Results of Ascorbic Acid Treatment for Stains

[PoolDoc]

Sorry; watch the CH interferences video.

I'm running into a sort of Catch-22 situation with HEDP and calcium. HEDP also can bind with calcium, and become unavailable for other 'work'. But you can't just increase the HEDP dose, since high enough levels will precipitate colloidal calcium phosphonate that is very difficult to filter.

We need to know what your CH levels are.

[Cookieman]

CH is 90
I cannot get to minimum FC level of 3.0 without stains returning. I added the HEDP each time stains began to return (2.5 qts), but no help. So I sprinkle a few ounces (by volume) of ascorbic acid to keep them from getting too bad. Since the second attempt at the stains began on July 31, I have used 12 qts of HEDP ( Kem Tek or Jacks Pink Stuff), and 18 gallons of bleach. I have added bleach slowly with no one time add exceeding 1 gallon (only when FC=0). Most bleach additions are 1/2 gallon a day or two times per day. Water is clear - cloudiness cleared up within 4 days or so. Stains come back every 3-4 days as FC approached 3.0 or higher. HEDP is not cheap at quantities I am have used - need to try something different- maybe some fill dirt and a dump truck.......LOL!!

[JimK]

.... HEDP is not cheap at quantities I am have used - need to try something different- maybe some fill dirt and a dump truck.......LOL!!

Yeah, I probably spent $500+ when dealing with my stain problem.

[PoolDoc]

No stains, but the cloudiness that began on Wednesday has gotten only slightly better - can barely see drain.

Water is clear - cloudiness cleared up within 4 days or so.

Cookieman, can you tell me what triggered the cloudiness, or what event immediately preceded the cloudiness?

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Also, I'd overlooked your CH readings; 80 - 90 CH would NOT be a problem with HEDP.

Here's what I've begun to wonder. Is it possible that the stains have penetrated fairly deeply into your plaster, and that the AA is de-colorizing them, but that the souble mix is not actually being removed from the plaster?

If that's the case, you can test in two ways.

FIRST: take some chlorine and place it directly on an area where the stains recur, but that is presently clear of stains. If the stains are re-occurring from metal in the water, the physical presence of the chlorine will prevent that. But if the stains are from metal IN the plaster, the chlorine tab should pretty quickly cause those stains to re-appear. If you can get a cal hypo tab or bag of shock that would be preferable. Trichlor may be acidic enough to avoid re-forming the stain, in spite of the high chlorine level. Regardless of type of chlorine, do not leave it sitting on the plaster too long.

SECOND: if the problem is a soluble copper mix, you should be able to wash it out. If you can, while the chlorine is low, and the HEDP high, re-aim a return eyeball to direct a stream of water toward a location where the stains recur. After 24 hours or so, raise the chlorine level, and see if they re-appear.

Finally, if you are not already doing so, run your pump 24/7.

[Cookieman]

Pool has a vinyl liner with fiberglass steps, so there is no plaster in the pool. Pump has been running 24/7 since I first attempted the AA method in mid July. The steps are the first place I notice any stain reappearance, and I do have a return directed to the steps mostly to move leaves toward the skimmer.

I believe the cloudiness originally began with the double dose of the HEDP after AA cleared the stains. I had gotten feedback that I may not have used enough HEDP on the first try. Cloudiness cleared in about 4 days. Water clarity now is very good. Still keeping ph low at 7.0.

[PoolDoc]

Sorry about the plaster mistake.

1. Do you know which brand HEDP you added, and how much you put in, when the cloudiness occurred?

2. Can you put a handful of chlorine powder on the steps, and see if that forces a stain re-appearance?

[Cookieman]

I used 5 quarts of the Kem-Tek Metal Eliminator from Amazon the procedure recommended. Normal dose per bottle instructions is 2.5 qts. This was only time any of the the HEDP products produced any cloudiness, but other additions have been recommended dose or maintenance dose. I have also used Jack's Magic Pink Stuff - dosage is same as KemTek.

I can try this, but will have to find the chorine powder. Get this as Pool Store? Also been thinking about opening up the 1.0 PPM Culator that has been in skimmer for a month to see if ball color will indicate what metal it may be picking up. Still have the 4.5 in there from a couple of weeks ago. These don't seem to be doing much for me. Thoughts?