Metals in pool

[Pennypat]

Penny, try throwing some of that rock into your white bucket and leave it for a few days. I’m guessing that is where your staining is coming from, since that it what changed between previous, problem-free years and now.

With some chlorine? The white bucket test? Good idea.

 

[Pennypat]

That photo of the CuLator a page or so ago doesn’t look yellow - it looks pink.

Did I read correctly that you have had this pool for years but the staining just started this year?

That’s correct. I think that is pink algae from my many AA treatments and not following directions well.

 

[Pennypat]

You should add the initial sequestrant dose right after the aa treatment has lifted all the stains as directed in the article.
Then follow the instructions on your particular sequestrant for maintenance dose’s & frequency.
Without replenishing sequestrant the metals will eventually redeposit onto the surfaces & another aa treatment will need to be performed again.
The only way to stop the cycle is to drain the sequestered water & replace it with metal free water. Or do the slam/polyfill thing to get as much out as possible.
If your iron content is quite high You may need to do all the things - slam/polyfill then aa /sequestrant , then replace some water & keep with sequestrant for insurance.
If the iron level is quite high there’s only so much a sequestrant can do (no matter how expensive it is).
About your landscaping rocks- the pool deck should be designed to drain water away from the pool, if the rock’s placement is impeding that or causing the water to run into the pool that needs to be corrected (no matter what the rocks are made of).

I tried the slam and polyfil. And, the water turned greenish and cleared right up with the slam. But, not metals in the polyfil. I think I had an algea problem that attracted the metals because I was able to lighten the stain during the slam with a lot of brushing. My main board went out a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t get it repaired for a few days. So, at 90 degree water temps, I had some stuff growing. I also don’t get a reading with the metal test (probably not the best test) But, I had already used sequestrant when I tested. AA definitely clears it right up though.

I don’t cover my pool in the winter. And, would like to try to lift the stain’s before winter sets in. But, I am thinking of waiting so I can save the sequestrant for the spring. But, I’m worried the stain won’t come up.

 

[Mdragger88]

If they came up before with aa they likely will again.
Unless you exchange water with metal free water or remove the metals you will need to continuously use sequestrant.

 

[cledee]

Right now my PH is 7.6. I just finished a slam. I rebalanced after the slam. Before the slam, I dropped it to 7.3. The instructions on slamming said to adjust it before the slam because of the inaccuracy of testing once you start the slam. But, I’ll keep a close eye on it before I do another AA treatment.

What level did you keep your PH during your AA treatment? What level did you keep it during the 2 weeks it states not to slam the pool?

I know with iron, anything above 7.2 PH will likely cause staining as soon as you add chlorine. Also with metal sequestrant a slam will consume all of the sequestrant.