Hello everyone, I am super new to all this. I am scheduled to get QuartzScapes Barbados Blue tomorrow. I you originally asked for the Reflections but the builder is saying they are out. He is offering to put abalone shells or Puerto Rico blend instead. I have seen those two options in the StonesScapes... can those be put in court scapes too? If you could share any pictures and your feedback I would greatly appreciate it!
Abalone Shells with QuartzScapes?
- Thread starter KaryUrb
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,130
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Abalone shells have, in the past, caused problems with plaster discoloration, specifically brown rings forming around the shell chips. The culprit seems to be non-pool grade shells being used that were not properly processed to remove all of the organics in them. These organics then slowly leach out into the plaster, react with chlorine in the pool water and form a brown ring. Nothing can remove the stain and the fix is often to simply chip-out and redo the plaster.
Discuss with the plaster applicator WHERE they are sourcing the abalone shells from. Abalone shells from a reputable plaster company and properly processed and rated for pool use should be able to be used. If the applicator can't GUARANTEE that the abalone is a pool grade material, then I would not use it.
While abalone can add a nice glittery appearance, I think the downside risks are not worth it.
Abalone, like all sea bivalves, creates it's hard shell from calcium carbonate and other minerals through biological processes. They are beautifully complex in that they use enzymes and proteins in the biological process to structure nano-scale (one-billionth of meter) material layers. Scientists and engineers would love to be able to recreate in the lab what nature has so beautifully constructed but, to date, the best humans can do is a very sad and simplistic process.
All that is to say that these creatures leave organic residues behind in their shells from the process of building them. It has be shown that abalone shells in white and light colored plasters can eventually cause brown staining (little brown halos) over time as the proteins and organics leach out into the surrounding plaster matrix. Chlorine and acid washing are not effective in fixing this.
Remember that abalone is a natural product that is derived from the shells of sea mollusks. They can and will contain organic compounds. If they are not processed and washed properly, problems can arise years later when you no longer have the PB on the hook with your money. These stains appear to be permanent and, in most cases, the plaster has had to be redone.
We have had members report brown stains in their pool from the organics in abalone decomposing. See...
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Discuss with the plaster applicator WHERE they are sourcing the abalone shells from. Abalone shells from a reputable plaster company and properly processed and rated for pool use should be able to be used. If the applicator can't GUARANTEE that the abalone is a pool grade material, then I would not use it.
While abalone can add a nice glittery appearance, I think the downside risks are not worth it.
Abalone, like all sea bivalves, creates it's hard shell from calcium carbonate and other minerals through biological processes. They are beautifully complex in that they use enzymes and proteins in the biological process to structure nano-scale (one-billionth of meter) material layers. Scientists and engineers would love to be able to recreate in the lab what nature has so beautifully constructed but, to date, the best humans can do is a very sad and simplistic process.
All that is to say that these creatures leave organic residues behind in their shells from the process of building them. It has be shown that abalone shells in white and light colored plasters can eventually cause brown staining (little brown halos) over time as the proteins and organics leach out into the surrounding plaster matrix. Chlorine and acid washing are not effective in fixing this.
Remember that abalone is a natural product that is derived from the shells of sea mollusks. They can and will contain organic compounds. If they are not processed and washed properly, problems can arise years later when you no longer have the PB on the hook with your money. These stains appear to be permanent and, in most cases, the plaster has had to be redone.
We have had members report brown stains in their pool from the organics in abalone decomposing. See...
Abalone Shell Chips Causing Brown Stains in Diamond Brite Plaster-
I am first time user on TFP and joined up after seeing older post relating to the issues of Abalone Shell Chips causing brown staining in Diamond Brite Plaster. I am not referring to the shells losing their brilliance...this is an actual stain in the plaster around the shell Has anyone else...
www.troublefreepool.com
I have a plaster problem
I have a pool plaster problem. There are greyish/brownish mottled areas--your posting that talked about "hydration" problems sound similar but I'm not sure . I've uploaded a picture and hope for some opinions on what my problem is. I have 20,000 gal chlorine pool with pebble tec that is 10...
www.troublefreepool.com
wow thank you we were really thinking of adding abalone shells to quartzscapes,
instead.. what would you suggest for shimmer or sparkle? (preferably smooth to touch)
instead.. what would you suggest for shimmer or sparkle? (preferably smooth to touch)
We opted for both abalone shell and puerto Rico blend in our pool and so far no issues (5 months in) we were told by our interior company that most abalone is actually mother of pearl these days due to the issues they had in the past.
For sparkle the abalone is amazing! Hard to capture during the day in pictures but you can see it in the nighttime picture I posted (look for the sparkles). In person it looks amazing.
This is mini pebble though
For sparkle the abalone is amazing! Hard to capture during the day in pictures but you can see it in the nighttime picture I posted (look for the sparkles). In person it looks amazing.
This is mini pebble though
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Strategerizer
Member
- Jul 1, 2021
- 14
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
@Tegguy , which blend did you use and how much abalone? I am having White Diamonds Pebble Sheen (mostly white with some dark and warm toned specs in the aggregate) and adding abalone. I am thinking of adding about 2 bags per "batch of mix" so that is 12 bags total for the pool/spa but wonder if that will be enough sparkle...
BTW, the way I understand it, abalone comes in small bags (about 2 lbs. each) and it is added to each batch. A batch covers about 150 sqft area so for a medium size pool ike mine (913 sqft interior area) I would expect about 6 batches --> 12 bags --> 24 lbs. of abalone. this would get mixed in, no broadcast only to the surface.
Sorry for the slow response. The glass beads were teal and cobalt at 15% and we did double the normal amount of abalone. I don't know the exact number of bags that were used. This was all mixed in with no broadcasting. We love the sparkle and the pool looks amazing. I have had some black spots show up but the interior company was able to remove them. I was worried it was the abalone issue but from my understanding since they were able to be removed they were something else.
The interior color is midnight blue