Green Hair Problem After Using Bioguard Smart Shock

[SnoopysGirl]

I visited the pool store today. Unfortunately, they didn't have the HEDP so I will have to order that. They did say that it is fine to use the liquid chlorine, and they did also show my level of CYA at between 270-300, so they didn't try to sell me more stabilized chlorine, though they did recently sell me a BioGuard shock product and told me to use that to chlorinate the pool. Unfortunately, that is also stabilized chlorine, so it will also increase my CYA level.

Question: when reading online, an article mentioned that salt is a byproduct of using liquid bleach in a pool. Is this correct, and if so, is my water going to taste salty? How do I prevent that??

[aylad]

Salt is a byproduct of using bleach in the pool, but the amount is negligible--you won't be able to tell. I've been using bleach in my pool for 11 years now, and the water still doesn't taste salty.

Janet

[SnoopysGirl]

Thank you, Janet.

Also, does HEDP add phosphates to the pool, and can this grow algae? Of course, the Polyquat would take care of algae, but I am just curious if this is bad.

[PoolDoc]

Also, does HEDP add phosphates to the pool, and can this grow algae?

Phosphonates like HEDP eventually break down into phosphates -- which is why we recommend AGAINST using HEDP unless you have a specific need to do so. But, phosphates don't grow algae, any more than carbon dioxide "grows" algae or any other plants. Both phosphates and carbon dioxide are necessary for plant growth, including algal growth. But, just as ALL pools have carbon dioxide, but not all pools have algae, so not all pools with phosphates have algae!

[SnoopysGirl]

Thank you again. Here is my update today with one (hopefully last) question, and I hope I am not bothering :\

Today:
FC 6.2 ppm (still using up pucks, will be gone very soon)
CC 0.2 ppm
pH 7.4
Alk 190
CYA 270
CH 420
(tested using Taylor K2006A)

I have ordered the Kemtek HEDP and will use that as soon as it arrives. I will be using the liquid chlorine as soon as the pucks are gone. Since I have never used the liquid chlorine, I have to admit that I am a little nervous about it. Will I be adding chlorine daily, or will I be adding it every few days? Every week? I will be testing it daily, just am not sure how often I should be adding it. I will not be shocking the pool weekly, correct? I will still be adding the algicide weekly. Thank you, again, I am looking forward to having my CYA drop soon

[PoolDoc]

With a CYA level of 270, you'll be adding it 1 - 2x per week.

Add 5 gallons; wait 4 hours and then test. If it's really 10% bleach (and if your gallons figure is accurate), you should see a chlorine level > 20 ppm.

Assuming all goes well, add 5 more gallons the following day, to get yourself closer to the 'can kill algae w/ 270 ppm CYA' level.

Using the HEDP is fine . . . but keep in mind that it's effect is temporary. To REMOVE the copper, you may need a CuLator unit, OR to do some shocking with calcium hypochlorite shock. (BUT, get specific direction that DIFFER from label directions BEFORE doing this.)

[SnoopysGirl]

Hello, I wanted to update. I have been using the bleach for a few days now. I received the HEDP. I have a question about it. The ChemTek HEDP says that it is a "clarifier." I have been using SeaKlear Clarifier for the past two years, and I really like it. The SeaKlear also says that it removes metals from the pool. Can I use the SeaKlear regularly to help remove metals from the pool (in conjunction with the Culator)? I received the ChemTek HEDP online, and I can get SeaKlear closer to home.

Also, SeaKlear makes a citric acid based stain remover. Is this something I can consider using to remove the stain on the steps and pool liner?

Thank you!

[PoolDoc]

"ChemTek" or "KemTek"? There are many "ChemTek" companies.

No pool chemical I know of is LABELED as HEDP; many contain HEDP; the few listed, and even fewer linked to Amazon are ones I could identify as CONTAINING HEDP, and nothing else. And, it doesn't look like the "Kem-Tek Metal and Calcium Eliminator" calls itself a "clarifier". Look at what you've got, and then look at this photo:



I'm guessing, you've gotten the wrong thing.

Citric acid is a less effective and cheaper product than ascorbic acid. Like ascorbic acid it is COMPLETELY incompatible with chlorine. Unlike ascorbic acid, some nasty by-products form when you began re-chlorinating citric acid.

Also, you need to put on your thinking had a minute. You say

I have been using SeaKlear Clarifier for the past two years . . . The SeaKlear also says that it removes metals from the pool.

But, if it were actually true that SeaKlear "removed" metals . . . you wouldn't be having a green hair problem!

[SnoopysGirl]

Hi Ben,

Sorry for the misunderstanding and misspelling.

It is: Kem-Tek Metal & Calcium Eliminator, as in the photo above. As you can see on the bottom center, it says "Clarify," which is why I classified it as a clarifier, same as SeaKlear. SeaKelar states on the package that it "removes excess metals," but I had been using it only sporadically when needed, and not every time I was adding water or the copper-containing product to the pool.

That is why I was asking about it, and why it might not have been effective in removing the stain buildup on my steps, liner, or hair.

I did forget to mention in my previous posts that I do have the Culator unit. When I add another bag, if you are still interested in seeing results, I can open up the used bag and post a picture with my findings so you can see it's performance.

[PoolDoc]

As you can see on the bottom center, it says "Clarify," which is why I classified it as a clarifier, same as SeaKlear.

Duh. Do I feel really stupid, or just stupid? I'm going with "just stupid".

No, it's not a clarifier. It's amazing how often merchants use descriptions that are at odds with the actual contents of their products -- it's not just pool companies, either.

And NEITHER product actually removes metals from your pool! (How could they: both the 'remedy' and the metals are wholly within the pool!) The CuLator only 'removes' the metals, when you finally throw the bag away! And NONE of the three products remove stains (ie, re-dissolve the metal back into the pool water!)

Don't cut a bag for my sake, but I'd love to have pics when you do so -- post them here with Picasa, Photobucket or whatever, or send them to poolforum@gmail.com