Where on the forum should one post questions about stains?

[meestahmarc]

Hi, I have some staining, but now I do not believe it is algae. where should I post this question and pictures? I already did a full Metal Erase treatment followed by stain and scale eliminator. Several stains around other areas of the pool came out, but these yellow/green stains remain. They do not brush out or move. Plaster is 3 years old diamond brite. Pool is crystal clear for weeks now. Water is balanced.

Apologies, as it is hard to photograph. It's basically only about 1 ft down from the waterline and a bit on the flat seating areas of pool and hot tub. It has lightened over the past weeks on the steps, but not much on the upper walls.

Chlorine on it doesn't do anything. SLAM process doesn't do anything, vitamin C pill rub does nothing, and the Metal Erase is basically several pounds of ascorbic acid which doesn't seem to help this further.

I have not tried muriatic acid down a pole as of yet.

I am the pool service guy for my abode, so noone else to really help me at this point. I'm kind of bummed because this pool is my oasis!!!

 

[meestahmarc]

PS, lots of reflection in photos from the trees above. The stains are dull in appearance, the real patchy contrast on the photos is more lighting. Edges of the stain or soft and blurry as it fades to the adjacent non stained area. photos make it look more scaly, which this is not. thanks

 

[mknauss]

Any copper ionizer or copper product used?

 

[meestahmarc]

Hi Mark,

I do not believe so, but I'm humbled by my previous misdiagnosis. I've used only algaecide 50 and 60. typically using Omni 60, but also use a cheaper 50 that my father in law gives me. I don't have those bottles anymore.

Do you think I should try a copper remover?

Also, I was not religious about using stain and scale preventer last year when closing the pool. I won't make that mistake again.

 

[mknauss]

Heater?

 

[meestahmarc]

yes, I have a pool heater (rarely used, but maybe that doesn't matter or makes it worse).

 

[mknauss]

Are or have trichlor tablets been used? Was there a tablet feeder or were the tablets added to the skimmer?

 

[meestahmarc]

Hi Mark,

I very rarely use the trichlor pucks. I prefer liquid chlorine and have one of those fancy 15 gallon drums with the adjustable rate pump. So this year I've just used about 6 pucks in all over the past 4 weeks (right at the beginning when I opened the pool). Previous years also avoided the pucks for the most part.

thanks.

 

[IceShadow]

If it is copper, my understanding is that you can test by putting some dry acid in a sock and rubbing it over the stain.

 

[meestahmarc]

also, this was the metal erase treatment I used. this brand was suggested to me, and I believe it is a good quality brand, although I had never heard of it before this. I looked now and it does say copper stain remover. I'm stumped.

Haviland Durachlor Stain Eliminator

The Durachlor Stain Eliminator is a concentrated formula that is designed to eliminate most iron and copper stains from pool surfaces. This product can be used on all surfaces, and is compatible with all sanitizer types. Eliminate most iron and copper stains Works in conjunction with either the...

www.poolgeek.com

 

[meestahmarc]

a few better photos without the reflection.

 

[IceShadow]

I'm not familiar at all with the "Stain Eliminator" product and only know about the Vitamin C test for iron and Dry Acid test for copper.

 

[meestahmarc]

thanks. I'll try the dry acid. Finally called my pool construction guy, asked him about it and sent photos. will see what he says.

That stain eliminator product I believe is similar to Bioguard Erase. I bet it's just very expensive ascorbic acid. Unfortunately, it didn't remove these stains, but did remove other staining off the wall.

thanks

 

[IceShadow]

Ascorbic acid helps with iron but I’m not sure it helps with copper staining.