RE: In-Ground, DE Filter Pool With Clear Green Water

[barbjack]

OK, I put in the polyquat and brushed again and it looks like there is/was some algae growing on the surface, it came up when I brushed. So I probably have both copper and algae. Since the last backwash before the 2- 10%chlorine gallons and the polyquat, the pressure on the DE filter has risen a few points; from the 20-24psi it usually runs, to about 29psi. That happens when it's gettng clogged I think, so it may be fitering out the dead algea. We will back wash again this afternoon after the brushed algea/whatever goes thru it for a while. We are adding couple inches of water at the same time as it went down a bit with the cover off so long; it's been pretty warm the last few days.

Then after the brush, and backwash, we'll add another gallon 10% liquid chlorine and keep the filter on and shut the cover for tonight. I'll test again in the morning.

We have 32oz of Leslie's Super Metal X which according to it's MSDS sheet is 2-phosphono-1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid (28%). Sound similar to the HEDP you mentioned, but not exactly. Do you think this is the same thing? If not, I'll get the HEDP.

We do have some pretty bad staining on the steps and a few other places, so I wouldn't be surprised that we would have copper in the water. Also the fill line is galvinized steel and does dump rust water for the first couple gallons. We hold a bucket under it until it comes out clear, but I bet previous owners may not have done that.

Those CuLator packs sound great! I don't care if they work slowly, as long as they get rid of the metal instead of just dissolve it. I'll get some of those too.

Since the polyquat and brushing all the algae(?)stuff(?) Copper(?) or combo has made the water cloudy, but I think it will filter out. So that's my plan until I get the test kit. Thanks again for the great advice. I feel like maybe we can get a handle on this now. And I now realize how lax we have been about maintenence. We fired the pool guy three years ago cause we caught him billing for days he didn't come, and ironically we're pretty much doing the same thing up til now. That's going to change.

[PoolDoc]

It looks like you need to get HEDP. I didn't realized the old Monsanta Dequest brand was still active; it's now owned by ThermPhos, and is documented at www.dequest.com. Any how, the properties I could find for Dequest 7000 (2-phosphono-1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid) mentions calcium scale inhibition, but not heavy metal sequestration or chelation. Usually, if a product desired property is NOT mentioned, it's not present.

Let me caution you that the stain removal process is VERY sequence dependent; do things out of order, and you can end up wasting all the chemicals you bought!!

Dequest® 7000
Title : Dequest® 7000
Synonyms : 2-Phosphonobutane - 1,2,4 - tricarboxylic acid
Cas number : 37971-36-1
Einecs number : 253-733-4
Product grade : Industrial
Description : Excellent Chlorine stablity and calcium scale inhibition in high stressed alkaline conditions.
Applications : Controls scale where halogen-based biocides or hypochlorite bleach are employed. Controls calcium scale formation in high stressed alkaline conditions.
Storage : Material should be kept cool and dry for best results.
Shelf life : 2 years
Packaging : Drum; Tote; Bulk
Safety : UN 3265 CORROSIVE LIQUID, ACIDIC, ORGANIC, N.O.S., Class 8, PG III


Dequest® 2010
Title : Dequest® 2010
Synonyms : 1-Hydroxyethylidene -1,1,-diphosphonic acid, HEDP
Cas number : 2809-21-4
Einecs number : 220-552-8
Product grade : Industrial
Description : Dequest® 2010, noted for its excellent CaCO3 scale inhibition and chlorine stability is based on hydroxyl ethylidene (1, 1-diphosphonic acid) and is approved for applications in which boiler steam comes in contact with food.
Applications : Noted for its excellent CaCO3 scale inhibition and chlorine stability. Only Dequest® approved in boiler steam contacts with food. Cooling water treatment, boiler treatment, I & I Cleaners, swimming pool, stain prevention, metal ion control.
Storage : Material should be kept cool and dry for best results.
Shelf life : 3 years
Packaging : Drum; Tote; Bulk
Safety : UN 3265 CORROSIVE LIQUID, ACIDIC, ORGANIC, N.O.S., Class 8, PG III
Manufacturing site : Newport

[barbjack]

Interesting. This was something that came with the pool, so it's probably old, I'll get rid of it, and get HEDP. We have a few bottles of this and that, that came with the pool. Everything that was from Leslie's Pool Supply did not have the actual chemical name on the bottle. Not one.
I had to look that info up on the web and found their MSDS sheet on a page not even connected with Leslie Pools. I think it's rather odd to package chemicals and not have the active ingredient anywhere on the label. Don't think I'll buy from them myself.

Thanks for the heads up on the sequential nature of the stain removal process. I will be careful. I set a vitamin C table on the worst stair stain, as I'd read it can be a good test to see if it's iron stain, and yep, the stain in that spot cleared up under the tablet. So, those stains probably are iron.

Interestingly, I have a koi pond also, and the best product for algae removal without hurting the fish or plants is the same ingredient as in the Polyquat, except at 4.5% strength. Works really well in fish ponds, as copper in any amount is toxic to fish, so good products can have lots of applications I guess.

Well, thanks for all the help. I'll post again when the test kit arrives.

[barbjack]

Also, forgot to add, interesting that you only found that ingredient to take care of calcium scale, and not metals. Wonder why Leslie pools would name it Metal X in that case, hmm. Seems a bit misleading, to say the least. I can see now why most pool company products don't have a good rep here. lol.

[aylad]

You mentioned that you've been using trichlor pucks in the feeders, which do contain quite a bit of CYA and will raise it quickly. If you've been using the trichlor pucks for a long time, the algae growth is probably because the CYA has gotten too high and you're not maintaining adequate chlorine levels for it. I've skimmed through this thread a couple of times, and I don't see a CYA level listed...when you get your kit, please test for CYA and post that number.....

[PoolDoc]

Before you do a stain removal process, check with me. I think I'm about to revise that process. In particular, you MUST have a full set of K2006 readings, especially including TA & CH.