Grounding or sacrificial anode or both

[sag365]

Is seems the general consensus is to install some kind of sacrificial anode (zinc) when using a SWG. I have already ordered a zinc plate that fits in the skimmer basket. It was $25 and is probably a good investment.

My question is, I have a small overflow drain in my skimmer that I could use to chase a copper ground through and outside onto an 8ft grounding rod. It would come over the overflow and dangle in the water. Is this a good idea? Will it accomplish the same thing as the sacrificial anode?

Thanks.

 

[trbvm]

@sag365, you may want to read this post about using the zinc plate in the skimmer (#8) .. the zinc plate is actually of no use, IMHO. Having a path for the electrons to flow is the best bet. Alternately, you can add an inline zinc sacrificial anode into your pipes itself (see my post here)

 

[sag365]

OK. So can I do this. I will bury the zinc anode in the ground and run the copper wire up through the skimmer overflow and just dangle the copper ground wire in the skimmer water. Will that work?

 

[chem geek]

No that will not work. You MUST electrically connect your zinc sacrificial anode to the metal you want protected in the pool. Since all metal in contact with water in the pool is supposed to be connected to a bonding wire, you can connect your zine anode to the bonding wire.

Note that most SWCG pools do not use anodes and do not have serious corrosion problems. They definitely do occur, but it depends on the pool. If you have high-quality stainless steel and you have a curpo-nickel or titanium heat exchanger in your gas heater, then you are at much lower risk than if you have low-quality metals (including aluminum in contact with the water, say from an automatic pool cover) or a copper heat exchanger.

 

[sag365]

Hmm. Thank you.

I have no metal in the pool apart from the pool light. Both hand rails are out of the water and no ladder. Heat exchanger is titanium. Not sure what, if any, besides maybe springs in the check valves have metal in them.

 

[chem geek]

Well then I wouldn't worry about metal corrosion from the higher salt levels needed for the SWCG. You can always take a look at your pool light ring and see if you notice any change over time.