The Blue Stuff is Jack's Magic's copper-specific metal sequestrant, built around a proprietary blend of diphosphonic and tricarboxylic acids. It was developed to outperform standard sequestrants at pulling copper from solution — making it the go-to treatment for pools with heaters, copper plumbing components, or source water high in dissolved copper. It's also the #1 recommended start-up product for quartz aggregate finishes, where unsequestered metals cause permanent staining during the curing window.
Unlike general-purpose sequestrants, The Blue Stuff maintains stability at elevated sanitizer levels, so it keeps working in pools running higher chlorine concentrations instead of breaking down when you need it most.
Blue Stuff vs. Pink Stuff — Which Do You Need?
Jack's Magic makes two sequestrants: The Blue Stuff and The Pink Stuff. Both address metals broadly, but they're formulated for different primary targets. The Blue Stuff is more aggressive with copper stains and scale. The Pink Stuff is more aggressive with iron. If your staining is green or blue-green — or you have a copper heat exchanger, copper plumbing, or have used copper-based algaecides — The Blue Stuff is the right choice. If your staining is brown, red, or rust-colored, look at The Pink Stuff instead. When in doubt, Jack's Magic recommends using their Stain ID™ Kit to identify the metal source before treating.
What It Does
- Sequesters and removes copper from pool water
- Prevents metal staining and scale formation in new pool surfaces during start-up
- Reduces existing stain severity over time in established pools
- Safe for all pool finishes — plaster, vinyl, fiberglass, and quartz aggregate
Active Ingredient
Proprietary blend of diphosphonic and tricarboxylic acids (20–30% w/w). Highly acidic formula (pH 1.37) — handle with appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection) and store in original container.
Dosage
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Initial dose / New pool start-up: 1 quart (32 oz) per 10,000 gallons. In problem water areas, use 2 quarts per 10,000 gallons.
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Weekly maintenance: 6–8 oz per 10,000 gallons per week to maintain the target range of 10–12 ppm.
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Precise dosing: Use a Jack's Magic Sequest Test™ kit to measure actual sequestrant levels rather than estimating. Jack's Magic also publishes a Sequest Dosage Chart for reference.
How to Apply
With the pump running, walk the product around the perimeter of the pool or spa, pouring slowly along the edges as you go. This distributes the sequestrant evenly and avoids concentrated contact with any one surface area. Allow at least 15 minutes of circulation before swimming.
Compatibility
All pool types and finishes. Effective in chlorine and saltwater environments, including pools running elevated sanitizer levels. Do not allow product to freeze. Incompatible with strong bases.
Pro Tip: The 6–8 oz weekly maintenance dose is the manufacturer's estimate for when you don't have test results. If you're managing a pool with known copper issues — especially one with a gas heater or copper heat exchanger — invest in the Sequest Test™ kit and dose to the 10–12 ppm target. Overshooting wastes product; undershooting lets copper fall out of solution and stain surfaces. Measure, don't guess.
Link to Manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet: View SDS (PDF)
