How to Treat and Prevent Metals and Staining

If there is staining on the liner, fibreglass, or concrete in the pool that is dark and not able to be removed by scrubbing, it may be evidence of metals in the water. This may also cause the water to turn an abnormal colour. Metals can reside in pool water because of metal foreign objects entering the water (such as pennies or other coins), copper piping and fittings, the use of Copper Sulphate to clear algae, copper based algaecides, source water, or when water balance problems cause your heater to corrode. It is best to bring a water sample to Buds as soon as the staining or discolouration occurs so that appropriate measures can be taken as soon as possible..

Filters should be cleaned or backwashed before adding chemicals to treat metals. Allow chlorine/bromine levels to drop below 2 ppm or the chemical may not work effectively. This may risk the water turning cloudy or growing algae, but this is something that can be treated after.

Metal Stain Colour Water Colour
IronOrange-reddish stainYellow/brown
CopperBlue-green to black stainBlue/green or black
  • 1.

    Bring in a water sample to be tested. Always do a bucket test before adding the balancing chemicals to the water. Take a 20L bucket and fill it with pool water. Then take one cup of the chemical you want to add to the pool and dump it into the bucket. If the water changes colour in the bucket DO NOT add the chemical to the pool. If nothing happens it is safe to add the chemical to the pool.

  • 2.

    Make sure pH is at 7.2 and chlorine is at 2ppm or lower in order to continue.

  • 3.

    Add required amount of Meta Ban to the water and then wait 24 hours.

  • 4.

    Add Klear-Sok to skimmer for sand filter or use Sparkle with a cartridge filter then wait 24 hours.

  • 5.

    Add Zap and then wait 24 hours.

  • 6.

    Backwash for 5 minutes or rinse cartridge

*Once copper has lowered to or started at 4ppm or below and pool has been balanced properly use The Eliminator Pouch.

  • If the stain is not treated almost immediately, it is inevitable that some stains will become permanent.

  • If it is determined by water analysis that there is no presence of metals in the water, this staining could be organic (caused by elements of nature) [or that the metal has come out of solution]. Brushing daily or after your weekly shock treatment. This stain may lift over time through daily brushing and regular shock treatments.

  • It is recommended to add 30 ml of STAIN PREVENT per 10 000L of pool water on a weekly basis, or salt revise monthly for salt pools, especially to pools with heaters and/or salt chlorinators, in order to prevent against metal presence and staining.

*Always ensure pump and filter systems run continuously.

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