Bromine Chemistry Question

[PoolDoc]

@BigDave: Thanks!

@BromineUser:

1. Do not chlorinate.
2. Do use HEPD *AND* polyquat. There's nothing special about BioGuard chemicals, except the labels & pricing. Check these at Amazon if you need more.

Kem-Tek 311-6 Pool and Spa 60-Percent Concentrated Algaecide, 1 Quart
Jacks Magic The Pink Stuff 1qt (60% HEDP)

3. Keep the pH below 7.6
4. Brush daily; operate the filter 24/7.

What kind of filter do you have? If a sand filter, get a bag of DE powder, and add 2 cups of DE daily to the skimmer. Watch your pressure and backwash on a 5 psi increase. Do NOT add DE to a cartridge filter!

[FormerBromineUser]

Thanks SO much for the replies! I am much comforted knowing you are there. I updated my signature with new info, btw. Toilet tank: slimy, orange bacteria but no dark red stains.... but 24K of the new water was trucked in from water towers so my MetalTrap well-water contribution was diluted.

So.... they installed the auto-cover and pump today. No chemicals were added. They want me to bring in a sample to test after the water circulated for a bit and I will do that tomorrow. I will post results if they differ significantly from mine.

Here are my test results from tonight:

PH: (I am TERRIBLE at judging red/pink tones so I ran it twice)
PH1: 7.8-7.9 (my husband said 8 but he must be worse than me cause, NO WAY)
PH2: 7.8
Acid Demand Test: 2 drops R-0005 brought it to 7.4 (and I do have a gallon of 31.45% Muriatic Acid leftover from last season)
TA: 260-280 (26 was clearish, 27 faint pink, 28 light pink... again, not so accurate on pink tones)
CH: 130
AM: it was a neon-green chartruse, I think maybe almost a 0.5 but not really a match
FC: Obviously 0 (I checked it out of curiosity as one truckload of water came from Chicago city water which is chlorinated)

If I don't hear from you tonight, I may add a half gallon of MA in the morning. I am leaving town Friday afternoon until Monday morning so I am not going to even try to figure out how to get DE for my filter until then. It's too dangerous to leave a potential backwash problem on my dog-sitter! A bucket test for metals will have to wait too. Still gotta pack! (Headed to Virginia to watch my son compete in the ODAC tennis semi-finals. Go Bridgewater College!) ...Sorry, I am psyched and a proud Mom.

Thanks again, guys. I do use Ben's Amazon link for my purchases there but if there's any other way I can repay you for the advice and peace of mind you give me, please let me know.

[PoolDoc]

Go ahead and add the acid.

As far as the polyquat and HEDP go -- get what you need NOW, locally. Don't wait. Use Amazon for additional purchases.

I've been testing the API tests, and other aquarium tests. So far, tests from different companies don't produce the same results, so I'm going to need to buy a Taylor ammonia kit ($$) to find out if any of the aquarium tests are trustworthy.

As far as pH goes, you may need to use a meter. I don't recommend it, unless is necessary, since meters are both more expensive and more complicated. But if you can't distinguish oranges and pinks, a meter is your only option. See this thread:
Do I Need a pH Meter? (Am I Color Blind?)

[FormerBromineUser]

Okay. I added about 2/3G of MA last night. I just took my pool sample in. Their results:
pH: 7.7
TA: 232
Adj TA: 232
Total Hardness: 174

They had me put in 3 qts of Pool Magnet Plus. There are NO ingredients listed on the bottle. I hope it's the same as Dave's description of Metal Magnet Plus.
They wanted me to put in 24 oz of Smart Algacide. I said no to the Smart Algacide because it's like 60% copper or something and I read somewhere on forum NOT to use copper. I asked for the Algae All 60 but they said that they no longer carry it. Instead they gave me Inhibit Back-up which is:
30% Alkyl (C14, 95% C12 3%, C18 2%) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, and
10% Alkyl (C12, 61% C14 23%, C16 11%, C8&C10 2.5%, C18 2.5%) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
60% Other
There is no mention of anything sounding like "polyquat".
They also said these additions would lower my pH so not to add more MA for now.
I am off for the weekend so we will see how it is on Monday but I will check in to see if you have responded with any comments.
Thanks!

[BigDave]

I'm sorry Pool Magnet is the MSDS I looked up.

[PoolDoc]

In 2002, Pool Magnet Plus was 36% HEDP -- could have changed, however.

Do NOT use the algaecide; it's useless. Check Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot for polyquat. See this page: http://poolsolutions.com/polyquat.html

[FormerBromineUser]

Arg. I already put in one quart of that Bioguard algaecide. Is it just useless or have I done something harmful?
Ran quick to Leslie's and got a polyquat 60%. Off to catch my plane!

[Watermom]

Some algaecides cause foaming issues in pools.

It is generally best to not try and combine chemistry advice from a local pool store and from here. It will often conflict and you can end up with a mess in your pool. Best to pick one or the other to take the advice from. Hope that makes sense!

[FormerBromineUser]

Yes, it does make sense, but Dave and Ben said to go ahead with their products for today but the pool store did the old switcharoo on algaecides. At least I didn't use the copper one! I AM trusting the forum. Absolutely! Thanks!