Remington Solar Pool Ionizer Review - after 3 years
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Eliminate pool algae with the Remington Solar Chlorine-Free Sun Shock Pool Ionizer and Purifier. [UPDATE] Go to my website to read why I stopped using it. Read my full review on bobsrantsandra....
Read reviews on Amazon: amzn.to/2XosuG2
Eliminates algae by putting small amounts of copper into the pool water. Algae can't grow if copper is in the water. Safe for swimmers, pool, and equipment. The Chemical Free Sun Shock Pool Ionizer works with solar - no batteries. This video is of my pool and my experience. Don't forget to LIKE the video, leave a COMMENT, and go to bobsrantsandra... to see my full review. Thanks!
Pool Ionizer: amzn.to/2XosuG2
*Update 11/2019:* I do not recommend this product. The copper discolored the bottom and sides of my pool. I now need to get my pool acid washed to try and remove the blue stains on my pool bottom and sides. I also tried using again last year and it was no longer working - no build-up on the coil or the new copper post. I assume the solar panel or device was not working. I threw it away.
I had no algae this year (2019). I am using chlorine tabs and shocking every other week. When CYA levels get high enough from using tabs, I will partially drain my pool and put new water in to bring CYA levels down. You need some CYA in order to stabilize the chlorine.
I tried liquid chlorine last year (2018) and had terrible results. Very expensive and chlorine levels would not hold. I had terrible algae all summer (2018). I went to a local Leslie Pool Supply and spent a few hundred dollars on powder chlorine, yellow out, and a couple other products. I followed directions to the T. The heavy shocking and other instructions/products got rid of all my algae after a few weeks. I cleaned my filter for the fall/winter. As stated at the beginning of this update - I had NO ALGAE this year (2019). Not even the beginning signs of algae. I brushed my pool weekly, shocked it every couple weeks with granular chlorine. Kept chlorine levels between 4-7. Kept chemical levels within guidelines.
Next year (2020) I will probably drain the pool and have it acid-washed to remove the blue stains caused by the Pool Ionizer.
Welll i need info i ordered one for a 12x20 pool the easy set one just to find a way to lower cost through out the summer
Your mistake was to have the ionizer in your pool all the time and not monitoring the copper levels in the water. You must remove the ionizer before the copper level is too high. To remove the copper stains, try metal sequestering liquid.
Vitamin C, or siver nitrate will completely knock out chlorine! I used Vitamin c for stain removal, and needed to vacuum the pool, and back wash. Before I could get chlorine level back up
Thank you for your honest opinion. I agree that the copper levels should have been taken into account. But one other thing i want to point out is that I read that as long as the pool is properly balanced (Alkalinity and pH) algae could not grow in the first place. This is the plan I am shooting for. I will shock the pool every few weeks though.
guarantee you had high phosphate levels. pools a complete lsi balance and you need to know ALL parameters . treat the phosphates and it will help with that chlorine demand. also liquid chlorine was the way to go because it doesnt oxidize high metals . shock does . pool pro here clean 110 a month in blazing texas heat. another thing if your cya isnt 30-50ppm will be hard to balance chlorine. we keep chlorine 7.5% of cya so if cya 100 it locks up free available chlorine your chlorine would need to be well over 10ppm to sanitize.
I'd recommend Copper-Flo. I need to do more digging but I just bought one thanks to these videos and it works insanely well. You just have to pay attention, make sure the unit is doing it's job. Looking forward to no more chlorine.
Thanks so much for this video and your updating comments Bob!! I haven't been able to find any long term reviews for this product. You have been very helpful.
Thanks Veronika! Sometimes I think that maybe I was getting discoloration on the bottom of the pool because I didn't clean the device often enough. Or maybe the copper level got too high - even though the copper test strips that come with it didn't show high levels of copper. I wanted this to work and was very pleased with the results on preventing algae... but the discoloration on my pool floor was enough for me to stop using it. Others may not have the same problem. I have stopped using the chlorine tablets and gone to liquid chlorine - which is more expensive and a pain to remember to put in every week. But I have pretty much gotten my algae back under control - but do have to brush the walls weekly. Sometimes having a pool is a pain! :-)
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I have this exact model now for 3 month ( when it was hard to hard chlorine tabs ) and must say- best thing I EVER bought! Am in Tampa Bay area and it is August now so I have used it during the hottest time of the year. have not even brushed the pool, my pool pump runs in the moment 6 hours and I have chlorine tabs in the feeder of the pump. But have not used ANY other product ( like liquid chlorine, algae fighter etc) NOTHING! overall I save $100 a month in additional product, have sparkling clean water, don‘t need to use any body lotion (my skin is perfect) the water feels so smooth, no smell, and it sparkles in the sun. For 7 years prior to using the Remington I was spending more time cleaning and scrubbing the pool than enjoying it. Oh, 1 more thing, I use SODA ASH to keep the PH at 7.4. I have told so many friends about it and they ALL love it.
Hi, I have been using this for a few weeks now, but starting to see a little algae growth. I see in your post you do use chlorine tablets, how many would you recommend and how often to keep away algae? My pool is a 14x35
@@nichelleking8743 every 2 weeks u have to scrub the copper rod…I probably use 3 tablets per month… u still need a little bit of chlorine for bacteria…I still am loving the device- it was a very hot summer plus we had to get a tree taken out so our pool got to 90 . I have even stopped brushing the sides. It looks stellar. Maybe pull it out and brush the copper rod with a steel brush ( read instructions) good luck
I really learned a lot from this video and the grass one too. Thanks!!!
I made my own solar copper ionization thingy for about $13 I run my pump for a couple hours a week at best and after a month (no shock just a tab) pool is crystal clear I think it's working
Hey Bad Man Dan - that sounds awesome. Feel free to post instructions to make your own here. I stopped using mine because it discolored the bottom of my pool. I think the copper leaked out of the protector basket and created blue splotches all over my pool bottom. Hopefully, acid washing will help get rid of the stains. $13 sure beats $140!
Just buy some copper sulphate in the garden section dissolve a spoonful or two in water and ad to pool . If you have an alge problem its a good idea to get a phosphate removal tablet . Generally this is what the age grows on , comes from leaves etc that are left in the pool too long .
Thanks Bob. After reading your comments here and in the link, I decided to buy one ionizer to start my test
Good luck! I'm no longer using mine... I think it stopped working. I went to clean it and there was no new corrosion or buildup to clean. Keep an eye on the bottom of your pool. If it is white like mine, make sure you don't start to see bluish discoloration marks. I'm hoping an acid wash will get rid of my marks. Thanks for posting here!
Is yours still working and are you happy with it?
hi ! Does it worth it?
0 chlorine used for 4 Michigan seasons in larger pool
Crystal clear H2O
0 Algea
0 Chlorine smell
0 Stains
1 unit/copper core lasted 3 seasons
*6/15/2018 Update:* I stopped using the Ionizer because I was getting some discoloration on the bottom of my pool. I believe the copper from the ionizer was causing this problem. I wrote a little more on this on my website bobsrantsandraves.com/eliminate-pool-algae-with-chlorine-free-sun-shock-pool-ionizer-review/. Dropped it to a 3 star rating. It works but may cause discoloration of pool plaster in inground pools.
*6/18/2017 Update: Now that we are in the heat of a new season, thought I'd do a quick update.*
In April & May, I was having algae issues and started to get disappointed in the Ionizer. On my website, bobsrantsandraves.com, I downgraded from 5 stars to 4 stars. Then I got serious about balancing the chemicals in the pool. I had let the chlorine level drop to zero. I was only running the pump 4 hrs a day ( 2hrs + 2hrs).
So I cleaned my diatomaceous earth filter, made sure my inline chlorinator was full of tablets and brought my chemicals to proper levels - Chlorine 1.5, Ph 7.4, Total Alkalinity 120. I brushed and vacuumed, run pool 4.5 hrs (2hr + 2.5hrs). Now for the last few weeks, the pool has been sparkling blue, no signs of algae. I will raise my rating back to 5 stars in a couple weeks if things stay this good. Regardless, my pool is MUCH better than it was before getting the Remington Solar Ionizer.
I see so much wrong with what you are doing its making my head spin. You should NEVER have algae. You should never use tabs. Tabs are half conditioner (CYA) and half chlorine. CYA never leaves your pool water. The higher the CYA level in the pool the higher the free chlorine level needs to be to be effective at killing algae. So if your CYA level is lets say 80 for example your MINIMUM free chlorine level should be 6ppm and your ideal target free chlorine level should be between 9-11ppm free chlorine. I bet your CYA level is off the charts and with your free chlorine level so low its no wonder you get algae. Even if you dont physically see it trust me it is still there. Do an overnight free chlorine loss test and that will tell you. You should lose next to nothing overnight. If you have FC drop then you have algae even if you cant see it. www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock
+prostreetcamaro - thanks for the feedback. I will test my CYA and consider not using tablets. Do you use liquid chlorine? Fortunately, knock on wood, I still have no visible algae. But I will take your advice seriously.
CYA controls your pool. If you get it perfect, and also use only liquid chlorine, you will NEVER have algae; and you will NEVER have to shock your pool. Cyanuric acid control is the key to pool perfection. Get it dead on at 30 and keep it there.
Thank you mguerramd... I will look for a source for affordable liquid chlorine.
Bob Richardson Lowes has the best price
Where you adding any Chlorine during that time!
How often did you clean the solar ionizer? A good clean, scrape and spray Down of the units screen, anode and the metal spiral piece usually eliminates staining if done weekly or even 2 times a week if you are really worried about staining. It usually takes 10 minutes once you’ve got the procedure down.
I didn't clean it often enough... started at once a week, then would skip a week now and then. If I did it twice a week, I may not have had the staining. Hopefully, a good acid wash will remove most of the blue stains. I've managed algae other ways the last 2 years. Thanks for your comment.
@@bobfromca92646 Thanks for the reply. That answers my question. Best of luck with the algae control!
$13 solar copper ionizer instructions as follows.
*$13 solar battery charger from harbor freight or Amazon/eBay (mine is 1.5w)
*Two pieces of scrap copper pipe about 8-10"s long
*A hand full of zip ties
*Something for it all to float on (I used a piece of 1" Styrofoam sheet with two smaller pieces to raise the panel higher above the water line)
Zip tie the panel to your floater
Take your copper pipes (just about any diameter will work) and zip tie them to each other using some zip ties to make a gap 1/8"-1/4" between the "anodes".
Cut I a hole on your floater to accept the anode rig. Put as much of the rig below the water as possible.
Use the alligator clips that came with the panel and attach one each to the copper pipes.
Throw it in the pool and clean the anode rig every week or so.
I'm in southern Arizona I don't understand exactly the science behind it but can say for sure it works. You still need to have a chlorine puck floater to help but now I use one puck instead of three and have used zero shock since I built it. Also I run my pump maybe 2-3 hours a week now so that's awesome.
Thanks, Bad man Dan! Good info. Sounds easy enough. Like the 2-3 hrs a week pump time.
@@bobfromca92646 in past seasons I had to use like 2 cups of shock every week and a half to combat algae which made the water unswimable.
any way you can post a picture of it?
@@jayburns3119 if you know a way let me know. I'd be glad to.
Sounds cool... have you seen or made a video on how to do this that you can link?
you should probably have 2 of them in a pool that big and plus I see you have some shaded areas and it doesn't work when in the shade. you should toe it off in a sunny area. it probably would work amazing
Thanks, Angela. Actually, the pool ionizer worked well in my pool. I no longer had algae, was able to reduce chlorine levels, and reduced the need to brush the pool as often. The problem and the reason I no longer recommend the ionizer is I started having discoloration spots on the bottom of my pool. This may be because I did not clean the unit and basket enough. Although I tested the copper level with the provided strips - which did not show overly high concentrations - possibly the strips were defective or old. I had to decide to keep using the unit and not have algae problems but have discoloration on the pool bottom or, stop using the unit and limit the discoloration on the pool bottom. I chose the latter.
This does not mean everyone will have pool discoloration due to the copper from the ionizer... and it may have been from me not being diligent in cleaning the unit. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thank you!
P.S. The shady area in the video actually gets a lot of sun and is the side (North facing) that gets the most algae growth. It shows shady due to the time of day the video was shot. The ionizer, when I was using it, eliminated 100% of the algae growth.
How much chlorine, or what level do you keep chlorine at?
Hello, your solar ionizer still working 100 %??
Thank you!
Hey Bob, I know it has been quite a few years since this test was done but were you using ANY chlorine at all during this test? Any shock, tabs, salt-generator etc? Also, regarding your discoloration problem, I read on the instructions for mine that you MUST NOT add any cyanuric acid to the pool when this is in use or it will discolor to like a purple or something like that. Many/most chlorine tablets contain cyanuric acid as well as almost all chlorine shock. Did you use any tablets in a float or shock that may have added cyanuric acid? I am wondering about staining like this from people who have kept that CYA very low or absent from their pools
Robert - Yes, I used 3" chlorine tablets in an inline chlorinator. I did not use shock (that I remember). Maybe the use of the chlorine tabs contributed to the blue-ish discoloration... along with not cleaning the unit every week as instructed. So I cannot put all the blame on the unit - user error contributed. But now my pool bottom has blue-ish discoloration spots all over which look bad. I need to have the pool acid washed. The unit broke (stopped working) so I threw it away. Hopefully, you have better luck with it. I now control my algae with weekly shock treatments.
How big is your pool ?
This product did not work for me.
did you not test the water for copper while using the Remington Solar Ionizer
I did check copper levels using the included strips. Maybe not as often as I should have. Strips did not show elevated copper. I did not clean the Ionizer as often as I should have - I think that was the biggest problem and contributor to blue spotting on the bottom of my pool. Your mileage may vary. Check copper levels, keep the copper cylinder clean and you may be fine.
How long can you use the Chlorine-Free Sun Shock Pool Purifier before it needs to be be cleaned or replaced. If my pool is 30,000 gallons, would I use two?
Based on the manual, you would need two. You are supposed to clean weekly. I would often go two weeks between cleaning. I do not use mine anymore, I was getting discolored spotting on the bottom of my pool.
Well, Bob Richardson is it still working right now sir
As you probably read, I stopped using it this year due to it discoloring the bottom of my pool. However, I've been fighting algae every week with this hot weather, so two weeks ago, in frustration, I put it back in with a new copper center. Last time it took about 3 weeks to notice a decrease in algae. So far I can't tell if it is working. Last year while using it, I had no algae, pool looked great, water clear. I will assume it will be the same now that I put it back in. I will live with the spotting on the pool bottom and hope an acid wash will take care of it.
Bob Richardson , Can the church say Amen! ! ! Thanks Bob
You're not mentioning if you are using any chlorine at all. I sure wish I knew
Tina, when I was using the Solar Ionizer I was also using chlorine but less than half what I normally was using. Chlorine helps sanitize your pool. When using the Ionizer I was able to keep algae out with chlorine levels as low as 1-2.
BUT... as I mentioned in my updates, I stopped using the Ionizer due to blue stains on the bottom of my pool. Eventually, they got so bad they were all over the bottom so I stopped using the Ionizer. The stains are still there but no new ones since doing away with the copper solar ionizer. Hopefully, an acid wash will remove the unsightly stains.
Keep using chlorine but use half your normal amount. Watch for staining. Keep the Ionizer cleaned - weekly. It did work but at the price of staining my pool. Good luck!
@@bobfromca92646 Thank you, Bob.
Can kid swim when the ionizer is on the pool
Yes.
Sorry Bob you wasted your time money on this gimmick and sadly many others on here will too..
I used the piece of copper pipe in the skimmer method many years ago and yes it works, no electricity needed, never any algae at all. However about 10 years ago I discovered Copper Sulfate and started using it. I have a 13k pool and use 1 tablespoon diluted a month. Never ever have I had any Algae since, NEVER. No green hair, no pool stains on my gunite pool here in Florida. Stop listening to these people who don't have a clue, maybe they work for pool companies or don't even have a pool. So may gimmicks when this is the easiest cost effective solution out there.. Look at the ingredients of most pool Algaecides 5-7% Copper Sulfate. When you buy Copper Sulfate small crystals (Amazon, eBay) and dissolve it, it is 20% concentrate so don't think 1 tablespoon a month is to little, adjust if your pool is larger. That is all you need and you'll NEVER have Algae again. The key is Don't over do it thinking more is better, it's not. It does reduce the amount of Chlorine you use but not by a significant amount. Do the research, stop wasting your money.
You added no chlorine tablets using this floater?
Initially, I let my chlorine level drop to see how well the ionizer would work. Then I got lazy and let the chlorine level go to zero. It was still OK for a week or so, but then I saw traces of algae. I checked my chlorine and that is when I knew it was at zero. I use an inline chlorinator which holds 9 tablets... when I checked it, it was empty. I added more tablets and all was good again.
So, yes, you still need chlorine. The manufacturer claims you need much less. I usually keep chlorine levels at 3-4. But now I will shoot for 2 and see how that goes. I got this towards the end of the season last year so we will see how well it does now that it is getting warmer in S. CA. I just cleaned my filter and am getting the chemicals balanced. I'll report back on my website blog about this ionizer (bobsrantsandraves.com) how well it does.
Mine decomposed after 18 months use.
Thanks for commenting, Nancy. Your comment prompted me to post a new update. My Ionizer also stopped working - even with it staining my pool, I gave it another try last year due to terrible algae... it didn't work (no build-up on coil & copper post) so I threw it away. I appreciate you taking the time to leave your comment.
*9/17/2017 Update:* This has been the first summer I have not had algae. I removed the Remington Solar Ionizer last week. Not sure if my imagination or not, but it looked like the bottom of the pool was looking more marbled in color. I will replace the copper core and put back in about a week or so. Based on comments below, I will also look into switching to liquid chlorine. My CYA levels are fairly high. My pool looks great, water clear and blue, no yellow/green algae. I do have some black algae spots which I am removing with a wire brush. Overall, still very happy with the Ionizer. Best $100 I've spent on the pool. Just make sure it is not causing your pool plaster to discolor or look marblely.
I see green algae in the sides, can you tell me if it is still working! Please
The green algae was before I used the Ionizer. After a few weeks and brushing the sides, no more algae. It worked. I have a full review on my website bobsrantsandraves.com/eliminate-pool-algae-with-chlorine-free-sun-shock-pool-ionizer-review/ - I explain why I stopped using it. It stopped the algae but after awhile I started noticing some blueish staining on the pool bottom. I think it was from the copper leakage from the Ionizer.