Chlorine and Vitamin C - No Effect on Stain - What Next?

[Michael1]

I got some several small stains on the steps which resemble the bigger ones I have failed to get rid of at the deep end.

1) Bleach poured on stain did nothing (not organic?)

2) Vitamin C tablet laid on stain did nothing (not metallic?)

3) Vitamin C rubbed on stain did nothing (not metallic?)

4) Stain is dark brown, and you cannot feel any difference in texture at stain (not calcium deposit?)

I have a lot of berries that drop into the pool from nearby trees. I'm thinking the pigment in these berries may be doing this, but I don't know how you would get rid of that.

I don't know what to try next. Should I try Jack's Magic Stain iD Kit?

Michael

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Normally you would want to use a trichlor puck and not liquid bleach. The liquid dispersed too rapidly whereas the trichlor puck is both a concentrated source of chlorine AND acidic enough to mildly etch the plaster in that spot allowing the chlorine to penetrate better. I would retest with a trichlor puck if you have one on hand.


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[UN1017]

1) Bleach poured on stain did nothing (not organic?)

The contact time for bleach won't be strong enough or long enough. If you are suspecting an organic stain, try a trichlor puck.

 

[Michael1]

I actually have had pretty good success with liquid bleach removing organic stains on the shallow end of the pool, and on steps, so I guess it works sometimes. I'll try the chlorine puck tomorrow.

Thanks for the input!

Michael

 

[Michael1]

I tried the trichlor puck. I rubbed it on the stain several times, and left the puck over the stain for 20 minutes. It had little, if any, effect. This thing is stubborn!

 

[Michael1]

I tried another treatment with the trichlor puck, rubbing it on the stain, and then covering it with the puck for 15 minutes. Didn't touch it.

I am open to ideas on what to try next.

Michael

 

[duraleigh]

We had a similar post not too long ago. If it is not organic and not inorganic, there is nothing left.

I'm thinking the pigment in these berries may be doing this, but I don't know how you would get rid of that.

That's an organic stain.

 

[Michael1]

We had a similar post not too long ago. If it is not organic and not inorganic, there is nothing left. That's an organic stain.

If it is organic, and it doesn't respond to trichlor, what would be an alternative treatment?

 

[duraleigh]

Well, there is no logical reason for it not to respond but since it is not, you can try elevating the FC to double it's normal level for at least 10 days and see if that doesn't lighten it.

Of course, that is still assuming it's organic. It is one or the other for sure.

 

[Michael1]

Dave, thanks for the idea. I'll give it a try after I get my CYA down with water changes this week.

 

[Michael1]

Another thought. If the stain does not respond to trichlor, and it doesn't respond to ascorbic acid, doesn't that mean it could be copper? My understanding is ascorbic acid will not only not remove a copper stain, but can darken a copper stain. It's already dark, so maybe that's it.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Another thought. If the stain does not respond to trichlor, and it doesn't respond to ascorbic acid, doesn't that mean it could be copper? My understanding is ascorbic acid will not only not remove a copper stain, but can darken a copper stain. It's already dark, so maybe that's it.

Citric acid will dissolve copper better than ascorbic acid. You can purchase citric acid in some organic food stores under the name sour salt.


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[Michael1]

Citric acid will dissolve copper better than ascorbic acid. You can purchase citric acid in some organic food stores under the name sour salt.


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I appreciate the idea. I have a lemon tree next to the pool, with the most sour acidic lemons I have ever tasted. Maybe I can use that (kidding).