I have a test kit and all my levels are always good but obviously I cannot test metal. I am on a well and use it to fill. I run it through filter that goes on the end of a hose but I am getting absolutely terrible metal stains this year. Years past were bad but this is unsightly. I know they are metal because I have already done the vitamin C test and an FYI is that I try to keep my PH lower around 7.1 to 7.3. I opened the pool this year with the ascorbic acid treatment because the chlorine was 0 and followed with metal magic and things looked pretty good, probably the best in 2 years, but now the stains are the worse since putting the pool in. One other comment is that I saw some "pink gel" by some seals. I thought it was an algae but the pool store, there to buy a filter not chemicals, said that it was likely the result of metals.
So I went to the pool store, which I normally don't do since finding troublefreepool, to get opinion and prices on metal removing products. The pool store guy I think I actually had some respect for because he did not just try to sell me something and said that first he needed to find the level of metal before going forward. He also told me that high metals will attack the fiberglass and eat away at the bond line between the molded sections of the pool because he said most fiberglass pools are not one mold. I question this but then thought back to 2 deep scratches in the pool floor after the first or second season of having the pool. I have no idea how or where these deep scratches could have come from and still don't. He recommended I change my filter system from a cartridge to a sand or DE filter because he said that the cartridge filters are not as effective to pull small things from the water like metal. He said I can control the metals and metal stains without a new filter but then I would spend more on chemicals.
Pool Store readings were:
FC: 0
PH: 7.4
TA: 40
No Iron
Copper: .3ppm
Our test kit reading 6 hours later:
FC: .5
CC: .5
TC: 1
PH: 6.8
TA: 40
CH: 300
CYA: 70
Based on this and the pool calculator, we are adding borax and baking soda to increase the PH to around 7.2 and TA to 110.
The pool store recommended the stain remover (ascorbic acid) and run 24 hours and then add metal free. I basically agree with all this but not sure if their stain remover and metal free are good or if Jacks or some other are better brands. The next thing they recommended, which I am not sure about is to add Ultimate Scale and Stain Remover as preventative maintenance every 4 to 8 weeks (I need to verify timing) Has anyone heard of this or have any opinion. I normally do not like adding other chemical other than the pool school recommendations but I think metal stains are a special animal especially for a well water pool owner.
Here are my questions?
1) Does anyone have any knowledge of this Ultimate Scale and Stain Remover from Leslies? Sorry I could not attach a picture because it said the file was too large.
2) Any comment regarding metals attacking the bondline.
3) In a previous thread that I read it was noted to "Do not shock! Do not shock for at least 2 weeks!" Why do we not shock after the ascorbic acid and metal free steps to quickly get the chlorine levels stable?
4) What are the risks of having too much chlorine in the pool other than dry skin and eyes burning? What level of FC is considered too much chlorine?
5) What is a skimmer sock? Isn't is just like putting panyhose on the skimmer? Are there chemicals in a skimmer sock?
6) Should I put wait for the PH and TA to raise before adding the ascorbic acid?
7) Should I wait 24 hours before adding the metal free?
8) Should I really consider changing from my cartridge filter to a sand or DE filter because of my high risk metal problem because I am on well water?
9) Do you think that pink gel was metals?
Thanks to all! This site and forum are amazing and I recommend them to everyone with or thinking about a pool.
So I went to the pool store, which I normally don't do since finding troublefreepool, to get opinion and prices on metal removing products. The pool store guy I think I actually had some respect for because he did not just try to sell me something and said that first he needed to find the level of metal before going forward. He also told me that high metals will attack the fiberglass and eat away at the bond line between the molded sections of the pool because he said most fiberglass pools are not one mold. I question this but then thought back to 2 deep scratches in the pool floor after the first or second season of having the pool. I have no idea how or where these deep scratches could have come from and still don't. He recommended I change my filter system from a cartridge to a sand or DE filter because he said that the cartridge filters are not as effective to pull small things from the water like metal. He said I can control the metals and metal stains without a new filter but then I would spend more on chemicals.
Pool Store readings were:
FC: 0
PH: 7.4
TA: 40
No Iron
Copper: .3ppm
Our test kit reading 6 hours later:
FC: .5
CC: .5
TC: 1
PH: 6.8
TA: 40
CH: 300
CYA: 70
Based on this and the pool calculator, we are adding borax and baking soda to increase the PH to around 7.2 and TA to 110.
The pool store recommended the stain remover (ascorbic acid) and run 24 hours and then add metal free. I basically agree with all this but not sure if their stain remover and metal free are good or if Jacks or some other are better brands. The next thing they recommended, which I am not sure about is to add Ultimate Scale and Stain Remover as preventative maintenance every 4 to 8 weeks (I need to verify timing) Has anyone heard of this or have any opinion. I normally do not like adding other chemical other than the pool school recommendations but I think metal stains are a special animal especially for a well water pool owner.
Here are my questions?
1) Does anyone have any knowledge of this Ultimate Scale and Stain Remover from Leslies? Sorry I could not attach a picture because it said the file was too large.
2) Any comment regarding metals attacking the bondline.
3) In a previous thread that I read it was noted to "Do not shock! Do not shock for at least 2 weeks!" Why do we not shock after the ascorbic acid and metal free steps to quickly get the chlorine levels stable?
4) What are the risks of having too much chlorine in the pool other than dry skin and eyes burning? What level of FC is considered too much chlorine?
5) What is a skimmer sock? Isn't is just like putting panyhose on the skimmer? Are there chemicals in a skimmer sock?
6) Should I put wait for the PH and TA to raise before adding the ascorbic acid?
7) Should I wait 24 hours before adding the metal free?
8) Should I really consider changing from my cartridge filter to a sand or DE filter because of my high risk metal problem because I am on well water?
9) Do you think that pink gel was metals?
Thanks to all! This site and forum are amazing and I recommend them to everyone with or thinking about a pool.