Stains in SWG pool

Jump to latest Follow Reply
CathyS

CathyS

Member
May 27, 2022
14
Gainesville VA
Pool Size
23000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
I have an SWG pool which has some stains that are possibly organic. I have been reading a lot of the information on the TFP site. Thank you for this site. It is very informative. I have increased the chlorine in my pool and purchased a stainless steel brush because some of the stains looked like they might be black algae. Some of the stains have disappeared and others have lightened. But I still have some stains that are not going away. I am wondering if I need to do a SLAM. I just got my Taylor K-2006 test kit today. My CYA is 80 and my FC is 7 ppm. Do I need to lower my CYA before I can do a SLAM?
 
So the Overnight FC Loss Test will tell me if I have Algae in the pool. If the stains are caused by metal or scale then I would not lose chlorine. Of course, there could be both at the same time I guess. Okay, thanks.
 
Yes, continue with the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test first. Keep your FC in the 7-9 range today. Sounds like your water could use it anyways. Even if you have some metal issues, you need to address the algae first (if necessary). Tomorrow let us know how your OCLT goes. Also be sure to update your signature. See ours as examples. When you post your next results, please post everything as follows:

FC
CC
CYA
PH
TA
CH

We'll be watching. :)
 
Try this link: https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

You're probably filling out the "about me" section in your profile. The signature is different. Your's currently says "Minimom". If you're on a cell phone, signatures will only appear when you hold the phone sideways (landscape mode).
 
  • Like
Reactions: CathyS and Texas Splash

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
The signature appears under each one of your posts. If you can't see it, turn your phone sideways. Yours says Minimom. Take a look at mine. We would like specific information regarding your pool in that signature block.

 
Texas Splash said:
Yes, continue with the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test first. Keep your FC in the 7-9 range today. Sounds like your water could use it anyways. Even if you have some metal issues, you need to address the algae first (if necessary). Tomorrow let us know how your OCLT goes. Also be sure to update your signature. See ours as examples. When you post your next results, please post everything as follows:

FC
CC
CYA
PH
TA
CH

We'll be watching. :)
Click to expand...
I did the OCLT last night. No chlorine loss. Here are my before and after results:
Before After
FC 7 FC 7
CC .6 CC .5
CYA 80 CYA 80
PH 7.8 PH 7.8
TA 120 TA 110
CH 280 CH 250

For the past week I had my SWG at 100 percent and I had also put in liquid chlorine. The FC was staying at 7. I'm guessing I need to lower my PH and TA. But you tell me. And at what point can I lower the SWG percentage? Also, something I have learned from Trouble Free Pools is that I'm not supposed to use dry acid to lower my PH because I have a SWG pool. I never knew that. That is what I have always used. So if I use Muriatic Acid, is there a special Pool Muriatic Acid that I should use? Thank you for your help with this.
 
CathyS said:
I did the OCLT last night. No chlorine loss. Here are my before and after results:
Before After
FC 7 FC 7
CC .6 CC .5
CYA 80 CYA 80
PH 7.8 PH 7.8
TA 120 TA 110
CH 280 CH 250

For the past week I had my SWG at 100 percent and I had also put in liquid chlorine. The FC was staying at 7. I'm guessing I need to lower my PH and TA. But you tell me. And at what point can I lower the SWG percentage? Also, something I have learned from Trouble Free Pools is that I'm not supposed to use dry acid to lower my PH because I have a SWG pool. I never knew that. That is what I have always used. So if I use Muriatic Acid, is there a special Pool Muriatic Acid that I should use? Thank you for your help with this.
Click to expand...
Did you turn off the SWG before you started the OCLT? Just want to make sure, you wouldn’t be the first to forget that.

There’s no need to adjust the pH or the TA. As long as the pH starts with a “7”, it’s fine and the TA will slowly decrease over time as you manage the pH. There’s no special pool muriatic acid, you can get from Home Depot or the pool store depending on which is cheaper.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Texas Splash
Bperry said:
Did you turn off the SWG before you started the OCLT? Just want to make sure, you wouldn’t be the first to forget that.

There’s no need to adjust the pH or the TA. As long as the pH starts with a “7”, it’s fine and the TA will slowly decrease over time as you manage the pH. There’s no special pool muriatic acid, you can get from Home Depot or the pool store depending on which is cheaper.
Click to expand...
Yes, I did turn off the SWG. What about my CH? Is that too high? According to the Taylor Water Balance calculator, my saturation index is too high. "Water may become cloudy or deposit scale." I am wondering if the stains that are still present in my pool on my steps are scale.
 
You CH is fine. Higher water temps and the pH in the upper 7s is really why the CSI may appear to be slightly positive. Each time you lower the pH it lowers the CSI. Over time, as the TA slowly falls, it will also help. Nothing to be overly concerned about right now.

Your test results look good overall, and passing the OCLT is a great thing. If the stains are organic, it will just take time. You can add some additional liquid chlorine from time to time to increase the FC to about 10-12 and brush often which might help. If the stains only get worse or do not respond to chlorine, try rubbing with a Vitamin C tablet to see if it's iron. You're not on a well are you?
 
I had to look up what CSI was. I thought that was a TV show! Now I understand. I am not on well water, and I have tried the Vitamin C tablet which did not work on these particular stains. They have gotten lighter after leaving a chlorine puck sit on them for a while and then brushing. But that does not affect all of them. If it's scale, how do I know that and how do I get rid of it? I will send a picture.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Texas Splash

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
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