does using TABs cause powder?

[bud1lite1970]

I posted here awhile back.having powder show up in the bottom of a 18ft AG pool.I was mostly using bleach but have been using tabs too because it has been so hot.over 100 for a couple weeks....anyway will the tabs cause the powder,its not sand i dont think cause it just blows away,I checked the laterals,sand...all is good.?

[Watermom]

I wouldn't think the tabs would be the culprit. What are your calcium hardness, ph and total alkalinity readings?

[aylad]

If the tabs you're using are the newer cal-hypo ones, it's possible that you're getting powder from there, especially if you're using a floater. They go to mush in a day or so, so they tend to not completely dissolve before being released into the water.

If it's trichlor tabs you're using, I wouldn't think it's the tabs....

Janet

[bud1lite1970]

they are dual action tabs,but ive been letting them sit in the skimmer,turn the pump on everyday after work and let it run for a few hours.

[aylad]

The dual action tabs are trichlor, so they shouldn't be causing the problem. Let me caution you though--the "dual" part comes from the addition of copper, so if you're not careful the copper level will rise and you'll start having problems with staining of the pool, hair, fingernails, etc, and managing a pool with metals in it is a whole different ballgame than managing a pool without. I highly recommend that if you want to continue to use trichlor, that you switch to a brand of tabs that does not contain copper.

As Watermom requested, please post your calcium, TA, and pH readings....could be calcium precipitating out, but knowing what the numbers are would help in diagnosing it. While you're at it, go ahead and post your Cl and CYA too.

Janet