Maintenance of a Copper / Oxygen Pool
I want to explain how easy it is to maintain a Copper / Oxygen swimming pool. Whether you maintain your pool yourself or outsource it, this article will help you see the amazing cost avoidance a Copper / Oxygen pool owner enjoys.
JUST ONE CHEMICAL TO GET STARTED.
A Copper / Oxygen pool owner’s first objective is to increase water hardness to 300-400ppm using Calcium Chloride. Here is my first cost savings tip: Calcium Chloride is frequently used to melt ice on sidewalks. You can buy pure Calcium Chloride from Walmart or your local hardware store far cheaper than a pool store. You will need one pound of calcium chloride to increase hardness by approximately 80ppm per 1,000 gallons of water.
Why are we increasing water hardness?
Increasing water hardness helps stabilize the Copper ions that are crucial for the system’s anti-bacterial and anti-algae functions. Hard water prevents the Copper from forming unwanted precipitates (an insoluble solid) that could reduce its effectiveness. In return, Copper ensures the calcium remains in a soluble, non-scaling form that keeps the pool water balanced and protects pool surfaces and equipment from scaling issues. This adjustment to water hardness also helps maintain proper pH and prevents excessive mineral buildup, supporting the overall efficiency and longevity of the system.
JUST TWO CHEMICALS FOR WEEKLY MAINTENANCE.
A Copper / Oxygen pool owner’s next objective is to maintain pH in the water between 6.8 and 7.2 because Copper works best at Neutral pH (7.0). This is a weekly obligation. There are two chemical options to choose from.
Option 1 is to inject CO2 into your pool using the Automated Copper / Oxygen System. This is the best option because if you accidentally overdose your pool, CO2 can’t lower your water below 6.7pH. You will need a CO2 tank for this, which is easily purchased from your local welding supply store. You’ll buy your initial tank for approximately $245, then simply pay for refills which are approximately $30 for a 20lb CO2 tank. These 20lb CO2 tanks last ~ 4-6wks placing your cost of this option at approximately $6 per week.
Option 2 is to pour muriatic acid in your pool, which is your only choice if you have the Standard or Turbo Copper / Oxygen System. Muriatic acid is easily purchased at your local hardware store for ~ $9 per gallon. You can accidentally overdose your pool with muriatic acid, so please be sure to test your pH daily as you get started, to dial-in how much acid is appropriate every week. Also, the amount of acid required may be different when the pool water is above 90F degrees versus below 90F degrees, or even below 80F degrees. With Muriatic acid, you’re going to have to keep good notes on the effective dosage level per season of the year.
Chemical number 2, Phosphate Remover. A Copper / Oxygen pool owner’s 3rd and final objective is to maintain Phosphates below 100ppb (that’s parts per billion). Phosphates are a nutrient to algae. You keep this close to zero and Algae has little to live on. Regardless of your pool sanitation system, Phosphates are your big enemy. These continuously enter your pool water from the environment, whether from leaves, grass, dust, bugs, pets, people, etc. Be diligent with measuring your Phosphates and keep suppressing them with a Phosphate Remover.
There are several Phosphate Removers on the market and the best source is an online retailer. Are you detecting a trend from me? I keep steering you away from pool supply stores. They make a ton of money from pool chemicals, which is why they suppress awareness of the Copper / Oxygen system I promote. I get my preferred Phosphate Remover for ~ 0.63 cents per ounce that I buy from a well-known online retailer named after a famous river in Brazil. Please contact me if you want the actual product details. The product is amazing.
WHAT ABOUT TIME SPENT ON POOL MAINTENANCE?
I maintain my pool myself and my weekly time investment is 30 minutes on Sunday morning. I recently released a video sharing my process, so please check it out. If you outsource maintenance, most maintainers also spend ~ 30 minutes on your pool no matter what type of sanitation system you employ. The Pool Service Providers (PSPs) always include chemical costs in their monthly bill to maintain your pool. A Copper / Oxygen pool allows you to renegotiate your monthly maintenance fee down because of the dramatically lowered chemical consumption that you just read about above. No more chlorine, salt, shock, or clarifiers. If you want to estimate your cost savings in this area, you’ll have to ask your PSP how much of your monthly bill goes towards chemicals. They’ll likely low-ball this dollar amount, but it’s a savings nonetheless.
IN SUMMARY
As a Freshwater pool owner using Copper / Oxygen sanitation, you're buying three chemicals: Calcium Chloride, Muriatic Acid or CO2, and Phosphate Remover. Your weekly chemical costs will plummet, generating tangible savings. With cost of living climbing at a painful rate, this may be a wise time to upgrade your swimming pool.