Newbie metal issues - manganese and Bioguard Pool Magnet

[kearpaul]

Hi Marie -

Thanks for your thoughts.

Pool is colored plaster.

I switch between cal hypo and liquid chlorine for shocking. So, I'll stop using the cal hypo and monitor calcium.

As to the chlorine level, it's been discouraging to get it much higher, as the water seems to 'get green' as it rises. [Weird, I know.] Well, I'll try it again and also get my ph a bit lower.

Someone asked me the other day if I had any hobbies. I said, "Are you kidding? I have a pool!"

Thanks again,
Paul

[mbar]

Sounds like there may be a little iron in the water, or copper. Since your water colors when the chlorine gets high, I would add a sequestering agent (some kind of metal out). This will bind with the metals and keep them in suspension, taking away the green Just get something like metal free, metal magic, jack's magic, sequasol, anything that says "metal out" I know - my pool is my "hobby"

[kearpaul]

Thanks again Marie.

Two follow up questions:

1. You mentioned a few sequestering agents. They appear to be about $20/qt. What I've been using is Pool Magnet by Bioguard. (Also $20/qt, grrr.) Would you know if this is the same kind of thing?

2. Are there any homemade sequestering agents?

Best,
Paul
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They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it.
Gracie Allen

[mbar]

Yes, Pool Magnet is a sequestering agent. It will bind with metals in the water to hold them in suspension. Yes, they are expensive. You can find them cheaper on the web sometimes. Unfortunately I don't know of any "homemade" sequestering agents After a while you will get to know how to work your own pool. The important thing to remember is high ph along with high chlorine will make any metals that are not sequestered fall out. What I usually do is add a little sequestering agent (about 2 oz) a week (if I remember), and watch for stains (with this expression If I see them start, I lower the ph down to 7 and add a little more sequestering agent (about 8 oz.) and let it circulate. It usually removes the new stains. Sequestering agent breaks down, and is lost, so it does need to be replaced, and it is expensive, but keeping on top of it, by watching the ph and keeping the chlorine up to good levels so you don't have to shock, makes the process less painful

[kearpaul]

Thanks so much, Marie.

Trudging on . . .

And cheers once again from the Sierra Foothills,

Paul


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When I can walk into a restaurant with a pipe in my mouth, and have the hostess ask, “Smoking or nonsmoking?” I know that I have the right pipe.
Lee von Erck, pipe maker