
If they're still there, add more ascorbic acid, and let the filter circulate the treatment for another half-hour.
Check the pool to see if the stains are gone. Allow the ascorbic acid to work for a half-hour. Set the filter on "circulate" and turn it on. Start by using a 1/2 pound of ascorbic acid per 10,000 gallons of water in the pool. Treat large stains by adding ascorbic acid to the pool water by sprinkling it evenly over the surface of the water. X Research source Keep in mind that ascorbic acid is best for treating iron stains, while citric acid is best for treating copper stains. After a few minutes, check to see if it begins to lighten. If you want to try an easy and effective home method, crush up vitamin C tablets, and rub them against the stain. Minerals respond best to chemicals, and if you believe your stain is related to metals, or if the suggestions above for organic pool stains do not improve your stain, try ascorbic acid based pool products. Make sure you use a white background to examine the colors to be accurate. With a liquid test kit, it's hard to see the low end of the colors. The more red the water, the higher the pH balance is. Phenol red is a red chemical you add to a small sample of water to check the pH balance. The more yellow, the more chlorine there is in your pool water. It's a yellow liquid you add to your sample. OTO chlorine is the chemical that tests for total chlorine. Beware, it can be difficult to decipher the different colors and color shades. For example, once you drop the chemicals into your water sample, they are going to change a color, and depending on how bright or dark it is, you have to accurately match it to the directions on the package for a proper treatment plan.
Liquid tests kit can be very accurate but you have to be able to translate the color outcomes well. There are very advanced liquid test kits, but for a home pool, you can stick with pH and chlorine or phenol red and OTO chlorine test kits. Maintaining proper water balance makes it easier to keep metal stains from developing. Low pH and high chlorine levels can also erode the copper heat exchanger in a pool heater. A common cause of blue-green copper pool stains is improper chemical maintenance.If you have a metal based stain, it is important to know exactly which metal is causing you problems in order to properly treat it.Calcium comes from plaster, grout, mortar, or cal-hypo chlorine shock and shows as white crystals. Manganese is from well water and will result in pink, dark brownish-black or purple stains.
Iron is from well water, corrosion of iron pipes and fittings and will result in rusty brown, gray or greenish-brown stains. This will result in blue, green, teal, black or dark purple stains. Copper is from ionizers and corrosion of copper and brass pipes.
The metals that commonly cause pool stains are iron, manganese & copper. Stains that appear reddish brown or very dark are typically related to metals in your pool water. Check near the stairs, around the drain, and under the lip of the pool for discoloration.
If there are rust colored stains on the pool wall below a ladder, the source is probably a metal, and you should examine the ladder for corrosion too. The types of metals that can sneak in your pool includes rust, manganese, iron, and copper. It only takes the copper from the size of a penny to be oxidized in your pool and cause major stains. These substances can inadvertently be introduced into pools from well water or corrosion from copper pipes. Be on the lookout for inorganic or metal based stains.