SWG and Brick Coping

[coolbeverage]

I have read a few things about this but cannot seem to get a clear answer.
Our pool has brick on the top that i think is called coping. I just ordered a Circupool Universal40, and was researching how much salt i need to buy when i came across a few threads that mention brick being an issue with salt. Since SWG is so common, and so is brick, i wanted to ask the group if this is a bad idea.
Here are some photos of the brick.

Is there a concern?

Also, at the pool store they measured TDS at 1500, is this my starting point for salt additions, or do i need to get a salt specific test? Can I just install the cell and let the meter on that tell me when i have added enough, if i do it slowly enough and wait 24 hours between additions?

Thanks!!!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I see no problem with your coping and a SWG. Go for it!

TDS is EVERYTHING in your water- calcium, salt, CYA, blah blah blah. Its often a scare tactic used by pool stores to get you to drain and refill when they can't figure out what to do to fix your water (that they usually are the ones who messed it up)

You need a Salt Test- Taylor K-1766 salt test to determine how much to add. Remember that every chem you've ever added has left behind trace salt. SO you do have some in there already. Test before adding more.

Maddie

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Brush that salt around if that's what I'm seeing on your stairs. Get it dissolved and don't turn the SWG on for at least 24 hours after adding salt in big quantities.

 

[JamesW]

Is that the original color of the plaster?

 

[coolbeverage]

I believe the plaster has been painted at some point, there are inconsistencies in the color throughout the pool, its particularly bad on the steps where it looks like a lot of the new(er) paint has been lost. There is a bit of a speckled look in some areas. I think that they were going for dark bottom, and just didnt do a great job, but i have no way to know. The pool guy said its fine, and no problems with the pool, but i really dont know much. he has since been let go since i am taking care of things myself, and it is thanks to him that i have a very high level of CYA and had to change out over 50% of the water recently.

 

[coolbeverage]

more pics of my wacky paint job in case there is some horrible news you all want to give me.

 

[JamesW]

That looks like really serious copper stains, not paint.

Are you sure that it's paint?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Good lord! I thought I was seeing the salt being added..... time to get my eyes checked. <sigh>

 

[coolbeverage]

Im not sure of anything, its got a patina for some reason thats all i know

 

[JamesW]

Looks like copper stains.

What type of filter do you have?

If you have a cartridge filter, can you show a picture of the cartridge before you clean it?

If it's a sand filter or de filter, watch for blue green or turquoise color in the backwash.

Did the pool ever have a heater?

 

[coolbeverage]

Cartridge filter yes. Tests from the store show no metals. There is a daypack rp2100 installed but the gas line was cut several years back due to a leak. This staining is old whatever it is. Probably prior mismanagement. I recently dumped about half the water to bring down cya to acceptable levels.

 

[JamesW]

I think that the stains are copper.

The heater's heat exchanger is probably dissolving and dumping copper in the water.

Is the cartridge blue when you clean it?