This course is designed to identify the main heavy metals found in pools and how to treat for metals.

1. PC102: METALS
SMART START Pool School

2. METALS IN POOLS
➤ Metals are an uncommon but costly pool problem that can seem to come out of
nowhere. There are three metals that pool owners deal with: copper, iron, and
manganese.
➤ Metals can find their way into the pool from a few sources.
➤ Some source water contains metals; if you suspect metals in your source water,
have it tested for metals. If it tests positive, have a filter installed, if possible.
➤ Corroding equipment can deposit metals into the water. Heaters with copper
exchangers are a common culprit; when acidic water passes around the heat
exchanger, it can start to pit, with the dissolved copper moving into the main body
of the pool.
➤ Off-brand chemicals can be especially sensitive to changes in sanitizer and pH,
causing the metal in them to fall out of solution.
➤ When metals come out of solution, they will tend to present as clear, discolored
water. Eventually, stains can form on the surface of the pool as more metal starts to
build up on the surface.

3. Left: iron staining on pool surface. Right, top: copper in pool water. Right, bottom:
approximation of manganese in pool water.

4. COPPER
➤ Copper is one of two common metals found in pools; in
addition to coming from corroded heat exchangers and source
water, many off-brand algicides contain copper that comes out
of solution when water balance changes.
➤ When copper comes out of solution, it can present as green,
gray, or a bright blue.
➤ Copper will come out of solution in the presence of an
oxidizer (shock); however, it will also come out of solution in
the presence of some balancing chemicals if added in large
quantities.

5. IRON
➤ Iron is one of two common metals found in pools; it tends to
come from source water, although old, corroding equipment
or the use of non-stainless-steel clamps and screws can add
iron to water.
➤ When iron comes out of solution, it can present as green (in
very small quantities), orange, or brown.
➤ Iron will come out of solution in the presence of an oxidizer
(shock). It does not usually come out of solution in the
presence of balancing chemicals.

6. MANGANESE
➤ Manganese is a rare metal found in pool water. It comes from
source water.
➤ When manganese comes out of solution, it will present as red
or purple; once out of solution, it can gradually change to
chocolate brown or black.
➤ Manganese will come out of solution in the presence of an
oxidizer (shock). It does not usually come out of solution in
the presence of balancing chemicals.
➤ The treatment for manganese is different from the treatment
for copper and iron. Follow your water care specialist’s
recommendations to remove manganese.

7. TREATING FOR METALS
➤ Before starting treatment, bring a
water sample to The Pool & Spa
House. The standard water test always
includes tests for copper and iron.
Inform your water care specialist of the
color of the water and if there are any
stains; if stains are present, let your
specialist know how long the stains
have been on the surface of the pool.
➤ If you suspect manganese, ask your
water care specialist to test
manganese.
➤ Let your water care specialist know
if you have added any products
lately that contain metals, like
algicides or certain shock
treatments.

8. TREATING FOR METALS - COPPER AND IRON
➤ Begin by removing any stains from the surface with Stain
Treat or Erase Iron Stain Remover. Stains should lift quickly.
This does not remove the metals from the pool, just from the
surface.
➤ Apply Pool Magnet Plus to the main body of the pool.
Circulate for a minimum of 15 minutes. This will grab onto
the metals, preventing them from staining surfaces. Note that
this does not remove the metals from the pool; if the metals
are not removed from the water, the Pool Magnet Plus will
eventually wear off and cause staining and discoloration
again.

9. TREATING FOR METALS
➤ Pre-mix and add Sparkle Up through the skimmer to coat the
filter media with the Sparkle Up mixture. This will filter out
metals as the water passes through the filter. Circulate for a
minimum of 24 hours.
➤ Note: Sparkle Up is a filter aid. If filter pressure increases
8-10psi above clean pressure before 24 hours have passed,
backwash (sand filter) or take out and rinse filters
(cartridge).
➤ After cleaning the filter with water, chemically clean the filter
with Kleen It to remove residual metals and Sparkle Up from
the filter.

10. MANAGING METALS
➤ For owners who cannot pre-filter source water, regular use of
Pool Magnet Plus can help prevent metals from causing stains
in the pool.
➤ Quarterly filter cleanings using Sparkle Up and Kleen It can
remove any metals that Pool Magnet Plus has sequestered.
➤ The use of a CuLator packet in the skimmer can passively filter
out metals over time.
➤ Avoid using off-brand algicides and sanitizers containing copper.
➤ Perform weekly checks of your water chemistry with a test kit
or test strips; ensure that pH is within the acceptable range.
Test monthly with The Pool & Spa House.

11. THANK YOU!
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