Organic stain question

Jump to latest Follow Reply
C

ChewBiscuit

0
LifeTime Supporter
Jul 25, 2013
82
Cedar Rapids, IA
I have a small brownish stain on my liner that I'm going to test to determine if it's organic or metal related. For the record I just passed an OCLT test so I'm pretty sure it's not just algae.

So, I understand I need to put a chlorine puck in my net and hover it over the stain for a few minutes. Then if that area clears up, it's organic, if not then metal.

Questions: So I see the what-to-do for metal, but if it's organic, what do you do to finish off the stain? Do I just move the puck around over the stain until all of it is clear? Also, is there a danger of messing up my liner if I touch the puck to it?

Thank you.
 
I think there's a good chance it's organic because some leaves and crud had gotten under the cover before I opened somehow. I've also never had metal in my water according to the once a year I take a sample to the pool store. (can't test for metal with my TFT kit) That said, should I try vitamin C tablets first?

If that shows it's not metal, do I then try the chlorine puck, raising the same questions as above?

And thanks for the response!
 
Last edited:
Azgirl71 said:
It would not hurt. If you run a OLCT and you pass it is not organic. If you fail, then it is organic and should do a SLAM.
Click to expand...
That's not really true - there are all kinds of organic stains that do not consume Chlorine.
Tannins in acorns in particular will not show OLCT loss but are easily lifted if you super shock with cal-hypo, bleach just simply isn't concentrated or heavy enough to drop to the floor.

- - - Updated - - -

ChewBiscuit said:
I have a small brownish stain on my liner that I'm going to test to determine if it's organic or metal related. For the record I just passed an OCLT test so I'm pretty sure it's not just algae.

So, I understand I need to put a chlorine puck in my net and hover it over the stain for a few minutes. Then if that area clears up, it's organic, if not then metal.

Questions: So I see the what-to-do for metal, but if it's organic, what do you do to finish off the stain? Do I just move the puck around over the stain until all of it is clear? Also, is there a danger of messing up my liner if I touch the puck to it?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Lay the puck on it, you will be hard pressed to bleach out the liner by leaving it there for 10-20mins
 
If the OP does a OLCT he can rule out the stains as an organic matter that choline does consume and we will go from there.

- - - Updated - - -

I would also like to point out to you that bleach is heavy enough to drop to the bottom if poured in too fast.
 
Azgirl71 said:
My apologies for missing that.
Click to expand...
No problems here, just wanted to make sure everyone is on the same page.
I know bleach in jugs may drop if poured to quick, but it isn't nearly as concentrated as cal-hypo mixed in a bucket which will drop even when pump is in operation and clear up all kinds of stains folks have a hard time removing.
Knowing it's not the "TFP way" I'm not telling people to bleach out their liners for no reason, it just genuinely works - I've done it weekly for the past 9 years
 
Cal-Hypo is high chlorine but not low in pH so it's far less likely to cause a problem on vinyl if not left for too long. Trichlor, on the other hand, is much riskier though here again time is everything. For both vinyl and plaster, it's low pH that is most detrimental. High FC, not nearly as much of an issue though again over time it will "bleach" out color especially if it's an organic dye (but those tend to fade in vinyl anyway which is why inorganic compounds for color are much better and won't bleach out).
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
chem geek said:
Cal-Hypo is high chlorine but not low in pH so it's far less likely to cause a problem on vinyl if not left for too long. Trichlor, on the other hand, is much riskier though here again time is everything. For both vinyl and plaster, it's low pH that is most detrimental. High FC, not nearly as much of an issue though again over time it will "bleach" out color especially if it's an organic dye (but those tend to fade in vinyl anyway which is why inorganic compounds for color are much better and won't bleach out).
Click to expand...

Summed up don't leave tri-chlor pucks on your liner overnight.
And don't broadcast bags of stabilized shock from walmart and let settle on your deep end like the PO of my house did.
My deep end is mostly white, will be that way until I pull the trigger on a liner, it holds water and cools me off for now
 
Thanks for all of the responses.

I tried crushing a bunch of vitamin C tablets in a white egg legging and laying it on the stain for a while. I can't really tell if it lightened the stain or not and am kicking myself for not taking a before and after shot. But it's not obviously better. Will try the puck tomorrow, and will make sure not to leave it on the liner overnight!!

Thanks again all.
 
Ok, I'm at a loss. After I didn't notice any difference dropping the crushed vitamin C tablets in a sock in the deep end and moving it onto the stain, I have tried laying 4 pucks on it, 2 at a time for about a half an hour to an hour. I still don't feel like there's any improvement.

I'm going to try the C tablets again. How long can I leave those on the liner? I think the first time I only gave it an hour.
 
Chew, if you left it for an hour and it did not lighten or turn black (lighten for iron, turn blackish for some types of copper stains) than it could well be either a tanin stain or even an "under liner" stain...rare, but happens.

Sunlight and good FC maintenance may ultimately lighten and fade organic stains...occasionally some tannins will cling on for a very long time and generally not respond to much, in my experience.
 
Swampwoman said:
Chew, if you left it for an hour and it did not lighten or turn black (lighten for iron, turn blackish for some types of copper stains) than it could well be either a tanin stain or even an "under liner" stain...rare, but happens.

Sunlight and good FC maintenance may ultimately lighten and fade organic stains...occasionally some tannins will cling on for a very long time and generally not respond to much, in my experience.
Click to expand...

Ok. I guess I will just let it be and see if it fades over time. Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply