Buffalo Launch Club Blog

Final Pool Update - Pertaining to the stains on the bottom and sides, appearing to look like the pool is “dirty”

Success!  Sunday (July 25^th) throughout the day, the pH was lowered to a 6.0 in order to lower the density of the water to allow it to absorb particles, particularly in our case, iron deposits.  By the end of the day Sunday, the pH was low enough to induce a MetalFree substance which raises phosphate levels to “nuke” the floating metal particles.  Following 24-hours of filtration, a stain-reducing powder (concentrated on multiple stains of metals, be it copper, iron, sulfate, etc.) that is heavier than water itself is spread across the pool in the concentrated areas.  In our case, since it was random across the pool, but not contained to one area, the entire pool was dispersed with this substance.  It then sunk to the bottom of the pool and worked its magic overnight Monday (the 26^th) to break down these stubborn iron deposits on the gunite and release them as free particles into the water.  Because of the induced MetalFree substance previously, these particles, rather than floating to the top and making the water cloudy, it neutralized the iron deposits and converted them into a vacuumable powder at the bottom of the pool.  In our case this was perfect because swimmers were still able to utilize the pool because these chemicals are harmless to bathers and the process wouldn’t be disrupted at the same time either.

Following neutralization of these chemicals, the pool was vacuumed Tuesday morning, Tuesday night, as well as Wednesday morning to be sure that these particles are removed from the pool.  The filter was backwashed and thoroughly cleaned with decomposing chemicals to prevent any lingering particles. 

At the same time, the pH has gradually been brought back up to a 7.2, our bromine composition has remained untouched throughout the process.  Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and other check systems are in desired, recommended, and required levels per the Health Department of NY and general rule-of-thumb of any public pool.

Moving forward, good procedure of opening and filling a pool each year is to disperse a composition of MetalFree in conjunction with other chemicals that we mix in to prevent things like this happening.  Seeing that this is the first time we have ever experienced any sort of metal deposits, adding a dose of this chemical at the start of each year should always deter this problem from ever coming back.

I of course apologize for the few days that the pool was closed.  I’m glad that we were able to rectify the issue without draining and refilling the pool which would have taken upwards of a week to complete, but we were able to keep the pool open as much as possible for your enjoyment.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact myself, Jim, Jessie, or any of the lifeguards.

Thanks,

Ron

– Pertaining to the stains on the bottom and sides, appearing to look like the pool is “dirty” and the Main Pool Closure July 19^th:

Pool Update

Leslies Pools and Spas tested our water sample and found no traces or problems in our water.  Clarity was crystal clear, Bromine was perfect, pH is at the desired level, alkalinity is right in range, calcium hardness in in perfect check, there is not one issue with the pool water.  In addition, they were provided with pictures of the stains on the pool base and sides.  Based on the conclusion of the water test and pictures and the fact that the pool water temperature has been float between 84-86 degrees, their suggestion to us was that the stains on the bottom must be a form of an algae, commonly known as yellow algae, or mustard algae.  I was provided with instructions and the chemicals to remove this contaminant from our water.  Instructions were to bring the pH to a level of 7.0, keep the bromine at a level of 1.0, add a dosage of “Yellow Out” at a rate of 2lbs per 15,000 gallons of water, and following supershock the pool with “Chlor Brite” at a rate of 2lbs per 15,000 gallons as well.  Following filtering and vacuuming the pool 24 hours later, procedure practice is to supershock the pool again, at a rate of 1lb per 10,000 gallons and vacuum the pool again.  Following this, bring your pH back up to a desired level and adjust your bromine to the accepted level.

This procedure has been taken out and followed to a perfect T.  As a result, the stains still remain on the bottom of the pool and untouched by the chemical treatment.  As I had expected, the results were inconclusive as I don’t believe we have an algae stain, but more an iron stain.  Even though there is no iron or metals present in our water at the time of the test, when the pool was originally filled after the acid wash that took place this year, iron deposits are commonly found in fills of the pool just from the pipes in the ground that provide the water.  As it was such a small amount, that provides reason as to why a test of the sample water wouldn’t have it. 

Iron deposits work as such, they are free floating in the water.  The water is like a sponge.  As you raise the pH, you add more density to the water (the sponge).  As the water becomes more dense, the metal particles have no where to go but to be squeezed out of the dense water (full sponge) and attach themselves to a surface (the sides and the bottom).  Because our pH sits at a 7.2-7.4, that is the density as to where the water can not become any more dense, and that is actually the key to a crystal clear pool (as what we have today).  In order to remove the metal deposits on the bottom of the pool, the pH must be lowered, to a level of 6.0 where the water is not as dense (the sponge is more absorbent at a 6.0 versus a 7.2).  The pool water is then treated with an acid which removes and deactivates the metal particles in the pool water by raising phosphate levels.  Following the addition of this acid, the pool is vacuumed and filters are thoroughly cleaned and backwashed to remove the deactivated metal particles to waste.  Following the successful removal of the metal particles, the pH is then brought back up to our desired level (of a 7.2) gradually to avoid shock to the water.

It is without a doubt that I feel 100% sure that this problem will be corrected and we can move forward with a crystal clear bottom and beautiful water.  To reassure, the pool water IS NOT DIRTY or contaminated at this time.  It is a contained substance that does not harm the waders or swimmers of the pool at this time, or even before the problem has developed and was identified. 

Our plan is to take corrective action in lowering the pH throughout Sunday to close the pool again Monday to chemically treat the water to remove these iron deposits/stains.  If poor weather is in check for the remainder of the week throughout the weekend, the plan will be to take the steps to correct the water to minimize downtime utilization to the pool.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact to Jim, Jessie, or myself.

Thanks,

Ron

Harry G. WINTER   |   Visit Guest Book

WINTER - Harry G. July 17, 2010, devoted father of Paul H. Winter and Gail W. (Richard) Pisa; loving grandfather of Lauren (Benjamin) Rushford and Richard (Amie) Pisa and great-grandfather of Cadence, Liam, and Faith; dearest friend of Monika Siepa. The family will receive friends at the C. Mertz & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 911 Englewood Ave. Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the S.P.C.A. Interment at the family mausoleum in United German & French Cemetery.

Published in the Buffalo News from July 18 to July 19, 2010

Non basin slip holders will be welcome in the basin as transients before & after the season for dinner or special events (1-3 nights) with NO charge. Extended transients will be charged $25/week ($4/day) to cover utilities.

DETIG - Carl R. December 13, 2009, beloved husband of Pamela D. (nee Simmons) Detig; dear brother of Mary (Harry) Lang and the late Judith (John) Mersmann; loving uncle of Michael Krywcum, Jeffrey Krywcum, Cynthia Mersmann, Nancy Krajewski, John Mersmann, Carol Walker, Betsy Ulmer, Mark Lang, Karen DeMeester, James Simmons, John Simmons, Jason Simmons and Jennifer Wright; son-in-law of Evelyn Simmons; brother-in-law of Allan (Linda) Simmons and Gail (Ronald) Krywcum. The family will receive friends at the C. Mertz & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 911 Englewood Ave, Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 9 AM and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stephen’s Church at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Arthritis Foundation of WNY. Carl was a member of the Buffalo Launch Club of Grand Island, NY and Service Coordinator for 25 years with Mike Smith Buick - Pontiac Lockport, NY.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=137313498