Metal Stains ?

[gfritz1]

Have been on the BBB method for about 2 months now and due to high CYA have been keeping chlorine level above 5 per suggestion of the Forum . My PH is around 7.8 with Hardness at 190 and Alk at 90 . I noticed some staining on the white steps and as usual added some ascorbic acid powder and it removed it. Yes I have a heater.Prior to leaving on trip I saw stains on the vinyl liner which almost appears like something is running down the walls. Tried to clean off using cleaners - no luck. Since gone a week per pool users it has gotten worst.They thought it was from leaves lying on solar cover. I think metal stains .Thoughts? He used the ascorbic acid on steps and it again cleaned off but ran out so does not know if it worked on walls .Looking for advice on a process to follow . Thanks

[waterbear]

What color are the stains? Are they rough or smooth? How high is the CYA and does the heater have a copper heat exchanger or is it a different material? Which Taylor kit do you have? (Not all Taylor kits are created equal). Did you add a metal sequestrant to the water after the ascorbic acid and have you continued to add maintenance doses of the sequestrant?
IF you provide this info we can perhaps better help you.

[gfritz1]

Stains are light brown in color more like a light rust . Taylor 2006 Kit . He measured today and FC was 4 CC was 0 CYA was 50 ph 7.4 alk 80 hardness 180. He has enough of ascorbic acid to go around pool and it appears stains are gone. Will open today and take a better look as weather has been cold. No did not add a sequestrant. As for heater it is a Laars 2 Lite Teleydyne and not 100% sure but says it has a cermaic heater core but not sure my model which is 10 years old does .Need to check when home on Wed . He did clean off the solar cover and got the leaves off . It appears the absorbic acid brought the PH down a little .

[waterbear]

Sounds like iron stains and they will reoccur if you do not add the sequestrant. Ascorbic acid will drop the pH a bit, don't worry about it in your case.

[gfritz1]

Thanks as they have continue to come back .Use city water so would expect iron not to be the issue . The only other source of iron would be the pool heater which the in and out fittings are some sort of iron .As stated earlier will check on core . So what is recommendation on a sequestrant - Jacks Magic Pink or something else ? Pool is 23000 gals.

I have a lot of Back up from Bioguard can this be used in place of Polyquat ? Do you recommend a culator as suggested below ? In reading your Metal Stain sheet think if follow exactly should be good as until now it has not been on walls . With time to close shortly do you suggested deal with it now or wait until spring ? Im think your suggestion will be now. Anything I should add to water at closing


o As soon as the stain is gone, add HEDP at the rates shown below.
o Put the filter back on filter and leave it on 24/7 for at least the next week.
o If you have purchased a CuLator packages, add it to your skimmer AFTER installing a skim sock.