The copper is probably going to stain some unless you can get rid of it with a dilution process.
The plaster is shot. Some of it needs patching. There are some rust stains already in a couple places.
Calcium hypochlorite is the most likely to cause stains.
That's for raising CA levels right? Mine are high currently, so I think this is a moot issue.
Something from Amazon that probably needs to be replaced. Any recommendations on one that doesn't feel like I'm using a medieval torture device?
Is the pool plaster?
If yes, how old is the plaster and what mix is it?
Yes, and I have no idea..... based on what I know about the pool and house, whatever was cheapest when it was last put on.
I'm also a licensed home inspector and a code certified inspector. As is often the case, the cobbler's children run barefoot. When I say I don't think this pool was well built I'm saying that professionally. I fixed safety issues when I bought it.... no GFCI and motors/equipment not bonded. From there I've tried to make things better as I went along and the opportunity came up and I had the money.
I've neglected this pool and hoped to make it zero maintenance the entire time I've owned it. I've also struggled with algae for most of the time I've owned this pool. I've been aware of a high CYA issue for a while, but have resisted draining the pool.
I am sure I am not the first person to arrive on TFP with an Unlimited Free Trouble Pool. At any rate, denial is not a river in Egypt, and I have a pool chemistry issue I'm working on solving. The plaster is shot and I've always been fond of saying you can't break broken.
I'm going to try to kill the algae with SLAM and I'm seriously considering a sand filter with a little DE in it as a lower maintenance filter option. I'm going to try and patch the plaster where some of it has come loose. That will require draining some or all of the water and that's when I think the copper will be vanquished. I now understand not to use it, but at the time it did seem to work. I'm also seriously thinking about using borates as the explanation in pool school makes sense to me.