Startup Stonescapes Mini Pebble Pool

[lltt]

We're on day two of the pool being full and the pool builder started up the equipment. We have stone scapes mini pebble and certain areas look really blotchy.

It looks like some of the plaster wasn't acid washed off the top of the pebbles completely when they did the acid wash right before filling.

I've been brushing the pool like I was told, but it's hard for me to believe brushing is going to do anything to help it.

I've read a lot on this forum and from what I understand, this is called "mottling". There's a few spots in the deep end but most of the issues is in the corners of the steps / bench.

Should I just give it more time before telling the PB that this isn't acceptable? Most places I've read said that the interior color / texture isn't really complete until about 30 days.

Here's some pictures. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Erdons]

Brush the heck out of it..

 

[sd122]

It looks fine. Wait till 30 days. Some mottling is going to exist but after 30 days you will see the final result. Did he add tons of acid during the startup?

 

[lltt]

Thanks for the reply. They actually didn't tell us anything was added during the startup, so I'm not really sure. We were told to brush 3 times a day and that the equipment needed be run / tested for 7 days continuously on.
I'll ask them when they are out here next. I know they did an acid wash right before they started filling last wednesday, but should I just ask if acid was added during the startup process to address the mottling?

 

[sd122]

Sure wouldn't hurt to ask. My PB did acid wash before fill and added tons of acid after fill. He said he wanted to even out the color as much as possible. So far so good.

 

[lltt]

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I'll find out from the PB if they can do the same.

 

[dice7074]

Ours was the same way. PB said he'd have someone come out and give it an acid bath, too. But I have to say, our pool looks pretty good after 6 weeks.

 

[Stephjack30]

What color stonescape mini pebble is this?

 

[lltt]

awesome, hopefully ours will turn out the same.

- - - Updated - - -

What color stonescape mini pebble is this?

The color looks a little lighter in these pics than normal, it usually looks much darker. But this is midnight blue.

 

[Yorker]

lltt, how is your pool looking now? We had Stonescapes Aqua Cool installed in April 2018. We had dirt stains from a very poor startup which an acid wash only helped slightly, but we also had areas in corners/edges where the blue pebble bunched together creating lines which only got worse each month (see upper portion of photo). Barely noticeable in full sun, but looked horrible in the mornings and late afternoon, evenings.

Our PB agreed to a full chip out and redo, but is now saying that this uneven clumping of pebbles in normal.

 

[otto73]

After your PB completed installation and did a complete acid wash before pool filled up, what were his instructions, if any, for pool start up proceedures? Mine is saying I don't have to do any unusual brushing or chemical balancing other than normal weekly servicing. Can you confirm?

 

[RODPOOL]

Hello, first post here and just had my pool completed with Stonescapes Aqua Blue mini pebble. We are seeing the same thing as far as spots that are darker blue. The PB also said that brushing will eventually take these spots off but I am not so sure. Do any of you have any updates on your particular pools?

 

[Yorker]

First - Welcome to TFP! Our builder certainly made it challenging for us - but he did ultimately did do a "full chip out" and re-pebble, and we are very satisfied with the results. Can you post photos of your pebble (at diffetent times of the day would be good).

 

[Yorker]

This link should take you to the area of my pool build thread that shows the full chip-out.

 

[Msaeed2010]

lltt, how is your pool looking now? We had Stonescapes Aqua Cool installed in April 2018. We had dirt stains from a very poor startup which an acid wash only helped slightly, but we also had areas in corners/edges where the blue pebble bunched together creating lines which only got worse each month (see upper portion of photo). Barely noticeable in full sun, but looked horrible in the mornings and late afternoon, evenings.

Our PB agreed to a full chip out and redo, but is now saying that this uneven clumping of pebbles in normal.

View attachment 85117

This is aqua cool, we just got our plaster aqua cool and it looks a bit brown

 

[Msaeed2010]

This is aqua cool, we just got our plaster aqua cool and it looks a bit brown

 

[Yorker]

Hi Msaeed! Your color looks great (to me, wonderful choice in edge tile.

The appearance of the color/plaster changes dramatically depending on the depth of the water. I recall making the final choice of Aqua Cool considering what the water color would look like not only in 3-6' of water but also on our first step.

I taught color perception in college to my photography and design students ... consider that if the shallowest step is appearing to have a warmer hue, it very well may be your eyes/brain messing with you because of the steps close proximity to bluish color of deeper areas.

OH, I believe Aqua Cool does have some warmer pebbles mixed in with the black, blue and grey pebbles.

– York

 

[ArsenalFan]

Looks great. We are getting Aqua cool mini with demo starting tomorrow. Have any more pics to share of the pool? Want to show the wife as she is a bit unsure still.

 

[Msaeed2010]

 

[MattNpool30]

I m on day 2 of the pool filling with water and I got this big spot in the deep end. The pool was acid washed and rinsed. I hoping it comes out or blends in and I don't need to empty the pool and chip it out. I'm wondering what caused the large spot in the deepend. Have tropics blue mini pebble.