I have read the "How to" thread on ascorbic acid cleaning, and will be attempting that myself soon. I paid someone a couple years ago to clean my pool because it had some stains, and I am pretty sure that's what he used. Like a fool, I didn't ask enough questions and didn't know how much DIY info was out there. After an initial cleaning that looked amazing, the pool eventually stained again and, in my opinion, looked worse... but I don't have a photographic memory and my disappointment and feeling of having been fleeced are probably shading the opinion. The current stains are shown in attached pics. I've used the Vitamin C tablet test and confirmed that the AA will lift these stains.
On to my questions for the smart folks here:
- as the stains began reappearing, there was a spot on one of our sun ledges that appeared to remain "bleached" (third pic) ... I have assumed this is where he poured the AA solution into the pool, and it has retained some amount of "protection" against deposition of the metals or was just cleaned "deeper" at the time. My question is this: what is the best method for application of the AA such that something like this is less likely to happen? Mix in a bucket of water first and pour into the middle of the pool? Throw the AA solids into a skimmer and let it dissolve into the flowing stream? Broadcast spreading it across the surface of the pool as a dry powder?
- after the first cleaning, I noticed we had a persistent problem with algae, despite repeated shocking... having read the "How to" I know I need to keep the pool dosed with algaecide while the FC is low and need to keep the pH down (we are on well water and it tends to push pH up, as will the shock). However, when I had the water tested it showed to be high in phosphates, which makes me wonder if he used something else... once I put in the PhosFree at the recommended dosage, my FC did its job and I didn't have any more problems with algae. It's the middle of Texas summer now and I'm noticing a light growth of algae despite keeping a FC level in the correct range (2-4 ppm). Do I need to up the dosage of polyquat 60 to be sure that doesn't happen again?
Once I've gotten the stains lifted, I'm planning to pump water out of the pool and refill so I don't have to continue dosing with sequestrant, but probably only about half the volume. It's dry here (see the part about Texas summer), so feel that the risk of floating the pool is low... nonetheless, I'm pretty nervous about emptying it completely. First order of business is lifting the stains... will post pics of the results.
TIA for answers to the above... TFP is a great resource!
On to my questions for the smart folks here:
- as the stains began reappearing, there was a spot on one of our sun ledges that appeared to remain "bleached" (third pic) ... I have assumed this is where he poured the AA solution into the pool, and it has retained some amount of "protection" against deposition of the metals or was just cleaned "deeper" at the time. My question is this: what is the best method for application of the AA such that something like this is less likely to happen? Mix in a bucket of water first and pour into the middle of the pool? Throw the AA solids into a skimmer and let it dissolve into the flowing stream? Broadcast spreading it across the surface of the pool as a dry powder?
- after the first cleaning, I noticed we had a persistent problem with algae, despite repeated shocking... having read the "How to" I know I need to keep the pool dosed with algaecide while the FC is low and need to keep the pH down (we are on well water and it tends to push pH up, as will the shock). However, when I had the water tested it showed to be high in phosphates, which makes me wonder if he used something else... once I put in the PhosFree at the recommended dosage, my FC did its job and I didn't have any more problems with algae. It's the middle of Texas summer now and I'm noticing a light growth of algae despite keeping a FC level in the correct range (2-4 ppm). Do I need to up the dosage of polyquat 60 to be sure that doesn't happen again?
Once I've gotten the stains lifted, I'm planning to pump water out of the pool and refill so I don't have to continue dosing with sequestrant, but probably only about half the volume. It's dry here (see the part about Texas summer), so feel that the risk of floating the pool is low... nonetheless, I'm pretty nervous about emptying it completely. First order of business is lifting the stains... will post pics of the results.
TIA for answers to the above... TFP is a great resource!
