Copper Reading is 1 - do I need to take action?

[mccato]

16x32 vinyl pool, 16,400 gallons. Current Alex readings: (waiting on Ben's kit to arrive)

CYA 151
FC 8.3
pH 7.5
TA 145
Total Hardness 274
Copper 1

Am planning to partial drain to lower the CYA - working on that plan now.

Pool store recommends using "sparkle up" to remove metals. Do I need to do that if the copper reading is 1? I've been using BBB for several weeks and my pool has never looked better. They also want me to use 2 qts of Pool Magnet Plus because the chlorine residual is 1ppm or lower. I don't see that reading on the list, so I don't know exactly what it is, but they say to use that and Chem Out to lower the residual. Seems contradictory to me. It also says to add 6.5 pounds of alkalinity booster. Just wanted to see what you experts thought I should do! Thanks!

[duraleigh]

Well, I'm not sure about the "expert" part but the first thing I would do is disregard all info from the pool store. The biggest problem with it is few of us will know what any of it is. "Sparkle up", "Pool magnet plus", and "Chem out" are all probably very nice but I am completely clueless as to what's in them.

So, #1 question, "How does your water look?" If it looks the way you want it, I would do very little, if anything. Your pH is fine, Alk is OK, FC is fine with your CYA level, and your CYA is quite high but your planning on reducing that, so I think I would go swimming and save gas money on a trip to the pool store.

Your Copper level is the question I can't answer. I have never seen any info on the forum or elsewhere to indicate at what test result level Copper will become a problem. I am curious myself. I can tell you that most products don't remove metals but rather keep them in suspension in your pool.......always there to bug you again when the opportunity presents itself.

[mbar]

First I would agree with all of what duraleigh said - stay away from that pool store - If your water looks good, and there is not any staining, then I wouldn't use anything, unless you know for sure that there is copper in the water. If you know that there is copper, then putting in a sequesterer is good idea, it won't hurt, but it is an unnecessary expense if you don't need it:D

[mccato]

Thanks to both of you. Yes, the pool looks great. Clear as can be. Unfortunately that pool store is the only place I can get my water tested until I get Ben's kit. I couldn't find a decent test kit anywhere in town, and all the 7way kits I found online are out of stock.

I did put a bottle of copper based algaecide in the pool about a month ago; so I guess it's safe to assume that there really is copper in the water. I just didn't know if it will dissipate or not.

[duraleigh]

Ben has indicated in a previous post that copper typically only occurs in a pool if you put it there. So if you've only put it one bottle of algaecide, I can't imagine that being enough to have any significance to your pool chemistry. I think you good to go.

As an aside, can anyone on the forum address the issue of maximum copper levels? Again, I have never seen it posted anywhere so I have no idea if a test result of 60 or .06 is problematic.

For that matter, I'm in the same boat on iron content.....have no idea what test results would be good and what would be bad.

[mbar]

Here is some information about metals in water:

Copper is one of nature's elements. It is also used in the equipment and plumbing in most swimming pools. Copper, in its free state, may also be present in cheaper algaecides (http://www.havuz.org/pool_pool/pool_maintenance/pool_chemicals/other_pool_chemicals.htm#algae).
Corrosive water (low pH (http://www.havuz.org/pool_pool/pool_maintenance/water_testing/ph.htm), low TA (http://www.havuz.org/pool_pool/pool_maintenance/water_testing/total_alkalinity.htm), low calcium hardness (http://www.havuz.org/pool_pool/pool_maintenance/water_testing/calcium_hardness.htm)) caused by improper water balance or misuse of chemicals can cause copper to be dissolved into the pool water. The water supply you use for topping up the pool may also contain high levels of copper, iron and other metals.
The maximum level for copper is 1.0ppm, though lower levels are recommended. At high concentrations, the copper deposits out of the water and onto hair, fingernails or pool walls causing green stains. High levels of copper can also cause green water.
Iron in the pool causes the water to turn brown or green. It can also cause staining of the pool walls. Iron has much the same causes as copper (i.e. corrosive water or high levels in the top-up water). The maximum level of iron is 0.3ppm although iron-free water is desirable.
Copper and iron can be "locked" into the water using chemicals (chelating agents). This prevents the metal from dicolouring the water or staining the pool.
Magnesium and manganese in the water increase the hardness and can cause scale. See also calcium hardness (http://www.havuz.org/pool_pool/pool_maintenance/water_testing/calcium_hardness.htm).