Is Copper a Friend or Foe in Your Pool? – Bob Lowry Explains

Copper promises a cleaner pool with less work, but the chemistry tells a different story. We walk through what copper really does well—suppressing algae at low levels—and where it falls short, especially on fast disinfection and heavy oxidation. If you have ever wondered why water looks clear but still isn’t truly safe, or why blond hair turns green after a weekend swim, this conversation connects the dots and gives you a plan you can trust.We break down mineral and ionizer systems on the market, the narrow gap between effective copper dosing and staining, and why non-chlorine oxidizers struggle with complex sunscreen molecules. You’ll hear why the EPA still requires chlorine alongside ionizers, how low residuals collapse under bather load, and the simple, reliable workflow for killing algae with 25 ppm chlorine held for 24 hours. Then we go practical: how sequestrants work, why they degrade in sunlight and under shock, and how to remove metals instead of endlessly binding them.For pools already battling stains, we outline a step-by-step in-water remediation: lift discoloration using ascorbic or citric acid, capture dissolved metals with skimmer media or a dedicated canister loop to speed removal, and only then resume strong chlorination. We also help you find the source—copper algaecides, acidic tablets in the skimmer, heater corrosion, high-velocity erosion, fill water, or even iron-bearing pebbles in new surfaces—and share the surprising fix for localized rust spots. • copper’s effect on algae and bacteria• limits of ionizers and the need for oxidation• green hair caused by copper, not chlorine• sequestrants’ benefits and degradation over time• chlorine-first method for algae removal at 25 ppm• in-water stain removal using acids and metal media• faster metal capture with a canister and aux pump• tracing metal sources from equipment and surfaces• pebble finishes with iron and spot remediation• learning path with guides, books, and courses• links to podcasts and coaching resourcesSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits     [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits