Bob Lowry Explains the Cal Hypo Stain Mystery

A black stain shows up on the pool floor right after you add cal-hypo and your brain jumps straight to “drain it and acid wash.” We slow that moment down and explain what’s usually happening: copper that was already there, hiding as copper sulfate, getting oxidized by chlorine into black copper oxide. Once you understand that chemistry, you stop chasing the symptom and start fixing the cause. We also get practical about what actually works in pool stain removal and metal control. Ascorbic acid can lift a stain, but it doesn’t remove copper from the water, which is why stains can come roaring back after you chlorinate. We talk through the real role of sequestrants and chelating agents, why they break down from photodegradation and oxidizers like chlorine, non-chlorine shock, UV, ozone, and AOP, and why following the dosing label is the difference between control and repeat stains. If you want a longer-term solution, we cover metal removal options like Q-Lator setups and the blunt but effective drain-and-refill approach, plus better cal-hypo handling so it dissolves instead of sitting on the surface. Then we shift into two “easy to ignore” problems that turn expensive fast: algae and zero chlorine. Algae multiplies by cell division, builds a protective polysaccharide layer, and punishes anyone who waits a week to respond. And when a pool has no chlorine residual, the risk isn’t just cloudy water, it’s bather-to-bather disease transmission. You’ll even hear a simple post-swim warm shower tip to reduce exposure when you’re not sure about water quality. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro or homeowner, and leave a review if it helped you prevent the next stain or outbreak.A bag of cal-hypo can “create” a black stain in seconds, but the real problem is usually hidden copper that oxidizes into black copper oxide. We break down how to remove metals for the long haul, why algae gets out of hand fast, and why a chlorine residual is the only real shield against bather-to-bather disease transmission.  • copper sulfate stains hiding in blue water, then turning black when shocked  • ascorbic acid lifting stains but leaving metals behind  • sequestrants and chelating agents binding metals, then degrading from sunlight and oxidizers  • removing metals with Q-Lator options or by draining and refilling  • preventing cal-hypo from sitting on the pool floor by pre-dissolving and dispersing  • algae multiplying fast, forming a polysaccharide shield, and why brushing matters  • why swimming with zero chlorine raises disease risk and what a warm shower can do after  Learn more at swimming poollearning.com.  If you have the coaching program that offer you can learn more at poolcoaching.com.  Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA  REWARDS Apphttps://hasa.com/hasa-appThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits     [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits