Pool Staining - staining caused by metals in the water are the third largest
pool care concern.  Sometimes pool owners treat the symptom but neglect the cause.

Question:
My question is I have black spots adhering to the sides and bottom of the pool,
they are impossible to remove.  I have a pressure cleaner but this only cleans a tiny
area at a time.   Do you have a solution that would enable me to clean the whole pool? 

Response:
It sounds as if you are dealing with a metal or mineral stain.  If the pool structure is
fiberglass, it's possible that it could be a cobalt stain.  I don't know if your local shops
in Australia have Jack's Magic, but look for it & the Jack's Magic Stain ID kit (we can
ship the Stain ID kit to you).  A secondary product would be BioGuard's Stain Remover. 
Find a local BioGuard dealer who can help you.

When the pool is filled, it will actually be a bit easier to treat.  Make sure that the |
water is properly balanced - pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness.

Question:
We have a 25 year old fiberglass pool.  This summer we had what I thought was a
stain.  With the help of another dealer, we balanced and applied treatments of "Stain
Out" at least three times, with the "stain" coming back each time.  Then they sent me
to another dealer that worked more with fiberglass.

We acid washed and rebalanced only to have the “stain" come back.  It will not brush 
or vacuum off, but you can tell where kids have touched the side with hands or feet.  
Could this be mustard algae and if so, how do I get rid of it?

Response:

I suspect that you have a stain "within" the fiberglass itself.  After 25 years the gel 
coat finish would have begun to "break down" & loose a lot of "gloss" & finish.  ANY 
metals can then get in there & are a relative "permanent" stain.

I am 99.9% sure that it is NOT an algae problem - although the hand & foot print part 
bug me.  Could be due to the natural oils in people's skin.  Not sure.

All that being said, I would recommend treating it as a metal staining issue.  You can 
test this out by using the Jack's Magic Stain ID kit.  It works great in figuring out which 
metal(s) are being problems.  You'll find it in our Pool Water Care section.  With the 
type of stain being narrowed down, you'll be able to properly treat it with the appropriate 
product & have a better chance of removing it.

Keep in mind that the longer that stains are "left" (although it appears you've been 
very diligent in attempting to treat it), the more difficult they are to fully remove.

Follow Up Response:

I did a bit more research this afternoon & it confirmed my thoughts of your stain.  
If the stains look sort of "spider webby" AND because of the fiberglass shell itself, 
the staining is very likely cobalt.  Cobalt (in trace amounts) is typically found in the 
gel coating of the fiberglass.  As the gel coat ages & becomes more "porous" (worn 
is a better word), becomes exposed & is oxidized causing the staining that you see.

Jack's Magic is going to be the best product for you to use in treating the cobalt stain. 
Uses the Stain ID kit to make sure that is the stain, and then treat it appropriately, the 
new cobalt treating product will be up on the website in by Friday.  Be sure to keep the 
water well balanced.

Question:
I resurfaced my pool with diamond bright two years ago.  This summer pool stains on 
walls and shallow end began.  I had a professional come out and remove most stains on 
walls.  However there is a light stain on bottom of shallow end that shows up when sun 
goes down. It is only on bottom of shallow end. Any suggestions?

Response:
What you describe is really typical of many pools in the south.  Iron or "hard water
staining" is really prevalent in Florida. This will be an ongoing issue for you.

Here are a couple of things to do help make it better.  It won't necessarily completely
eliminate the staining, but will certainly help now & in the future.  Staining problems are
a long term issue.

1. Keep the water well balanced all of the time: pH (7.4 - 7.6), total alkalinity (80 -
100 ppm), calcium hardness (200 - 250 ppm).
2. Add a regular dosage of Jack's Magic Blue Stuff.  Blue Stuff will help take care of
the staining now (noticeable results in about 7 - 10 days) & work on preventing further
staining in the future.  Jack's really is the best stuff to use with metal staining.  Use Blue
Stuff monthly to keep the staining away.  Don't skip.
 

Question:
I have iron in my fill water and it oxidized when chlorinated.  I have used nearly every
product I can find to sequester and vacuum iron deposits from the pool.  Each product
had even worse side effects (high level of phosphates cause extreme algae problems). 
Will switching to a non chlorine pool still require me to get rid of the iron in the water?

Response:
You may want to use Jack's Magic Blue Stuff.  No phosphates & a terrific problem solver when it comes to iron & other metals. Non chlorine pool care systems are not going to be a "cure" for the iron in the water.  The iron can still be oxidized by ANY shock treatment or oxidizer. Using Jack's Magic on a regular basis will better control the iron & metals issue.