Under Water Vinyl Wall Stains

[CoffeeBean]

mbar,

Will this work underwater? I'm thinking that the Vit C or whatever will be washed away immediately upon immersion. OR will enough remain to use this as a test?

[waste]

I don't want to step on Marie's toes, but a small amount in a small area should indicate whether it's working.

[mbar]

Waste is right, you just need to put it on the stain for a while - you can even hold some in your hand and rub it on the stain. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) will immediately lift the stain when it comes in contact with it. You will see a little clean spot where the vitamin c hits the stain if it is a metal stain. You can read through this stains and metals forum to read more about it. Feel free to ask any other questions you have

[CoffeeBean]

Well, I had a real "Aha!" moment when I put the Vit C against the stain. I came away clean as a whistle! That's why I love you all on this forum. I'd be totally lost about this pool without you guys.

An interesting thing also happened while I was in the pool trying out the vitamin C.

I have tried using a scrub sponge in the past with zero results. Today I accidentally brushed my foot along the coping edge and noticed that some of the stain came off so I tried the sponge on it.

I made my way all around the 16 X32 using my foot and the sponge (got lots of aquatic leg lifts in today!) and found that some of this stuff comes off down at the bottom of the pool. It didn't at all farther up the wall.

When I took the sponge out to look at it, there was rust colored stuff on it that rinsed out. Is this still metal too or do I have some algae?

[CoffeeBean]

I've been cruising the forum re: metal stains and see that I can order Ascorbic acid from a chemical company. I guess that beats crushing vit c tablets. Does anyone know how long it takes to get the stuff?

What happens to the water once all that ascorbic acid is introduced?

My numbers today are a little skewed since we've had a lot of rain recently:

FC - 6.5
CC - 0
TC - 6.5
pH - 7.3 or 7.4 (It's between the 7.2 & 7.5 marks on the container)
Alk - 100 (down from 120)
CYA - 30
temp - 82 F (I have a heater that keeps it at this)

What should I be doing first so I don't get things too out of whack?

Thanks.

CoffeeBean

[doggie]

Read about it here http://www.focuspools.com/store/prod...?product=NCI48

I have no idea if that's a good price or not. I just wanted to show you some info on dosage and usage.

[Simmons99]

You can also use a metal sequesterant (like Jack's Magic) and lower your PH - sometimes that will lift a stain without the absorbic acid - but some experts (like mbar) can help you better.

Also - you want to get your fill water tested for copper and iron and probably keep some sequesterant in the water to prevent this in the future. Good luck!

[CoffeeBean]

Doggie,

Thanks for the site info. I cruised around on the web a bit and couldn't find another source for the StainFree and the Metal Free was cheaper on your site than a couple of others I checked.

Simmons99,

Where can I find equipment for testing for metals or do I need to do that since my Vitamin C test was "positive"?

Must I take the water sample to my (gulp) local pool store to have it done?

Thankx.

CoffeeBean

[CoffeeBean]

Also, as I read and read other posts....

Smallpooldad posted back in June `06 that it's necessary to drain the pool after using AA and a metal sequesterant. Ummm...I don't think I can do that. It costs well over $500.00 for a tanker of water and that doesn't fill the pool.

Also I read somewhere that the water temp has to be low. Mine's at a steady 82 F because I've had the heater on.

I'm getting more confused and more reluctant to do anything for fear I screw things up royally.

Advice please?

CoffeeBean

[doggie]

I haven't read anything about lowering the temp. And if you drain the water, you might end up right back where you started if there's metal in the fill water. Just be sure your chlorine level is low while you do all this. Otherwise your water will get very cloudy.

Don't worry, things will be fine.