Non-chlorine sanitizer and equipment

[PoolDoc]

I bought the Ecosmarte at the urging of the pool builder, even though I told him twice I didn't want it. I can switch to a salt-water system within 60 days, but I wonder if that will interact with all that copper in the water. I've also read on this board that operating a liner pool below Ph 7.0 may damage the liner.

Boy, this is not easy.

It is easy -- once you get away from the bad advice.

I'd strongly suggest you switch to the SWG, but do NOT turn it on till you get the copper out.

• Do NOT lower your pH further.
• Do go get some polyquat, and use it regularly, till you get switched to chlorine.
• Do turn the copper system OFF, and request that the electrodes be removed ASAP.
• Do run your filter & pump 24/7, till the copper's gone.
• Do adjust your return eyeballs so that return water is not directed at any pool surface.
• Do get some Metal Magnet or other liquid stain / scale product, and begin using it at the MINIMUM dose recommended for your pool.
• Do get the bleach calculator, and add *small* 0.5 ppm doses of bleach each evening, till you've got things straightened out.
• Do read the HOWTO in the metal section, about removing metals from your water.
• Do NOT add *ANY* chemicals, other than bleach, stain / scale, polyquat or borax without checking here first.
• Do NOT use any non-chlorine shock, any 'boosters', any other algaecides, etc. ESPECIALLY do NOT use any mystery products with will "really help and solve all your problems"!

Remember that devices like SWG's, ozonators, ionizers, Nature2 units, and the like are marketed to builders as profit boosters, not as solutions to their customer's problems. Be skeptical, very skeptical.

Ben

[markeast]

Just to let you know, I'm following this routine with success while waiting on the pool builder to switch me to a salt water system. The ph is staying around 7.4, and the copper is around .4 (down from .7). The water hardness is around 150 ppm - should I add calcium chloride to make it higher?

[JohnT]

The water hardness is around 150 ppm - should I add calcium chloride to make it higher?

Your only hardness issue with a vinyl pool should be what your heater manufacturer recommends.