Can copper sulfate be used in swimming pools?

Asked by: Lindsey Anderson

You could pour Copper Sulfate into the skimmer or put it in the pool directly and both ways should work just fine to help clean the pool and get rid of algae.

Is copper sulfate safe to use in swimming pools?

It’s generally safe for swimmers, but because copper sulfate doesn’t evaporate, it should be used sparingly. High concentrations resulting from repeated use can cause staining of the pool liner, the submerged pool equipment, and possibly the skin of anyone who stays in the water too long.

How long after using copper sulfate can you swim?

Wait at least 14 days between treatments. Begin treatment along the shore and proceed outwards in bands to allow fish to move into untreated areas.

How much copper sulfate can I use in my pool?

IN SWIMMING POOLS



To treat and prevent algae and odors, apply 1 tablespoon of Copper Sulfate for every thousand gallons of pool water. This will result in a concentration of 1.0 ppm of dissolved copper. Prior to application, the pH of the pool should be 7.2-7.6.

Can you mix copper sulfate and chlorine?

It’s pretty common to add both chlorine and copper (II) sulfate to pools to keep them clean and control algae. Copper (II) sulfate is purchased as a blue powder, but in pools, it combines with chlorine to form copper (II) tetrachloride, which is very green and known to irritate eyes.

Is copper sulfate toxic to humans?

Eating large amounts of copper sulfate can lead to nausea, vomiting, and damage to body tissues, blood cells, the liver, and kidneys. With extreme exposures, shock and death can occur. Copper sulfate affects animals in a similar way.

How does copper affect pool water?

Even a perfectly balanced swimming pool water can have metal problems. So, copper and iron can colour the water (without making it cloudy) and can cause ugly stains in your swimming pool surfaces? Correct! At its worst, high levels of copper can even stain hair and nails.

Is copper good for pools?

Copper ionization is a safe way to clean your pools. It kills viruses and bacteria including black algae, which is a tougher type of algae. Unlike chlorine, copper ionization does not cause skin, hair or eye problems. It almost completely eradicates the need for chlorine and other pool chemicals.

How do you remove copper sulphate from pool water?

Add a chelating agent to the water in a quantity per the instructions on the label according to pool size and the level of copper sulfate that is present. The chelating agent will bind with the copper sulfate and allow it to be carried away in the pools filtration system.

Does copper stop algae growth?

Copper’s Effect



It kills algae by binding to it, which damages the algae cells, causing them to leak and die. Copper sulfate is highly soluble in water, and copper is a natural, essential mineral. Too much copper is toxic to plants because it prevents photosynthesis.

Why does pool turn green after adding chlorine?

Pools can immediately turn green after shocking when they have metals like copper in the water. These metals oxidise when exposed to high levels of chlorine which makes the pool water turn green. Adding a metal control product such as Zodiac Metal Remover will help to restore the pool water.

How do I add copper algaecide to my pool?

The actual recommended dose is three ounces per 10,000 gallons. So I put about four hours and this pulls about 12,000 gallons.

What happens when chlorine reacts with copper?

The copper reacts vigorously with the chlorine to form a cloud of copper(II) chloride. When the flask is rinsed with water the copper(II) chloride dissolves forming a blue-green solution. and placed in a flask containing chlorine gas. The reaction forms a cloud of copper(II) chloride.

Does copper corrode chlorinated water?

CHLORINE IS CORROSIVE TO COPPER



Unfortunately, it appears that corrosion is caused when the chlorine reacts with the copper piping to create the compound Copper Chloride.

Does copper affect chlorine?

Ideal Levels



However, some pools are equipped with devices, which introduce copper into the pool water in small amounts in an effort to reduce chlorine use and prevent certain types of algae buildup. In these cases, it is recommended that a copper concentration of approximately 0.2 ppm be maintained.