What is "Jack's Magic"?

[Aviendha]

The company that poured my plaster sent me a letter recommending that I use Jack's Magic in my pool to prevent staining.

The letter indicated that "the blue stuff" was added to my pool initially (although I don't remember anyone doing this), and that I should add "the purple stuff" to my SWG pool as the original product becomes depleted. It also said that I should test for the product at least 1x/month and also adjust the water to maintain a level of 12ppm.

Does this sound right? Should I be using this product? I was skeptical because the letter sent was on Jack's Magic letterhead paper, so I figured it was a sales tactic.

I haven't added any of Jack's Magic at all to my pool. Lately I've noticed several small rust colored stains randomly scattered around the walls and floor of the pool. The stains are very small, around the size of a pin head or the tip of a pencil. They won't brush out.

What is this stuff? I don't want to add anything that will throw my water chemistry off, but I sure don't want stains on my new plaster, either.

Thoughts?

[GraceByDesign]

I believe Jack's Magic is a metal sequesterant. Beyond that I can't help.

[waterbear]

The letter was downloaded from the "for professionals only' section of the Jack's Magic website! It is the form letter (with the Jack's magic logo on a blue background on the left side that starts "Dear Pool Owner" and goes on to talk about some of the Jacks Magic products including Blue Stuff, Purifiber, Purple stuff, and seaquest test kit! (I have access to that part of the site and am looking at the letter as I type!). IMHO, it is simply a marketing ploy! A sequesterant can help prevent stains in new plaster but I think they go a bit overboard to sell the product. If you have metals in your water then you should use a sequesterant. If you don't you don't need one! If the plaster company wants you to use it for the warrenty ask them for how long and then use it to protect your warrenty. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste the money!
Just my 2 cents!

[Aviendha]

The letter was downloaded from the "for professionals only' section of the Jack's Magic website! It is the form letter (with the Jack's magic logo on a blue background on the left side that starts "Dear Pool Owner" and goes on to talk about some of the Jacks Magic products including Blue Stuff, Purifiber, Purple stuff, and seaquest test kit!

YES!!! This is it! I thought it seemed like a sales pitch since it sounded so "generic". But, I wanted to make sure. My company didn't tell me that I had to use the product to maintain my warranty, so I was a little confused. Maybe they have some kind of marketing program going with Jack's Magic company.

Anyway, thanks to you both for the info. I was just out adding bleach and brushing when I noticed some new spots, so there is definitely something going on. I will try the vitamin c after the bleach circulates through and report back.

[Aviendha]

Well, I just tried the Vitamin C tablet on a few spots and the good news is that it DID remove the stains!!!

Now, what should I do to get rid of 'em all and keep the little buggers from returning?

I really appreciate everyone's help. Thank you so much!

[Simmons99]

Go get Jacks Magic or other sequesterant - it would also help for you to test your fill water for metals (iron and copper). It sounds like you have iron in the water. Wait for some more information from the stain experts, but I believe you need to read the bottle and adjust your chemistry before you add Jack's Magic in order for it to work correctly.

[GraceByDesign]

......... Lately I've noticed several small rust colored stains randomly scattered around the walls and floor of the pool. The stains are very small, around the size of a pin head or the tip of a pencil. They won't brush out.........

Waterbear, Aviendha mentioned there is already staining...

[waterbear]

If there are stains try holding a vitamin C tablet on them ..If they disappear let us know and we can help you get rid of them and keep them from coming back. New plaster is prone to staining but the Jack's Magic letter IS a form letter and seqesterant is NOT normally needed on a routine basis.