► Yikes It's Iron?

Alan, when we opened the pool this year, and "yikes" for the first time ever, we have rust all around the pool sides. The winter waterline down, but none on the floor of the pool. Why would we have this problem now?  Our water source hasn't changed and it's not well water. Well, my better half decided to put a mineral treatment in the pool (not a lot, but it's still in there). Have we made a terrible mistake?  Will our chemical levels be out of whack all summer and will we be able to swim in the pool?  Now I am afraid to add any of the chemicals from the pool opening kit.  Please help, thanks.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 6/10/2011

It is probable that the stain is iron.  We know there is iron present in the water and 0.2 PPM of iron is enough to cause a pool water problem.  First start by adding a dose of a quality Mineral Treatment Product.  This will chelate (complex) with iron and help prevent further staining.  To determine, if the stains can be removed with an acidic solution try this: put a 1/2 pound of pH decreaser in a white sock and drop onto a stained area.  Leave in place for about 10 minutes.  If improvement is seen, as expected, a very practical method of removal would be to use a stain-remover accessory.  This gadget (available at many pool stores) will allow you to siphon an acidic solution onto the stains.  To make a suitable solution: to a 1/2 gallon of water, in a plastic container, add 1 quart of a quality Mineral Treatment Product and 1 quart of muriatic acid.  Make sure that you wear rubber gloves and eye protection!  Use the stain-remover accessory to siphon the liquid onto the stains.  If the area is large you might want to allow the chlorine to bottom out and then add ascorbic acid, as directed.   Give it a day or two, before adjusting the pH or adding chlorine, as necessary.  There is another non-chemical solution, to the problem.  Using the METALTRAP, you can treat all new water, which helps keep new additions of iron and other metals out and minimizes the possibility of staining.  You could, also, use The METALTRAP to recirculate the pool water and lower the iron and heavy metal content, already present in the pool water.  I hope that these instructions will prove helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 7/15/2009

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► Turned Brown?

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 5/19/2005
 

► Rusty-Brown Water?

The area that I live in has iron in the water.  Several times, in the past, I have had the pool water suddenly turned rusty or brown, right after I added some chlorine.  I'm sure that it was because of the iron.  The dealer had me treat the water with a chemical and everything seems to be all right.  Is there something that I can do to avoid it from happening again? 

Betty J., Littleton, MA, 6/2/2004

In all likelihood the dealer had you add a Mineral Treatment, that was a chelating agent.  This complexed the iron and allowed it to remain in solution, without discoloration or staining.  From now on, it is important to add this chemical before any make up water is added.  In addition, I would add some every month, just to make sure that there is an excess.  The iron is still in the water:  it has been chelated and is now soluble and colorless and you want to keep it that way.  Springtime opening: add some more.  Pool closing: add some more.  It may sound like overkill, but it will save you aggravation and the possibility of staining and discoloration problems.  Considering that your water is known to contain iron, there is another non-chemical solution, to the problem.  Using the METALTRAP Filter, you can treat all new water, which helps keep new additions of iron and other metals out and minimizes the possibility of staining.  You could, also, use The METALTRAP to recirculate the pool water and lower the iron and heavy metal content, already present in the pool water.  In the long run you'll probably save money too.  I hope the advice does the trick.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 6/2/2004

► Lots Of Rust?

I sure hope you can help, we just purchased an above ground pool, we live in a small town in Illinois on it's own well system the water is very hard and often has rust (iron oxide) in it.  We filled our pool using this water now we have the rust settled on the bottom of the pool unless it gets stirred up then the water is brown and nasty looking. What can we do to clean the water, we tried vacuuming the bottom but the deposits are like a fine silt and only stirs not vacuuming up.  A rapid response would sure be appreciated my grandkids are so excited they want to get in anyway, but I won't let them.

Diane M., Illinois, 6/11/2009

Avoid adding chlorine and other chemicals right now.  I suggest that you keep trying to vacuum as much as possible through the filter and not to waste.  Try adding a dose of a "Blue" Clarifier; it should help coagulate the particles for easier removal.  Keep the filter operating non-stop.  Try to get as much out as possible and then backwash to waste or clean the filter.  Before adding chemicals, have the water tested for iron.  For each 0.5 PPM of iron or fraction, add a dose of a quality mineral treatment.  Allow to circulate for several hours before adding other chemicals.  When adding new water, try and place the hose in the skimmer to allow the filter an opportunity to remove the suspended iron.   Precede each new water addition with a dose of mineral treatment and add another dose on a monthly basis.  Well water is almost always a problem and there is a better solution, for the problem.  You can use a METALTRAP Filter to pre-treat all new water, which helps keep new additions of iron and other metals out and minimizes the possibility of staining.  You could, also, use The METALTRAP to recirculate the pool water and lower the iron and heavy metal content, already present in the pool water.   Well water can be a challenge and is best when treatment is started early.  Good luck.  I hope that this information is helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 6/11/2009

Alan,  Thank you for your help.  A pool owner in our town said that they add pH minus to their pool after filling it up and that clears it up after a couple of applications.  We put that in last night then an hour later we shocked, will this cause a problem with the Blue?  Thanks once again you are very helpful.

Diane, 6/11/2009

I was trying to help you get the iron discoloration out of the water.  Adding the pH minus will dissolve the iron and it will remain in the water.  The mineral treatment should complex the iron and help keep it in a colorless and soluble state.  You must add the mineral treatment and add enough of it.  Have the water tested for iron! You can add the "Blue" Clarifier, the following day.  Good luck.

Alan, 6/11/2009

► Mineral Stain Avoidance?

I plan on filling a 16,000 gallon vinyl pool with water from my private well.  I know that there is a low level of manganese in the water.  How should I treat the water after I fill the pool up?  I hope that you will be able to offer some advice.  Sincere thanks.

Don C., Westhampton, NY, 6/26/2004

Fortunately, you know that there is manganese in the water.  It would have been helpful to know how much.  Testing for Iron and/or Manganese is very important for planning a successful treatment.  Having lived on Long Island, I know what a problem manganese can be in some pools on the south shore.  Those brown-black stains and discoloration are not great to look at.  In addition to having manganese, it is likely that the water has iron and other minerals.  Manganese is frequently associated with a purplish discoloration or stain.  The incidence of manganese problems, is for the most part, limited to well water or corrosion of stainless steel.  Both iron and manganese can be treated along similar lines.  As the water is being fed into the pool, add 2 quarts of a quality Mineral Treatment for each 1 PPM of iron and manganese present in the fill water.  Adding more is better than adding less.  After the pool has been filled, recirculate the water for an hour.  At this point, you can begin to adjust the overall water chemistry.  The early addition of the Mineral Treatment should spare you from the problems associated with manganese.  Now, there is a better option!  Well water is almost always a problem and there is a better solution, for the problem.  The METALTRAP Filter enables you to pre-treat all new water, which helps keep new additions of iron and other metals out of the pool water and minimizes the possibility of staining.  You could, also, use The METALTRAP to recirculate the pool water, lowering the iron and heavy metal content, already present in the pool water.  The METALTRAP does it all and you may not need any chemicals, depending on your water quality.  Good luck and enjoy the season.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 6/27/2004