How to Test your Pool for Metals
You've noticed that blue, gray, yellow and/or brown stains are beginning to form around the sides and bottom of your pool? Generally, copper stains tend to be more grayish, blue or purple. Iron is usually yellow and brown, but this can all vary. The first thing you should consider is that you might have copper or some other metal in your water. Thankfully there is Copper and Iron Test Kits that can check for this.How to Test for for Copper in your Pool Water
Dip a strip in the water. Wait 10-15 seconds and compare your color to the color chart. Bingo. That simple. If you do find that you have lots of copper, you might want to add a liquid copper test to your arsenal. If you plan on combating the problem through drainings, re-fills and sequestering and chelation agents, you will want to monitor your progress and a bottle of 25-test strips won't last long.
How to Remove Metal Stains
The magic ingredient for iron metal stains is Vitamin C. You guessed it, Ascorbic Acid. You can actually learn whether or not your stains are caused by metals and not some other type of organic compound, by rubbing a handful of vitamin c tablets on the stained area. If it goes away, bingo. You've most likely got iron stains. Copper stains, unfortunately do not respond as well to vitamin c. Getting rid of the stains is much easier for iron than Copper. At any rate, you will want to find the source of the problem and use the proper ingredients to control it. That means, using Aquacheck Copper Test Strips or Aquachek Iron Strips frequently to monitor your progress.
Once metal stains are removed, they will return unless you regularly use a metal preventative such as chelation or sequestrant agent.