Hello.
I found this page through google searches of my various problems. One problem I noticed addressed is when people are getting data from pool store testing and being mis-directed on how to balance their pool chemistry.
We purchased our home spring of 2018. It has an existing original pool from 1974. So it has two inlets and two returns that are not very well located. I was doing fairly well balancing the pool without much testing. Just by keeping a strict regiment of maintenance liquid chlorine and occasional small doses of algaecide and clarifier. Fast forward to July 2023, my son who swims in a speedo rash guard short, started to get a rash and blistering under his bathing suit. Soon after, the toddler cousins who frequent our pool also started getting painful rashes. I felt terrible that they were in pain due to something going on with my pool chemistry. 5 1/2 seasons with no issues and suddenly I have crying children beside my pool. This prompted me to take my water in to be tested. I was there told that my copper/metals were 3.1 ppm. That the metal was not allowing my ph level to rise, making the water acidic and harmful to some with sensitive skin. Since this time I have spent countless rounds of time and money to remove the copper level from the pool in order to be able to balance the chemicals. Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of time. We even tried on various occasions to do partial empty and refill. The lowest we were able to get our copper/metal count was 2.0 ppm. Due to frustration we have closed the pool early and opened it late for the last two seasons. Opening it late this year, due to an extremely warm month of March, meant that it was a black cesspool upon opening.
This year upon opening (4/23) we put in 8 gallons of chlorine, and I believe a 32 oz bottle of a 3.3% copper algaecide to treat the black algae. Over the course of two desperate weeks I put an additional 2 bottles of the algaecide as well as more than 15 # of HTH shock.
Thursday May 8th, I took water in to be tested as it had gone from black/green, to a cloudy pale teal. I was then told the copper was 2.0 ppm and given a series of actions - Metal out, sparkle up, change filter sand, kleen it, Ph up, shock, and Flocc. Over Mother's Day weekend I did all of these things. We did have a heavy rain on Sunday the 11th. On Monday May 12th, after flocc, I expected to wake up to a break through. I woke up to no change at all. I immediately took water in for testing and now my copper was at 2.6 ppm.
Thursday, May 8th - Copper 2.0ppm - pH6.9 - Total Alkalinity 33/42 - Calcium Hardness 46 - Optimizer 0 - Free Chlorine 0.2 - Total Chlorine 2.5 - CYA 29 - Phosphate 4,000+
Monday, May 12th - Copper 2.6 ppm - pH 7.0 - Total Alkalinity 33/43 - Calcium Hardness 58 - Optimizer 1 - Free Chlorine 0.1 - Total Chlorine 1.2 - CYA 35 - Phosphate 4,000+
As you can imagine, the mom & pop pool store employee who has been on this journey along with me, is just as baffled as to why the treatment plan she's giving me is not working. She has advised she will be sending a sample of my pool water off to their chem rep as well as asking the owner if they can offer me any discounts going forward as I have already spent/done so much.
Other info - We live about 500 ft from a large lake that is our town's water supply, as well as about 500 ft from a golf course. We have a French drain along the edge of our pool and water sheds away from pool well, so no run off. No neighbors who use fertilizers or other pools or ponds nearby, except for marsh areas along lake. No metal ladders or other accessories in pool water, no heater, no copper ionizer, pvc/vinyl pipes, no leaks in liner, gets covered with a mesh cover in winter. *I have spoken with a city director for park and rec that manages the golf courses, pool, and other various recreational facilities in my area. He is putting out some inquiries as to anyone who may have any input on my sudden copper issue with the timeline given.
I am eager to get back to basics with my pool. I am incredibly un-interested in chemistry. I do have a Taylor test kit, I'll have to dig it out to see which one, (edited to add it's a Taylor K2005) and I am incredibly intimidated by it. I do know that in order to go forward I will need to become familiar and comfortable with doing my own testing. I do homeschool my teens and I am hoping to incorporate the lesson for us together in hopes that one of them has a better knack for it than myself. It's amazing how I am going into my 8th season as a diy pool owner and I am still needing to learn and re-learn so much. I have said that with my inattentive ADHD, I am remaking a lot of mistakes year after year, unable to remember what did not work in previous years and spinning my wheels. That being said, we have agreed to not close our pool any more. If we can get this all sorted this year, we will stick with it remaining open through our mild winters.
If you're still reading, I greatly appreciate your time! I would also like to add that our 50 year old pool came with our 50 year old house. We are on a fixed income as my Husband is a medically retired combat veteran. He is nearly housebound, and we have sunk every spare penny into upgrades to enjoy our backyard. It is his sanctuary as he does not do well leaving home. I would very much like to end this nightmare and begin providing him a peaceful space once again.
Thank you all for reading.
Rachel
P.S.
I did put data in my signature as I had noted was valuable to others. If there's more data I should add, please advise. Thank you.
www.troublefreepool.com
www.circupool.com
