I have an 18 by 36 inground pool with deep end and I use chlorine to maintain. I have a Raypac heater and a Nature 2 chlorinater with the mineral cartridge. This is only my 3rd summer with the pool and at the beginning of the season I noticed greeny blue staining around my steps and vinyl walls at the water level. I should note that I replaced the Nature 2 cartridge at the beginning of the year as well. I had my water tested for copper and the levels are high 0.7 - 1. They said it is probably my heater exchange but I also read it could be the Nature 2 system cartridge. The blue staining is gone and has not returned but I am seeing brownish stains appearing on my liner.
I removed the cartridge and added an inhibitor to keep the copper from any further staining. Question is, how do I know if it is my heater or the cartridge?
I was thinking of lowering the water and then filling back up the pool...and if the copper levels return to being high...then I know it is the heater. It really irritates me that it could be my heater since it is only 3 years old and only used about 10 times. Any thoughts on this?
Also:
If it is the heater, I was told to run a bypass so the water does not always run through the heater? Any thoughts on this...is a bypass usually done?
If it is the heater, do I replace it or keep it until it completely fails?
What happens with my water if the copper levels are high when I close my pool?
What is the best way to remove the copper stains...I was told citric acid or vitamin c tablets?
Please help...I am wishing I never got this pool!
I removed the cartridge and added an inhibitor to keep the copper from any further staining. Question is, how do I know if it is my heater or the cartridge?
I was thinking of lowering the water and then filling back up the pool...and if the copper levels return to being high...then I know it is the heater. It really irritates me that it could be my heater since it is only 3 years old and only used about 10 times. Any thoughts on this?
Also:
If it is the heater, I was told to run a bypass so the water does not always run through the heater? Any thoughts on this...is a bypass usually done?
If it is the heater, do I replace it or keep it until it completely fails?
What happens with my water if the copper levels are high when I close my pool?
What is the best way to remove the copper stains...I was told citric acid or vitamin c tablets?
Please help...I am wishing I never got this pool!