Dark spots forming in new white plaster

[Sumthinred]

Hello, our new white plaster pool has started changing color in places and spots have been appearing. I have read about several possible causes, but figured I would also ask here. Not really sure what to do, I’ve read it could be permanent bc of the mixing of the plaster, I’ve tried vitamin c, doesn’t seem to do anything. The spots seem to be multiplying and getting darker. I had some more rust colored spots early on and used Jacks Magic blue, the spots went away very quickly, these spots are different. Not sure what to do, pool builder is a dead beat and no help… thanks .

 

[JamesW]

Can you show the whole pool and system?

Do you use copper products or have anything copper in the system?

Can you pull the filter cartridges and show them before and after cleaning?

 

[JamesW]

I checked it out as soon as he left and the water is now clear green/turquoise. I understand this is probably bc the pool water truck filled our pool with well water, in addition to my own well water from the hose.

Yellow, green and brown are usually iron.

Turquoise usually points to copper.

Did they add copper algaecide?

 

[Sumthinred]

Can you show the whole pool and system?

Do you use copper products or have anything copper in the system?

Can you pull the filter cartridges and show them before and after cleaning?

I do not use any copper products, I don’t believe they added any either, if they did it would have been about a month and a half ago. I have never cleaned the cartridges, is that something I should consider already?

 

[JamesW]

I have never cleaned the cartridges, is that something I should consider already?

I would.

It would help diagnose the problem.

What is the filter pressure at different speeds?

 

[Sumthinred]

I would.

It would help diagnose the problem.

What is the filter pressure at different speeds?

5-8ish

 

[Sumthinred]

 

[JamesW]

5-8ish

At what speed?

 

[Sumthinred]

5-8ish

What am I looking for? How could that help diagnose the problem?

 

[Sumthinred]

At what speed?

2200-2650

 

[JamesW]

What am I looking for? How could that help diagnose the problem?

Turquoise blue would indicate high levels of copper.

You say that the plaster is white, but it looks more turquoise blue to me.

Can you show the whole pool?

 

[Sumthinred]

Turquoise blue would indicate high levels of copper.

You say that the plaster is white, but it looks more turquoise blue to me.

Can you show the whole pool?

 

[JamesW]

The flow at 2,200 rpm is estimated to be about 65 GPM and at 2,600 RPM, it is estimated to be about 72.5 GPM, which are good numbers.

You can probably turn the speed down to about 1,200 RPM to 1,725 RPM.

This should cut your power costs by a lot.

The power required will only be about 1/6th of what you are using now.

 

[JamesW]

It's hard to tell if the blue is just the water color or if there is some copper staining.

Checking the filters will help a lot.

What's up with the white on the bricks?

Looks like a lot of efflorescence, which is usually due to excessive ground water wicking through the brick and causing the whitish buildup.

 

[Sumthinred]

The flow at 2,200 rpm is estimated to be about 65 GPM and at 2,600 RPM, it is estimated to be about 72.5 GPM, which are good numbers.

You can probably turn the speed down to about 1,200 RPM to 1,725 RPM.

This should cut your power costs by a lot.

The power required will only be about 1/6th of what you are using now.

View attachment 513683

I tried lower speeds, I guess the water was moving, but it wasn’t really skimming. But maybe I can try again.

 

[JamesW]

I tried lower speeds, I guess the water was moving, but it wasn’t really skimming. But maybe I can try again.

Close the main drain valve to 10% open.

Are the skimmer weirs good?

Do you have an open equalizer line in the bottom of the skimmer?

 

[Sumthinred]

It's hard to tell if the blue is just the water color or if there is some copper staining.

Checking the filters will help a lot.

What's up with the white on the bricks?

Looks like a lot of efflorescence, which is usually due to excessive ground water wicking through the brick and causing the whitish buildup.

I might be able to take a look at the filter tomorrow. I took that picture after it rained. The coping it not a solid color, when it’s wet there is more contrast. This is what it looks like now…

 

[Sumthinred]

Close the main drain valve to 10% open.

Are the skimmer weirs good?

Do you have an open equalizer line in the bottom of the skimmer?

 

[Sumthinred]

Close the main drain valve to 10% open.

Are the skimmer weirs good?

Do you have an open equalizer line in the bottom of the skimmer?

Sorry, I’m on my phone and think I added a picture to the wrong reply. I don’t believe there is an equalizer line, I’m not sure what you mean by skimmer weirs being good?

 

[Sumthinred]

Close the main drain valve to 10% open.

Are the skimmer weirs good?

Do you have an open equalizer line in the bottom of the skimmer?

Should I leave the main drain like that all of the time? Even at higher rpm’s?

It's hard to tell if the blue is just the water color or if there is some copper staining.

Checking the filters will help a lot.

What's up with the white on the bricks?

Looks like a lot of efflorescence, which is usually due to excessive ground water wicking through the brick and causing the whitish buildup.

not sure if this is relevant, but the water turned green within the first few day.