Newbie with a 21' AG pool, wondering about copper

[The Frant]

Well here comes another pool newbie who will probably have plenty of questions. I know that I will need some knowledge to free myself from the pool company cartel.

So last summer my wife surprised me with a a 21ft round above ground pool with a canister filter. (Surprise!) She also said that her and the kids will take of it and I won't have to do anything but enjoy it. Unfortunately that didn't happen. It was green most of the time. So this year I'm taking over and re-starting the pool.

Over the week end we drained and cleaned the pool. That was disgusting! At the bottom there was about 2-3 inches of the most foul smelling green slime but it was more like pudding. But it is now clean and about filled with hose water.

So before I made the trip to the pool store to have them empty my wallet, my wife's sister told her that all she does to the pool is chlorine and root killer (copper sulfate i believe). So before I did anything I was not sure about, I did what any sane person would do, searched the internet. And I've wound up here.

Now I'm reading lots of posts and trying to figure out how to care for my pool.

[PoolDoc]

Copper sulfate root killer *IS* an effective algaecide; it is NOT a sanitizer. But if you maintain high levels of copper (2 ppm CuSO4 or 0.5 ppm Cu), you will prevent almost all algae. You will ALSO stain concrete pools and turn light colored hair greenish. You know your pool and your swimmers: if that's a problem for you, don't use it.

If you use copper, you have to keep the pH lowish -- 7.0 - 7.4 and NEVER shock. Shocking high copper pools can precipitate black copper oxide, instead of greenish blue copper carbonate or copper chloride, and will stain even vinyl pools.

It's possible though. Maintain low pH, low chlorine, and low stabilizer (7.0 - 7.4; 0.5 - 2 ppm, 20 - 40 ppm). We don't recommend it. It's almost as cheap to follow the BBB method (chlorine + stabilizer + borax) and not nearly so 'twitchy'.

Either way, you need accurate testing. People do operate like your sister-in-law without it, and a portion of them get lucky and avoid problems. But the only way to avoid problems, without depending on random luck is to test accurately and manage your chemistry. It's not that hard, but there is a learning curve. We can help with that, if you're willing.

Check out the test kit page, linked in my signature. You'll need a K2006 (A or C model) and also a copper kit, if you want to run copper.

Good luck!

[PoolDoc]

PS: Post your filter model, so we can point you to a correct replacement cartridge. If you clean them properly, you need 2 -- one in the filter and one in the tank. See http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/18044

Make SURE you do not get an Asian made filter. And, if your pool is an Asian made soft-side pool, you'll need 2 cartridges -- it will make life much easier for you.

[The Frant]

I am going to be using the BBB method. Not that I don't trust my sister-in-law, but I had read too many possible negative things about using copper, so i'll skip it. I like using methods that others have been proven to work for most people.
Right now I have the HTH 6 test kit but will be ordering my test kit later today. I did my tests last night, but I forgot to bring in the paper where I wrote my results. But if I remember correctly, PH was high at 8, TC was almost 0, TA was 140 and I don't remember the rest. I treated the pool for chlorine and PH last according to the pool calculator, bleach and muriatic acid. I think I read that I should worry about getting the chlorine and PH in line first then deal with the others. I did stock up on all my grocery store chemicals, bleach, borax, baking soda, muriatic acid. That way I'm ready for anything.

When I get home I'll find the model of the filter so that I can have a clean filter ready to swap. I'm an IT guy so I like having swappable parts.

I did have one last thing I wanted to ask about before I did it. I have an old aluminum truck box in the back yard and was thinking about storing my chemicals in it. It has been there for a while and has never had any water in it. But it is in the sun. Is it OK to store my stuff in it?

[Watermom]

Sounds like you are learning how to take care of your pool the BBB way! Good decision to order the good kit. That will make things easier for you. As far as storing your chemicals ---- you want to store them in a cool dry place so the truck box in the sun is not a good choice.

Hope you enjoy being a part of our forum!

[BigDave]

I'd like to add that storing Muriatic Acid in the aluminum box may be a pretty poor choice as the HCL fumes are corrosive. Take a look at Using Muriatic Acid to Safely Lower Your Pool's pH. It has good advice for handling and storing MA. I put the bottle in a bag and close it, put the bag in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid that seals and then I put the bucket in a 20 gallon garbage can with a lid that shuts tight.

[The Frant]

BigDave, I will take your advice about storing my chemicals. The only indoor place I have store it would be in my garage, but my son's room is right above it. I've always been careful about what work I do in the garage, cleaning products, paint, stains, etc. I do have a 20x20 wooden shed with 16 ft roof. It one of those barn type sheds with the asphalt shingle roof. It does get rather warm in there. Would that be better or am I being too cautious?
He's my oldest but i've got two others just like him.

Also while cleaning out the pool, i noticed that I have small white grit on the sides of the pool. I have not had a chance to pick some off and vinegar test it. I'm adding that to my list of problems to resolve.