Help!!! New pool owner with copper levels at 1!

[PoolDoc]

Hi Smoovie;

I guess the first thing you need to know is that, here at the PoolForum, we're not very enthusiastic about using copper in pools.

The reasons are fairly simply:

• copper is a good algaecide, but is NOT a sanitizer.
• chlorine -- which is BOTH a sanitizer & a good algaecide -- is STILL necessary.
• copper + chlorine = stains!
• if you use chlorine properly (ie, BBB method), copper does not produce ANY savings.

Bottom line: we'll help you run your pool well without copper, but if you want to try to continue to use copper in your pool, we can't help.

That settled, do this:

• run your pump & filter 24/7.
• keep your chlorine below 2 ppm for now.
• adjust your pH to just below 7.2 (add acid to reach 7.2, and then add a little more!).
• turn off your ionizer and REMOVE the copper elements from the water.
• once you've removed the elements and removed / turned off ALL other feeders, etc) use trichlor tabs IN THE SKIMMER to maintain 0.5 - 1.5 ppm chlorine.
• wait 5 days, and add a dose of Jack's Pink Stuff (undiluted HEDP).
• brush the stained areas daily.
• continue using polyquat 60 maintenance doses 2x per week.
• after a week, clean your filter and then begin using BORAX to slowly raise the pH to 7.8. Do NOT increase the pH more than 0.2 units per day. DO continue running the pump and filter 24/7.
• Hold at pH 7.8, and then retest for copper. If you are below 0.2 ppm, add another dose of pink stuff, a winterizing dose of polyquat, and close your pool. Otherwise, report back here.