A metal sequestrant in pools hold onto metals in the water thus preventing them from staining pool surfaces. It’s typically recommended for metal-infected cases. It works on metals such as manganese, copper, iron and many more. Metals like this are common in well water.
When Do You Use a Sequestrant?
Metal sequestrants are advised to be used only when you’re faced with a metal problem. The only situation where sequestrants are to be used as a general protection is when fresh plaster is applied, as metal stains on brand new plaster cannot be removed.
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What are the Best Pool Metal Sequestrant Products?
Sequestrants based on phosphonic acid, phosphonic acid derivatives, or HEDP are the most effective.
The top sequestrants are:
- ProTeam’s Metal Magic
- The Blue Stuff (fresh plaster)
- The Purple Stuff (salt)
- Jack’s Magic The Pink Stuff (regular)
You can also find many other brands with similar active ingredients, some of which are noticeably less expensive.
What Chemical is Usually in Seqestrant?
HEDP (Hydroxyethylidene Diphosphonic Acid) is often listed in ingredients as Etidronic acid. It may also be listed as 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid.
You should avoid sequestrants that mix in other chemicals like polymers.
HEDP is an organophosphate metal sequestrant, which is not a nutrient for algae. The Purple/Blue/Pink Stuff can break down into an orthophosphate, which is a nutrient and can trigger algae blooms (unless chlorine levels are kept high enough).
Can Sequestrant be Filtered?
Sequestrants can be filtered out of the water by filter media that gets rid of particles 10 microns or smaller in size.
This would include D.E. and Zeolite filter media.
Does Phosphate Treatment Effect HEDP Sequestrant?
No, it won’t. Phosphate treatment will only get rid of orthophosphates, not organophosphates.
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