Difference in Water Analysis

[gfritz1]

1. If you have a negative bucket test, it's unlikely you have much metal of any sort (iron, copper, manganese) in your fill water.

2. Between Jacks Magic and Natural Chemistry, I'd go with Jacks Magic. They both do some sleight of hand with their products -- 3 different Jacks Magic products appear to have exactly the same content in the bottle, except for the coloring -- but Natural Chemistry has recently changed the formulation of some other products from marginally effective, to ineffective ingredients, with NO indication of change on the bottle!

3. For using CuLator, the "gallons" figure is purely arbitrary. Also, the packets are not 'used up' unless they change color (except for one unlikely exception), and remain usable so long the packet is not fouled. We recommended getting a larger size, but putting it under a filter sock to keep it from fouling. I'll see if I can post those links below.

4. For clean up, you need a 3 step process: (a) redissolve the metal stain => ascorbic acid (Vitamin C); (b) keep it dissolved => HEDP; (c) remove it from the water => CuLator or filter process. It sounds like, in your case, you may need to use the Vitamin C, and then BRUSH the area -- and that you may need to repeat the process.

If I were you, I'd do the Vitamin C + brushing, everytime the stain reappears, but keep a Culator packet in the skimmer 24/7, for the rest of the season. Remember, the Culator packet can ONLY grab dissolved metals; they have no effect on undissolved metals, like visible stains.

Ben I have the Culator now plus the Vitamen C so when the stain returns am ready to follow your and Dave's recommendation . I did not get any Jacks Magic Pink as if understand correctly your suggesting add the Culator and treat with the Vitamin C and brush and just do this everytime the stain appears? Its been almost two week with no stain but am getting ready