Cannot measure FC after Jack's Magic Copper stain treatment-ugh!!

[JamesW]

What are all readings?

 

[CatDr]

What are all readings?

Todays readings

FC 3.5
CC 17.5
pH 7.2
TA 40
CH 250
Salt 2800
CYA 50
CSI -1.02
Temp 85 F

 

[CatDr]

Oh and here is what the pool looks like
I am not sure if the staining can be appreciated in the photo

 

[JamesW]

I would raise the TA to 60 and then recheck the pH tomorrow.

 

[JamesW]

I don't think that the stains are copper.

Who diagnosed the stains as copper?

Maybe black algae, but it is hard to tell for sure.

 

[JamesW]

You should try to get the CSI to about -0.3.

 

[jesse-99]

I don't think that the stains are copper.

Who diagnosed the stains as copper?

Maybe black algae, but it is hard to tell for sure.

I thought I read about he said the Jacks Step #1 diagnosed it as Copper.? I might be mistaken.

 

[JamesW]

Per the Jacks Magic stain kit (done 3 times) it was copper staining

I thought I read about he said the Jacks Step #1 diagnosed it as Copper.? I might be mistaken.

That's what they say, but copper doesn't present as spots like in the picture.

If the stain ID was accurate, the treatment would have worked.

 

[JamesW]

It looks like pitting and maybe black algae, but it is difficult to tell for sure.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

If it were black algae, rubbing a trichlor puck on it for a few minutes would remove the black staining. It wouldn’t necessarily get rid of the BA because that form of algae tends to develop hyphae deep into the plaster, but it would make it disappear for a bit.

Could also be dirty calcium scale. Calcium carbonate is white in its pure form but it can pick up and entrain a lot of dirt and silt suspended in the pool water. I believe the Jacks Stain Kit lumps scale and copper into the same test. Sulfamic acid is less aggressive towards calcium scale than copper stains.

If it’s scale, you can take a wet/dry sanding sponge, medium or fine grit and hit an inconspicuous spot with it. See if that polishes the plaster clean.

 

[CatDr]

Ill raise the TA tonight and reck pH tomorrow
I’ll try the sanding sponge and a tricolor tab for good measure

 

[CatDr]

Ill raise the TA tonight and reck pH tomorrow
I’ll try the sanding sponge and a tricolor tab for good measure

pH 7.2
TA 60
FC 1
TC 12

Adding bleach tonight
Should I do anything about the pH
And any idea what is driving my pH down?

Is it related to the salamis acid breaking down (not sure if that is the right term)

 

[JamesW]

I'm not sure why the pH is dropping.

Keep an eye on the TA and pH.

Maybe increase the TA to 80 to get the CSI up some and it will help raise the pH.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Of you have access to a pH meter or a different pH indicator, like bromothymol blue, you can cross check your pH results. It maybe be that the chlorosulfamate levels are high enough to interfere with phenol red indicator. Chlorine usually causes false high pH results but chlorosulfamate might cause a different interference.

 

[CatDr]

I'm not sure why the pH is dropping.

Keep an eye on the TA and pH.

Maybe increase the TA to 80 to get the CSI up some and it will help raise the pH.

I could add Soda ash to increase both the TA and Ph

Is that not advised?

 

[JamesW]

I would avoid soda ash.

Just use baking soda.

 

[duraleigh]

Confirming what JamesW says.......

Lower pH - use muriatic acid....TA also comes down
Raise pH - use borax.....it has little effect on TA.
Lower TA - acid and aeration method....see Pool School
Raise TA - use baking soda....it has little affect on pH

 

[CatDr]

Confirming what JamesW says.......

Lower pH - use muriatic acid....TA also comes down
Raise pH - use borax.....it has little effect on TA.
Lower TA - acid and aeration method....see Pool School
Raise TA - use baking soda....it has little affect on pH

Just so I am clear
Borax, sodium carbonate and washing soda are all the same thing?

 

[Bperry]

Just so I am clear
Borax, sodium carbonate and washing soda are all the same thing?

No. Different things. Don’t substitute.

 

[JamesW]

Borax, sodium carbonate and washing soda are all the same thing?

Washing soda is also know as sodium carbonate or soda ash.

Borax is sodium tetraborate.