Greetings, please bear with me, new at this.
TFB Membership
I joined TFB in May 2022. as Gene 1939
I followed various topics on TFB regarding pool issues that I was having at the time. (See my posting from May 22, 2022.)
However, I became very involved with family issues and had very limited time to maintain and solve pool problems. Until recently.
I am the sole maintainer of my 44 year old pool which I designed in 1980.
SLAM
I printed out and read the TFB SLAM instructions to address the continuing algae issues in my pool.
Brushing and Vacuuming
I vacuum and brush with a large nylon bristle brush and a 4” ss wire brush nearly every day. Problems: algae, stains, calcification.
TF Test Kits
For some time, the TF100 test kit was not available.
But recently, I ordered the kit with the slam option and tested the water on 8/24/24 with following results.:
The data above were inserted, as well as I could, into the TFB old pool math table with the results shown in the jpeg attached, hope it is easily read..
Pool Math says to apply chlorine, acid, and CYA. And to remove 20 % of the pool water. I have not yet acquired the CYA.
Metal Stains
In May 25, 2024, stains appeared on the walls and floor of the pool. I suspected they were copper stains. Occasionally I had applied ~ 3 oz of copper pentahydrate crystals to kill off algae at the recommendation of a water chemist.
At that time, I suspected the clarifier, and algae guard that I had been using and latent copper in the water had created the stains.
So, I recently tested two stain spots on the floor of the pool with vitamin C pills (ascorbic acid). In both instances the pills, once dissolved, lifted some of the stain.
I have since stopped using Algae Guard. Brushing with nylon bristle or wire brushes does not lift the stains. And the stains appear to be getting worse.
If the pool is treated with ascorbic acid , or other acids, ultimately the water must be removed to eliminate the copper ions in the water. Adding a sequestrant does not seem to be a good solution.
Calcification
Some of the observed algae is trapped under a layer of what appears to be calcification. This is seen at the tile water line. It is not removed easily with a wire brush, but can cleaned with a stone.
So my Question Is: SLAM for algae versus Stain Removal?
Continuing with algae reduction requires 20% of the water to be removed. On the other hand, all of the water would be removed to eliminate the copper. What is the best approach?
Additionally, would the stains be better removed with an MA wash? Calcification points?
I appreciate your comments, Thank you for your efforts.
Gene
TFB Membership
I joined TFB in May 2022. as Gene 1939
I followed various topics on TFB regarding pool issues that I was having at the time. (See my posting from May 22, 2022.)
However, I became very involved with family issues and had very limited time to maintain and solve pool problems. Until recently.
I am the sole maintainer of my 44 year old pool which I designed in 1980.
SLAM
I printed out and read the TFB SLAM instructions to address the continuing algae issues in my pool.
Brushing and Vacuuming
I vacuum and brush with a large nylon bristle brush and a 4” ss wire brush nearly every day. Problems: algae, stains, calcification.
TF Test Kits
For some time, the TF100 test kit was not available.
But recently, I ordered the kit with the slam option and tested the water on 8/24/24 with following results.:
- FC <0.5
- TC <0.5
- pH 8.2
- TA 200
- CH 750
- CYA 20
The data above were inserted, as well as I could, into the TFB old pool math table with the results shown in the jpeg attached, hope it is easily read..
Pool Math says to apply chlorine, acid, and CYA. And to remove 20 % of the pool water. I have not yet acquired the CYA.
Metal Stains
In May 25, 2024, stains appeared on the walls and floor of the pool. I suspected they were copper stains. Occasionally I had applied ~ 3 oz of copper pentahydrate crystals to kill off algae at the recommendation of a water chemist.
At that time, I suspected the clarifier, and algae guard that I had been using and latent copper in the water had created the stains.
So, I recently tested two stain spots on the floor of the pool with vitamin C pills (ascorbic acid). In both instances the pills, once dissolved, lifted some of the stain.
I have since stopped using Algae Guard. Brushing with nylon bristle or wire brushes does not lift the stains. And the stains appear to be getting worse.
If the pool is treated with ascorbic acid , or other acids, ultimately the water must be removed to eliminate the copper ions in the water. Adding a sequestrant does not seem to be a good solution.
Calcification
Some of the observed algae is trapped under a layer of what appears to be calcification. This is seen at the tile water line. It is not removed easily with a wire brush, but can cleaned with a stone.
So my Question Is: SLAM for algae versus Stain Removal?
Continuing with algae reduction requires 20% of the water to be removed. On the other hand, all of the water would be removed to eliminate the copper. What is the best approach?
Additionally, would the stains be better removed with an MA wash? Calcification points?
I appreciate your comments, Thank you for your efforts.
Gene
This is his original post