Bromine Chemistry Question

[PoolDoc]

A1. If you are algae free, and not seeing metals, you don't have to use the polyquat. However, using small doses of it will help filter out iron particles that may form, because it's a very effective filter aid.

A2. Make 100% sure your feeder is empty. Then, check again. Use borax to gradually raise your pH to 7.8, while continuing to chlorinate. Once your pH is 7.8, begin adding 1/2 lb doses of calcium hypochlorite DIRECTLY to your skimmer, while the pump is on. This 'shocks' the water in the line upstream of the filter, and tends to drop iron out ON your filter. Continuing to use DE during this process will also help pick up remaining iron. Make sure your pump is on 24/7

A3. Avoid shocking the pool for time being, except as noted above.

A4. Stop using a sequestrant. You do not want to KEEP the iron in the water; you want to get it OUT on your filter (per #2 above).

A5. It would be a good idea, till you're pretty sure the iron is gone.

A6. Go to http://pool9.net/borates/

[FormerBromineUser]

Thanks, Ben! I could not open the pool9 link. My anti-virus will not allow it and tells me: "This URL contains malicious software or phishing and is a site that directly or indirectly facilitates the distribution of malicious software or source code." Is there another way to access the information?

[FormerBromineUser]

A2. ...Use borax to gradually raise your pH to 7.8, while continuing to chlorinate. Once your pH is 7.8, begin adding 1/2 lb doses of calcium hypochlorite DIRECTLY to your skimmer, while the pump is on. This 'shocks' the water in the line upstream of the filter, and tends to drop iron out ON your filter. Continuing to use DE during this process will also help pick up remaining iron. Make sure your pump is on 24/7

Okay, just to make sure I have this correct. I am supposed to lower my pH to 7.4-7.6 with MA after I do the above.

1.) Doses above is plural and I am pretty literal... How many doses of cal-hypo in a day? I have been doing one and so far I have not yet had to backwash.

2.) How long should I wait after adding dose(s) before adding the MA?

[PoolDoc]

Conflicting ideas.

+ CuLator removes the metal while it's dissolved = lower pH + HEDP

+ Cal hypo via the skimmer removes the metal onto the filter = higher pH

You can't really do both at the same time. If you've used the cal hypo and had some orange (iron) or green/blue (copper) backwash, that's worked. BUT removing metals seems to rarely be a 1-step process. If you've gotten some metals out with cal hypo, good. If you want to continue with it, that's fine, too.

Once you start with the CuLator, a lower pH would be better.

MA dosing => http://pool9.net/ma/

[FormerBromineUser]

My bad, then. I have reread this thread over and over, and think I have just asked too many questions and things got out of sequence. If I understand you correctly, the CuLators and HEDP are what I should be doing now. I never bought HEDP because I couldn't figure out what product to buy as Kem-Tek discontinued the product you were recommending last month. Is there another option?

[PoolDoc]

The link to the Pink Stuff at Amazon still works:

Kem-Tek 311-6 Pool and Spa 60-Percent Concentrated Algaecide, 1 Quart
Jacks Magic The Pink Stuff 1qt (60% HEDP)

But lets focus on basics first. You can use the CuLator regardless: if there is free metal in the water, the bags will capture some of it; if not, they will still work later. So:

1. Send me a set of *good* pictures of your current conditions. Please go for fully focused. When focusing through water, you may need to place something on the bottom for the camera to focus on -- a stainless steel fork will probably work. If using an iPad, send the pictures *full size* by sending from "Camera Roll*, one at a time, rather than from email. On my iPad3, you can also do it by inserting the pictures, and then going back to the top, tapping the CC line, and selecting the "Actual Size" option.

2. Do a set of tests on the pool, including CYA. It may help if you'll watch the Taylor videos: http://pool9.net/tk-guide http://pool9.net/tk-interfere

3. Go ahead and get the HEDP and the Culators -- but don't use them yet.

4. If you have any sign of algae, say so.

Lets's get your pool cleaned up, clear, and swimmable, and then see about next steps.

[FormerBromineUser]

.
Thanks for responding. A comfort!

1.) I sent 13! pictures. I wasn't quite sure what a *set* of pictures was...

2.) Tests:
FC 1.5
CC 0
pH 7.6
TA 110
CH 90
CYA <30 but getting better

3.) Will order Jack's Pink Stuff today. The link I was referring to was the one for Kem-Tek HEDP that you gave to others. Thanks for the new link.

4.) I see no signs of algae and my pool sides are squeaky, not slimy.

For whatever it's worth, I also stopped by Leslie's. Don't worry, I didn't buy anything! I wanted to see if they had a sequestrant test (my BioGuard store claims to) and they said they didn't. However, they checked my iron levels which registered between 0.3-0.5ppm. I tried to leave, but they checked everything else too. I got the spiel about Natural Chemistry Metal Free and CuLators AND they said my phosphates were at least 1000 and I also needed a phosphate remover after I did the Metal Free and the CuLators... Geez. I forgot just how much I dislike pool stores! They also did a CYA test that had a sliding black dot and told me my CYA was at 20.

[PoolDoc]

Squeaky is GOOD, in vinyl sided pools. Sounds like you're on track.