Putting Copper Pipe in Pool Skimmer Basket (Don't Do This!)

There have been some recent popular trends on TikTok and Instagram around putting a piece of copper in a pool skimmer basket to help prevent algae growth. This is not a good idea!

Copper can help slow down algae; most algaecides have copper in them. However, the rates are incredibly slow compared to just using chlorine.

Maintaining free chlorine (FC) levels and properly balanced pool chemistry will do more than any copper pipe in the skimmer basket ever will.

In general, copper introduces far more negatives than positives regarding a pool.

Effects of Copper in a Pool

You shouldn’t knowingly put copper into your pool, let alone a copper pipe in the skimmer basket. However, as mentioned above, most algaecides contain copper because they slow down algae growth.

Trichlor, ionizers, and “shocks” can also contain copper traces.

Chlorine is much better at preventing algae and slowing down growth than copper. A balanced pool is the most effective way to prevent algae and other water problems!

Too much copper in the pool can cause stains and turn hair green, which are not things you generally want to see happen!

Copper Turns Hair and Fingernails Green

If you have ever seen a person’s blonde or light-colored hair turn green after swimming, that is due to copper in the water!

Scientifically speaking, copper gets oxidized in the water by chlorine. This oxidation produces a green tint on your hair follicles and fingernails.

If you need a Halloween costume that requires green hair, jump in a pool with copper! Otherwise, washing it out won’t be fun.

Copper Can Cause Staining

Hair isn’t the only thing that can turn green. That copper oxidation can also cause green to black surface stains in your pool.

These stains are fairly difficult to get rid of and can return quickly if they are not continuously treated.

Removing copper stains requires the use of sulfamic acid and a lot of patience. Trust me, It’ll be much preferable if copper is not in the pool!

Copper Can Only be Removed By Draining and Refilling

Note the only way to remove copper from water is by draining and refilling the pool. If you’ve managed to get rid of the stains from the surface, the copper remains in the water and can easily re-surface as a stain.

Even if you use a metal sequestrant, that still won’t remove it from the pool, only prevent it from staining the surface.

Don’t Put Copper Pipes in the Pool Skimmer

As with most “trends” on social media, don’t follow this one. It causes way more headaches than any positive results.

Keep your pool balanced, keep testing, and remember: friends don’t let friends put pieces of copper pipe in the pool!