+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Question on copper system

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Tennesee
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    thanks for your help. I look at the Taylor K-2005 and K-2006 test kit is it the same as blue devil kit because that's what I have . and where do I start on giving up my copper system . Do I try to remove all of the metal . because like you said the real question is I'am not happy with the results.and one more thing last year before I closed my pool I noticed an big rusty stain in the bottom. thanks again for all your help.
    18 x 36 in-ground with Caribbean Clear

  2. #2
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    Hi Satt;

    If you're not happy with it, then that's different. We need to work out a way to transition without making a mess, and without having your pool go through an unusable period. Since you have stains, we need to shift your pool into a stain-lifting mode, and then after we get the metal into solution (in the pool water), we take it all back out, but on the filter and not the sides of your pool. I think we can help you do this, and it won't be terribly hard or expensive, but it will require some attention to detail.

    1. Go ahead and get the K2006. It is NOT the same, and you will need it. It's also NOT the same as the K2005, which is NOT what you need.
    2. Tell me what tests you have in the BlueDevil -- we may be able to use it for some things. Is the chlorine test DPD (turns red) or OTO (turns yellow). We can use the OTO.
    3. Make a list of chemicals you have -- if we can use any of them, let's do that, rather than buying new. (Also, it's usually the best way to dispose of them.) But, I need EXACT mfg and label names, and also any chemical ingredients listed.
    4. Tell me what kind, and size of filter you have, and whether you normally use a time clock or run 24/7.
    5. Does your pool have a deep end? How deep? (We need to calculate gallons.)
    6. Are you swimming yet? If not, when do you want to start?
    7. Do you have ANY equipment besides the pump, filter, and copper unit? If so, what?
    8. What surface do you have in your pool - vinyl, fiberglass, plaster, Diamond brite, etc?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Tennesee
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    surface is vinyl , about 9ft deep so 25000 to 26000 gallons, an I run 24/7 with 300lb sandfilter,I'will give you a list of chemical later when I got home. later today,and I'have not turn on my copper system on , do I need to unwire it ? I do have a automacttic poolcleaner . I plan on swimming around mid may or 1st of june. and the water is just now milky but it was green becouse we had an warmer winter. thanks again for all your help.
    18 x 36 in-ground with Caribbean Clear

  4. #4
    waterbear's Avatar
    waterbear is offline Lifetime Member Sniggle Mechanic waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    St. Augustine, Fl
    Age
    71
    Posts
    3,743

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    Ben, Blue Devil has several kits, both OTO and DPD.
    Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Tennesee
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    My blue devil is an oto kit , ph 7.2-7.4 , chlorine 5 or higher because that as high my test kit goes , ta 120 , cya 0 , calcium 160 , free chlorine unknow , list of chemicals I have are 4 - 1 lb of shock ( calcium hypochlorite ) 67% , 1 - bucket of 3" tablets ( trichloroethane- s- triazine , 5 lbs Bulk Ascorbic Acid Powder that I was going to use to help remove tha stain. Thanks for your help
    18 x 36 in-ground with Caribbean Clear

  6. #6
    ernie1959 Guest

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    [PoolDoc edit --
    removed double post: -- your EcoSmarte defense is where it belongs, in the China Shop
    Please keep further posts on that topic there. ]



    ernieb
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 05-09-2012 at 02:05 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    So is this similar to my Floatron? I used far less chlorine than we expected to the first two years and to us this was fabulous because it was less cost. Plus we have kiddos so we thought less chlorine meant safer water. What your saying in less chlorine is not safer. How come the water stayed so crystal clear the first two years? Because it was a brand new pool and the copper built up over the two years? And b/c it was such a warm winter? Just trying to wrap my head around the science of it.
    23K gal 33' x 4.5' round AG pool -- Hayward 21" Sand Filter w/ 1.5hp pump; PF:5

  8. #8
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Question on copper system

    Quote Originally Posted by cjblanton07 View Post
    So is this similar to my Floatron?
    Same chemistry; different mechanism.

    Copper WILL save chemical costs for pool owners that haven't learned to maintain stable chlorine levels. Algae is the #2 chlorine consumer (next to sunlight) in outdoor pools. Copper is not affected by sunlight, so it doesn't disappear on you the same way chlorine can.

    I have no problem with folks using copper if
    (a) they understand it's not a sanitizer, and won't make their pool safe to swim;
    (b) they understand the stains and green hair problem, and don't mind;
    (c) they have some reliable mechanism for managing their chlorine levels.

    The problem we have here is that many units (like Nature2 or the Frog) may add copper . . . or they may not. So they are inherently unreliable. Also, systems that do work to add copper are often sold as "chlorine free" . . . and as noted, "chlorine-free" = "unsanitary", with the PHMB (Baquacil) systems being the only (sorta) exception. For us, it's easier to tell people, "Just say no", than to explain, and then help them manage the intricacies of a copper system.

    The manufacturers don't do this, because they get better press and better 'testimonials' by running copper alone. Lightly loaded pools treated with copper CAN remain pretty clear. But, copper and chlorine are an uneasy mix, and most pool owners don't know that their pool is unsanitary, so they don't care. When they get sick, with poop to mouth (fecal-oral) diseases, like 'dire-rear' and other GI infections, they don't know that these are commonly transmitted in pools . . . and don't WANT to know that that's how they got sick!

    Grossed out yet? I can keep going!

    Unfortunately understanding pool sanitation involves knowing all sorts of things many people -- other than 13 year old boys -- would rather not know. (There was even a scientific study on the average amount of fecal material added to a pool by the average adult swimmer! I've talked to the guy that did the study, at U Az Tucson)

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Salt Water System GFI Question
    By outinaustin in forum Intex-type Pool Setup & Operations
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-24-2012, 02:55 PM
  2. Borax and Copper, and Heater question
    By Luggon in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-24-2011, 05:18 AM
  3. Salt water magic and Intex salt water/copper ionization system
    By enchantedmountain in forum Salt Generators (SWCG) & other Chlorine Feeders
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-10-2011, 04:37 PM
  4. SNAP system question
    By feeshe in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-16-2006, 06:07 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts