White Stains
- Thread starter Akupchin
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.
What test kit are you using?
How do you get a CYA of 48?
Turn on CSI tracking in PoolMath and enter your water temperature to calculate your CSI.
How old is your plaster?
What test kit are you using?
How do you get a CYA of 48?
Turn on CSI tracking in PoolMath and enter your water temperature to calculate your CSI.
How old is your plaster?
Thanks for replying and I think I have the signature updated. I just threw a number in there today as I was trying to get the other measurements. The pool was built in 2006 so 23 years old. I’ll turn on CSI, but the water temp is 55. The stains weren’t there when I took off the cover so it was something I did.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,078
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You list a frog "mineral" dispenser. Are you using that? If so, do you know what exactly it is adding to your pool (copper, copper + silver, etc.)?
Thanks for replying JJ_Tex. I am not currently using the mineral side and haven’t since I opened it, but was about to order one. I can’t see what exactly is in it. I have used one the past few years without issue. Here is the link, https://www.amazon.com/King-Technology-Inground-Replacement-Reservoir/dp/B003ETMGZ6.
Thanks for replying and I think I have the signature updated. I just threw a number in there today as I was trying to get the other measurements. The pool was built in 2006 so 23 years old. I’ll turn on CSI, but the water temp is 55. The stains weren’t there when I took off the cover so it was something I did.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,078
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Ok, so that adds calcium and silver to your pool and is certainly not recommended as they can both stain your pool and and do not sanitize your pool like chlorine does.
I'm not an expert on staining, but I know calcium stains are white and I would not continue to use the mineral system as they are not recommended here.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I haven’t touch it, but I ran a brush across it to see if I could remove it and nothing happened. I can try to get a feel for it tomorrow.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What chemicals have you added to the pool since opening?
You pour anything in at that end?
You pour anything in at that end?
Thanks. I won’t be purchasing it this year. This particular stain just happened after the pool opened so I don’t think it was caused by that. Either way good to know not recommended.
I never pour anything in the shallow end. I added one inch chlorine tabs to the frog system and shock to the pool on Monday. I tested today and the PH was over 8. Not sure how much as the Taylor Kit stops there, but it was the color for 8 and dark so I added PH Down today.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We don't recommend using mineral systems. I doubt it is the cause of your problems since you close your pool for winters and drain a significant amount of water out every closing. That removes and dilutes the minerals.
The minerals become a big problem for pools in areas where they are never drained or diluted and the minerals accumulate to where they cause staining.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We also don't recommend using dry acids such as PH Down.
Dry acid is sodium bisulfate. After dissociation of the acid salt, it leaves behind the sulfate ion.
Problems sulfates can cause include:
- Sulfates can damage concrete & plaster
- Excess sulfates in water increases the likelihood of corrosion on metal parts
- Excess sulfates in splash out water leads to degradation of any concrete surfaces
- Sulfates degrade the coatings on SWG plates
- At high enough concentrations, sulfates can react with calcium to form spindly, needle-like crystals of calcium sulfate (gypsum)
- While sulfates in vinyl pools is typically not as problematic as in plaster pools, scaling of gypsum crystals can increase the risk of liner puncture.
Acid - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Give us a complete list of the chemicals you use.
On a regular basis once the pool is balanced I generally only use the one inch chlorine tabs and a calcium or alkalinity increaser if the levels drop. I get them from the intheswim website. I will also use a clarifier from time to time as well.We also don't recommend using dry acids such as PH Down.
Dry acid is sodium bisulfate. After dissociation of the acid salt, it leaves behind the sulfate ion.
Problems sulfates can cause include:
Sulfates can only be removed by draining water.
- Sulfates can damage concrete & plaster
- Excess sulfates in water increases the likelihood of corrosion on metal parts
- Excess sulfates in splash out water leads to degradation of any concrete surfaces
- Sulfates degrade the coatings on SWG plates
- At high enough concentrations, sulfates can react with calcium to form spindly, needle-like crystals of calcium sulfate (gypsum)
- While sulfates in vinyl pools is typically not as problematic as in plaster pools, scaling of gypsum crystals can increase the risk of liner puncture.
Acid - Further Reading
Give us a complete list of the chemicals you use.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,822
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If you follow TFP Methods there is no need for clarifiers.
Clarifier - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
There is no reason for calcium to drop in a pool unless you have leaks.
What is the pH, TA, CH of your fill water?
We recommend you get rid of the chlorine tablets and chlorinate the pool with liquid chlorine or a SWG. Your TA is getting crushed due to the acid the tablets add.
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com
Similar threads
