The RETURN of the Orange/Brown Stain!

[rwkelleyjr]

Thanks for your response, Marie. Not to sound Cheap, but it appears the Ascorbic Acid route would be much more economical choice too.

Can I go that route first? If so, how is it to be used?

Many thanks!

[mbar]

Ha, ha, that's why I went the ascorbic acid route myself - not cheap, just frugal. If you want to go the sequestering agent way first, you lower your ph down to 7., 7.2 and add the sequestering agent - the low ph helps the sequestering agent lift the stain sometimes if it isn't too embedded. I would try this first, because you have to put the sequestering agent in anyway with the ascorbic acid. Oops I just saw that you want to go the ascorbic acid way - How big is your pool? I used 1 1/2 lbs for my 16 x 32 pool about 16,000 gal. You have to lower your cl down to 0, if you want you can put in some polyquat, put the ascorbic acid in put your filter on circulate, let it go for about 1/2 hour, you will be amazed how fast it works. Put in enough sequestering agent, put the filter back to filter and let it filter for 24 hours. It will bring down your ph, so you will have to add borax after 24 hours. It will probably take a lot. Keep the filter running 24/7. After 48 hours start to add chlorine slowly. It will take a lot, because the ascorbic acid will eat up the chlorine. Keep checking and get it back to regular levels in your pool. Do not shock, or take your chlorine really high for at least 2 weeks (hence the algacide). If you have any questions feel free to ask!

[rwkelleyjr]

I guess I should have given you all the particulars of my pool first in case this changes things...

Salt Water Generator/Chlorinator (AutoPilot)
DE Filter
inground 13'x26' pool ~ 9,000 gallons including inground spa
Gunite/Marcite pool
Screened in pool area

Thanks again.

[mbar]

I am sorry to say that I don't have any experience with salt water pools.Youcan check with "Jack's Magic" and see if there is anything different you have to do with salt water pools. I would pm sean from autopilot on this forum, he may be able to tell you if you can use the ascorbic acid - I would imagine that you could if you turn off the system.l I will try to check some things and get back to you.

[waterbear]

Treat the stain with ascorbic acid then use a sequestering agent to keep them from coming back...Jacks 'purple stuff' is made especially for salt water pools but Proteams Metal Magic or any of the others out there will work as well, IMHO. Woudn't hurt to turn the SWG off while you treat (you need to get your Cl levels down anyway for it to work)

[mbar]

Thanks for the reply Waterbear! I have been looking to see about the ascorbic acid and the salt water generators.

rwkellyjr,
You will probably need very little ascorbic acid - the less the better, because the extra will just have to be eaten up by the chlorine - that's why it's hard to get your chlorine to be stable at first. Just go around the sides of the pool with a small scoop (like one for coffee) and pour it heavier where you see the stains. Let the water circulate till you see all of the stains are gone. If they aren't gone in an hour, put a little more acid in. Make sure you put the sequestering agent in, then when all the stains are gone put your filter on filter again. You can start to bring your ph up the next day, but don't take it any higher than 7.2 or 7.3 for a week. After 48 hours you can start to raise your chlorine level back to normal slowly. If you have a sand or DE filter you can put a trichlor puck in the skimmer basket, this way if the chlorine is going to stain, it will stain on the filter. Don't shock the pool for at least 2 weeks.

[edarling]

Leslie's Pool as a product called Stain Remover - it is 2 pounds for $34. It is "concentrated ascorbic acid" Is this actually different than the product you referenced on the chemical store website? Of course, aside from price IE - is there such a thing as "concentrated" AA?

I almost bought it for the quickness/convienience, but remembered I bought some stain remover for 75% off at the end of last season. I always have spring stains from filling/top off with well water and shocking, so I stock up at the end of the season for the next spring once the algae is finally done and I don't need to shock. My pool looks great after the process, but next time, I wonder if I should just by this stuff.

[waterbear]

Thanks for the reply Waterbear! I have been looking to see about the ascorbic acid and the salt water generators.

Marie, I have never seen anything to the contrary about using stain removers with SWGs. If anything the low pH might help in removing some scale from the cell (not really sure but it seems like it should since calcium is a metal). I would think that the SWG should be turned off until the process is done beause chlorine will depleate the ascorbic acid. Probably best to use bleach to bring the chlorine levels back up and then turn the SWG back on. Poolsean would be the one to ask about this.