Fiberglass pool badly stained

[hoogie]

Thanks all for the advice. Some good stuff in there.

I've been waiting until I had some info to pass on but unfortunately just looking for more advice.

I finally got in touch with someone at the pool manufacturer who had somewhat of a clue. Can't drain it or I void my warranty. They recommended proteam metal magic and said they would ship me some. Been waiting 3 weeks now, calling every couple of days and hearing excuse after excuse of why it didn't ship yet. I'm skeptical that it will work anyway. I've probably spent $300 bucks or so in the last year for metal something or others that did nothing but take the green color out of my wallet.

I read with interest about vitamin c. I took a tablet that I had, rubbed it on a spot for 30 seconds or so and the spot was nice and white after. Looks like it might work.

I also read about adding muriatic acid to the water to bring the ph real low to dissolve the stains then add a metal remover to capture and filter it out. Unfortunately no details other than read the bottle. The bottle of course doesn't say "If your a moron and have badly stained your pool add this amount" Anyone heard of using that?

I know I can get muriatic acid locally but not bulk vitamin c. I'd have to wipe out the vitamin section from every walmart for a 20 mile radius.

Anyone heard of the muriatic acid route before?

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice,

Mark

[Maxout]

hoogie, There is a link to an online supplier of bulk ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the first page of this thread.

[mbar]

Here is another link in case you want to get 5 lb.:
http://www.msm-msm.com/store/agora.c...scorbic%20Acid
You bring your ph down, and lower your chlorine (the ascorbic acid will be used up by the chlorine) Just pour the ascorbic acid down the walls of the pool as you walk around. Put the filter on circulate, dump in enough metal sequesterant for the size of your pool and let it circulate till you see all the stains magically disappear! It doesn't take long. Then put your filter back to filter and keep it on 24/7. After 24 - 48 hours you can start to SLOWLY bring up your chlorine level. If you have a sand or DE filter you can put a chlorine puck in the skimmer, which will help to let the metal stain the filter instead of the pool. Youwill also have to bring up your ph level. After a stain treatment it is hard to keep the ph and chlorine up. Don't let the ph go higher than 7.2 for a while, and do not get your chlorine up to shock levels for at least 2 weeks. High ph and high chlorine will make any metals in your water percipitate back out to land on the pool. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[hoogie]

Okay, here's an update. Happened to stop at a pool place today and they happened to have absorbic acid. Bought 10 lbs. I explained my dilemna to the pool guy there and he said to take 5 lbs, mix it in 5 gallons of water and use a mop and swab in onto the sides, bottom, steps, etc.. -- even though they are underwater. I did that, pain in the butt.

I also took an extra step and sprinkled the last 5 lbs down the walls and onto the stairs and benches. Threw in a half a bottle of stain-x for metal, put the filter on recirculate, closed the cover and let it run for about 7 hours. Chlorine was nil and ph was about 6.0 when I started.

Well, just opened the cover and it did NOTHING. Still brown as ever... I'm bummed. I'm seriously considering just draining it and spraying it with muriatic acid which I know takes the brown right off. Nasty stuff but it's turning into a money pit otherwise. Besides having brown walls, the water is cloudy and looks like crap and will probably take a bit of work and $$ to get it right after this. I'd seriously like to just start off fresh.

So who can offer advice about draining my 11x24 fiberglass pool safely? Manufacturer told me not to as it voids the warranty.

My yard is sloped so I know there's no standing water underneath it. Concrete deck all around so chance of cave in is minimal.

I may rent some trucks jacks for support, gas mask of some type and then just spray away, wipe clean and refill it. Shouldn't be empty for more than 24 hours. BTW, the pool is enclosed so no elements to worry about either.

Anyone have any other advice I should consider?

And again, thanks everyone for the well thought out responses. I knew this was going to be tough one.

Hoog

[mbar]

I really don't understand - if a vitamin C tablet worked, then the ascorbic acid should have worked. The low ph and no chlorine should have made this a snap. Are you sure it was ascorbic acid or oxcylic acid? I am really stumped. You can contact the pool company and ask them the best way to drain - they have to drain them when they have to fix cracks on the bottom. I have a friend who had to have this done, I will call her tomorrow and ask her how it was done. You must really be frustrated! I feel your pain. Keep the faith!!