Aqua-Doc...please tell me this thing doesn't work

[SoCalBoo]

I was just in the pool store looking at the price of sequesterants to help me with my scale problem (Cal. 450 and rising slowly). The pool store guy (aparently the owner) and got to talking, and he said he might have a solution, but I've got to think outside the box. I was up for it. He shows me these magnet clamps. Aqua-Doc is the product. He says they turned away the salesman for about a year before they finally decided to try the product on his own pool...and it worked.

Supposed to keep scale at bay.

He said you'll see the results after 3 to 4 weeks...no more scale on spillover.

He offered 90 day, no questions asked, full return if it doesn't work.

The product also claims to reduce calcium hardness, which I find even more unbelievable.

So, anyone have any info on this stuff? Already looked online and website is typical snake-oil type stuff. But no reviews I can find anywhere else.

[aylad]

I know nothing about them, never heard of them, but if it sounds too good to be true (and too easy!) it most likely is............

Janet

[SoCalBoo]

Yep, that's why I'm posting. Many here that have been pool owners far longer than I have and have much, much more experience.

Supposed, it works by adjusting polarity in the water. This gave me an additional concern of effects on my SWG.

It mounts at the end of the line, on the return before it goes to the pool.

There has been a push around SoCal where our water is very hard, to not use water softeners because the salt/brine method is ineffecient (roughly 2 gallons of brine waste for every 1 gallon produced) and it pours salty water into sewers which causes issues for treatment plants.

The Aqua-Doc seems to be a product in reaction to this. Looks like the biggest seller is one for the home to soften water as it goes into the home on the main line.

IF it works, it is an intriquing product. Just concerned about the magnetic fields industrial magnets produce, and any effects on electronics/wiring/SWG cells and sensors.

[aquarium]

It's listed at The Bunkhouse as, well, bunk.

Water Magnets

[duraleigh]

SoCal,

If scaling is the issue, keeping your pH in line should prevent that. That CH level should not cause scaling unless the pH has previously been high (above 8.0).

Are you sure it's scaling and not salt crystalization?

[CarlD]

Snake Oil. Skyhooks, smoke-shifters, spirit mediums....A guy just got banned for pushing one of these electro-magnet systems.

They don't work. There's no mechanism for them to work. There's no scientific backing. They are good for moving money from your pocket to the seller's.

Don't let yourself be a pigeon. Save your money and follow Dave S.'s advice: Maintain proper pool chemistry and you won't ever have a problem. It's just not that hard--and we all try to make it a lot easier for you!

Save your bucks for pool toys--and a good test kit!

[SoCalBoo]

Duraleigh, scaling is the issue. I can live with the spillover scaling (but would prefer to not have to ), but don't want to damage my SWG scale and/or wear it out prematurely. Yes, I did have a Ph issue before finding this website and the good folks here, but it has been under control for 3-4 months, and the scaling still occurs. I'm not sure what salt crystilazation looks like, but my salt levels were kind of low up until a few weeks ago, so I doubt that. Also, it slowly came off with diluted muriatic when cleaned, if that helps. I feelin pretty confident it is scaling.

So if my Ph has been good for 3-4 months, should the scaling stop at some point, with a Cal level of 450 or so and slowly rising? If so, then why do I still get the scaling?

CarlD, except for a high calcium level, everything is in check for a few weeks now, and everything buy CYA (it was low) and salt (it was low) has been good for 3-4 months (i.e. FC/CC/TC; Ph; TA).

I am leaning towards high calcium, which means either a sequesterant or drain. Right?