- we can answer your questions more appropriately.

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

And, one more thing: you did the bucket test, on your pool, right? If so, you should ALSO do it on your tap water, to see if there are metals in the water you are adding to your pool!

[dblomom]

PoolDoc,

I will order the K2006 today. (I wasn't sure what to order (or not) and was under the impression to do the bucket test)...also, when I did the bucket test, I did it w/ hose water that we use fill the pool. Are you saying I should also do it for the tap water as in in the house?
I will also order the CuLator. Is it probable that I have and algae problem AND a metal problem (even though the bucket test yielded no sediment)?
And when I shock the pool w/ bleach, do I just dump it right in to the pool water?

Thanks!!!
Amy

[dblomom]

Is this the K2006 I should get? (I couldn't view your signature, I don't think I have permission)
http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Complet...rds=K2006+pool
Also, I got the metal levels from my water supply, are you interested in those at all? Or should we just go off the test kit results once I get it?
Thanks!!
Amy

[Watermom]

Your hose and tap water are the same thing, so you don't need to test both. Also, that is the correct kit. Not sure why you couldn't see the link in the signature. Not sure that it matters, but were you logged in or not when you tried to see the link? If you try again and still can't see it, let us know and we'll have to investigate to see why not. Obviously, we would prefer that you order through our Amazon link so the Pool Forum gets a little commission on the sale. That helps keep the forum online and able to help people.

The K-2006 does not test for metals, so yes, please post the metals report from your water supply.

EDIT: I logged out and tried to access the testkit page from the link in my signature and I was able to do so, so it doesn't matter whether you were logged in or not when you tried. But, try again and let us know if it works.

[dblomom]

Watermom,

I tried to view it on your page/signature and again, it says I don't have permission. I was logged in. I feel so dumb! But, here's what it's doing:
I click on your name, it takes me to a page and asks me to log in (again), when I log in for the 2nd time, the message says:

"vBulletin Message

dblomom, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation."


Regardless, I will order the test kit!

Here are the results given over the phone to me from my Rural Water Supply, I hope I spelled them correctly, I did only get a "C" in Chemistry:

sodium: 45.9 mg/Liter
THE REST ARE MEASURED IN PARTS/BILLION

Arsenic: Less than 2
Barium: 355
Beryllium: less than 2
Calcium: less than 2
Chromium: less than 10
Phylum: less than 1
Nickel: less than 10
Antimony: less than 2
Selenium: less than 10
Lead: none
Copper: none

I guess that's it for now, until my new test kit arrives...? If I should get more information/do anything else in the mean time, please advise.

As far as the bleach, do I just dump it in the pool? How long should I wait before swimming? What is the advantage of household bleach vs. chlorine shock?

THANKS!
Amy

[dblomom]

OH! I just figured out how to access the test kit through your signature. I was doing it incorrectly before! Ugh, I'm really not this "slow" when it comes to computers ~ just when it comes to pool maintenance! Thanks!!!!

Amy