My results from using Proteam Metal Magic to lift metal stains from my vinyl pool surface and then removing them from the water.
I wanted to try Metal Magic because it claims to not only lift the metal stains from the surface but also remove the metals by filtering them out of the water. I have used the ascorbic acid treatment with success to lift the stains, but they always returned to the surface again because the metals remained in the water.
Several days before adding Metal Magic
Added 2- 32 oz. bottles of polyquat 60 algaecide. Water turned cloudy but eventually cleared.
Started to lower the chlorine level to 2 ppm and raised the ph to 7.6 using borax. TA was 130, CYA 55
Did the sponge test per proteam instructions and it cleaned the stain from surface within 5 minutes.
Vacuumed and brushed entire pool.
Day 1
Added 5- 32 oz. bottles of Proteam Metal Magic to pool. Purchased from Pool Geek $16.81 each. Free s/h when you purchase 6 bottles.
Stains were slow to lift at first but started showing signs of lifting within a few hours.
No clouding of pool water.
Ph went down into the 7.2 range after adding MM
Continue to run pump on high speed. DE filter pressure did not go up on 1st day.
Chlorine held on at 1 ppm. An opaque cover would help keep the sun out but I didn’t use mine.
Vacuumed and brushed pool.
Day2
Water is still clear and no filter pressure increase. Continue running pump on high speed.
Stains are pretty much gone at this point. In the evening hours I can see a slight discoloration but my vinyl cover is 14 years old and faded. If it stays like this I would be very happy of the results. I did the ascorbic acid treatment last year and it wasn’t much better if any.
Started adding some chlorine to pool to bring up readings to about 5 ppm
By end of day the pool started to lightly cloud up for some reason. My ph went up into the 7.4 range after adding chlorine. It is removing something from the water either crystalized metal or slight algae from the chlorine level being low.
Had to drain filter, remove, clean and add new DE powder because pressure would increase soon after bumping the filter.
Day3
Pool is still cloudy today (not bad) Keeping filter running full speed.
Brushed and vacuumed.
Day4
About the same as day 4. Pool is starting to clear up nicely and chlorine level is holding well.
At night I turned on the pool light and noticed a lot of white specs floating around in the pool. I”m hoping these are the crystalized metal particles making the water cloudy and clogging up the filter.
Day5
Okay, pool water is looking good and the surface is as well.
As I said earlier, in the evening hours I notice my liner looks a little dull on the bottom. Not bad, my wife can’t see what I’m seeing. So to verify that there was no more metal staining, I took a vitamin C tablet and put it on the bottom of pool for five minutes. NOTHING happened…YES!
Day 6
Pool looks great! Still filtering at high speed.
I am very happy with the results thus far and hoping the metals are gone, as this was the main reason for using this product.
Day 7
I took pool samples to two different stores and here are the conflicting results. I have never had a reading of any copper in my pool. #1 used the drop test method, #2 used a calibrated color meter, and I used Taylor K-2006 kit.
Pool Store #1, Pool Store #2, My test results
Ph- 8.0, 7.5, 7.7
FAC- 5.0, 3.0, 5.5
TAC- 0.2, N/A, 0.2
CH- 60, 160, 100
CYA- 0, 25, 55
TA- 110, 155, 130
Copper- .3, 0, N/A
Iron- .3, 0, N/A
TDS- 1200, N/A, N/A
Phosphates- 300 , N/A, N/A
Conclusion
I cannot conclude at this point that the metals are gone from my pool due to the conflicting test results. I would have to say though, that I would agree more with the results from #2 for metal content, because I had never had a copper reading show positive before and the store is known for selling products. But to be sure I will have them rechecked in a week at more locations
It did not cost any more than doing the ascorbic acid treatment and was easier to balance the water levels when completed.
I find it hard to believe my cya is that low. When I check it with K-2006 kit, the black dot does disappear around 50-60 ppm. I’ll watch my chlorine usage to verify.
In no way am I claiming Metal Magic will work on all stains or any type of pool surface.