Copper pipes in pool plumbing and pool heaters usually start to "rott away" and corrode because the ph and alkalinity of the water is very low and the chlorine or bromine is very high. Once the ph gets lower than about 7.4 and the alkalinity gets lower than about 70ppm, the oxidizer (in this case bromine) becomes very reactive.
Most pool pipes and fittings are plastic and this water condition will not adversly affect them - however if copper pipes are used - or if the pool has a heater on it - the copper will start to corrode. I believe this is what is probably happening to this subject pool. I would take a water sample to a local pool store and have them do a complete water test on it.
I predict it will be low ph & alk and high in bromine. I would add a sequestering agent / demineralizer to the water to try to lock up the existing chemical reaction. Then I would adjust the ph & alk a little on the high side (7.8 PH and 150 alk). Then I would adjust the bromine to about 2.0 ppm. This should keep the water relatively odorless, clear and non-corrosive to the pipes.
Originally posted by JBD:
One of my customers has an indoor swimming pool. The copper pipes in the pool are being eaten away to the point of failure. Sacrificial copper pieces were placed in the pool and have also corroded. This pool is not plumbed to the house water system. The pool is filled from well system and uses bromine as the base chemical.
All metal parts are grounded and no potential can be measured between any two different metal surfaces. However, there is a +0.5VDC potential between the water surface and the ground grid. It appears that this pool has become a battery.
Any suggestions?
