Experience with Solar Pool Ionizers (Copper Colloidalizer) (Phoenix: how much, rating)

[Potential_Landlord]

Hi Neighbors,

I'm about to lose my pool to algae. We had it replastered and refilled and ever since then I have a hard time fighting them. Before I needed just one chlorine tab in the skimmer and it was good year round. Now I have an additional floater with two more tabs and still, it keeps coming back. So I shock it and then they come back again. I added the recommended amount of copper sulfate right after refilling and I use the chlorine tabs with copper. Very frustrating. So now I'm thinking about getting a solar pool ionizer which basically drops more copper into the water. Do you have any experience with these? - What I want is a robust system that ensures the absence of algae and I don't have to constantly watch it. I understand I will still need chlorine tabs and I'm ok with that. I just want my peace from these pesky algae. Will these ionizers last in the brutal Phoenix sun? Thanks.

[LBTRS]

Do you have stabilizer in your pool? The chlorine will not last if you're not using stabilizer along with it.

Have your CYA level checked, I'll bet that is it.

I've had my pool for 9 years and only mess with it every one or two weeks. Never had algae in my pool. I do have a saltwater pool though.

[maverick974]

If you have been using the chlorine tabs then you have been adding CYA which is a stabilizer. If you use the tabs long enough, you will add too much stabilizer and no matter how much chlorine you use, it will be ineffective.
When your chemicals are correct, you shouldn't need anything more than chlorine and perhaps a little muriatic acid to keep the PH in check.
Your pool is not balanced and until you find out why, you can add all kinds of stuff and your water will still turn green.
By the way, when you add copper, it will stain your pool walls and is very difficult to remove.
Find your problem......don't add to it.

[lewdog_5]

How long ago was it drained and refilled?

If you have been consistently using tabs for years, your CYA level will become much too high and the chlorine you're adding will be virtually useless.

[LBTRS]

He said he had it refilled so I was assuming that was recently. Maybe not. It would take a while for the CYA to get to a proper level if just using pucks as the source of the CYA.

If it has been awhile since the refill, too much CYA could be an issue.

Also, I wouldn't be adding copper to my pool water. Chlorine, CYA, and muriatic acid are all you should be adding.

[Ponderosa]

Newly plastered pools push the pH high as the plaster leaches and cures. Eventually this stops, but in the meantime, keep an eye on pH adding acid as needed. If it gets above 7.6 chlorine is ineffective and the algae will take over. Take it easy with the copper. It can stain your plaster.

[Potential_Landlord]

Thanks. Many good points to look into.

[BigEinAz]

Go to trouble free pool.com and learn how to take care of your pool simply and cheaply.