Green Hair Problem After Using Bioguard Smart Shock

[SnoopysGirl]

In waiting for Ben to reply, I have taken a photo of the stain that is developing in my pool. I think it is probably iron, but I guess it could also be copper. I did the ascorbic acid test today. Here is my photo:



Will the HEDP lift this stain, or does that just take metals already in the water OUT of the water? I am thinking that I will need to treat the stain. Stain treating products have specific recommendations for pool chemistry, and unless there is some miracle product out there, I won't be reducing the CYA by the amount needed. Any advice would be great - thank you!!

[PoolDoc]

The last test indicates that the CYA is 270.

This is the only part I don't understand: Bromide - I don't know what I need this for, and when I would use it.

Assuming the CYA=270 is still correct, sodium bromide will allow you to kill algae without having to raise your chlorine level to 100 ppm or something like that. We're going to TRY to avoid having algae. But, you don't want to bet the farm on succeeding, so you need a backup plan in case you fail. Sodium bromide can be hard to buy locally, so I'm recommending that you purchase it, keep it on hand, but hopefully, never actually use it!

I did the ascorbic acid test today. . . . . Will the HEDP lift this stain, or does that just take metals already in the water OUT of the water?

HEDP might lift the stain, but probably won't. It also won't take the metals OUT of the water; it does EXACTLY the OPPOSITE! It keeps the metals IN the water. The clean up sequence is:

1. Ascorbic acid lifts the stain OFF the steps, and puts the metals IN the water.
2. HEDP *keeps* the metals in the water, once you re-chlorinate (which destroys the ascorbic acid)
3. The CuLator unit + constant filtration REMOVES the metals FROM the water.

All three steps are essential.

[SnoopysGirl]

I visited the pool store today. Unfortunately, they didn't have the HEDP so I will have to order that. They did say that it is fine to use the liquid chlorine, and they did also show my level of CYA at between 270-300, so they didn't try to sell me more stabilized chlorine, though they did recently sell me a BioGuard shock product and told me to use that to chlorinate the pool. Unfortunately, that is also stabilized chlorine, so it will also increase my CYA level.

Question: when reading online, an article mentioned that salt is a byproduct of using liquid bleach in a pool. Is this correct, and if so, is my water going to taste salty? How do I prevent that??

[aylad]

Salt is a byproduct of using bleach in the pool, but the amount is negligible--you won't be able to tell. I've been using bleach in my pool for 11 years now, and the water still doesn't taste salty.

Janet

[SnoopysGirl]

Thank you, Janet.

Also, does HEDP add phosphates to the pool, and can this grow algae? Of course, the Polyquat would take care of algae, but I am just curious if this is bad.

[PoolDoc]

Also, does HEDP add phosphates to the pool, and can this grow algae?

Phosphonates like HEDP eventually break down into phosphates -- which is why we recommend AGAINST using HEDP unless you have a specific need to do so. But, phosphates don't grow algae, any more than carbon dioxide "grows" algae or any other plants. Both phosphates and carbon dioxide are necessary for plant growth, including algal growth. But, just as ALL pools have carbon dioxide, but not all pools have algae, so not all pools with phosphates have algae!

[SnoopysGirl]

Thank you again. Here is my update today with one (hopefully last) question, and I hope I am not bothering :\

Today:
FC 6.2 ppm (still using up pucks, will be gone very soon)
CC 0.2 ppm
pH 7.4
Alk 190
CYA 270
CH 420
(tested using Taylor K2006A)

I have ordered the Kemtek HEDP and will use that as soon as it arrives. I will be using the liquid chlorine as soon as the pucks are gone. Since I have never used the liquid chlorine, I have to admit that I am a little nervous about it. Will I be adding chlorine daily, or will I be adding it every few days? Every week? I will be testing it daily, just am not sure how often I should be adding it. I will not be shocking the pool weekly, correct? I will still be adding the algicide weekly. Thank you, again, I am looking forward to having my CYA drop soon