The Silent Threat
Hiding in Your Pool
Copper contamination stains surfaces, turns hair green, and destroys your pool equipment — and standard test strips don't check for it. These Water TechniX strips give you a clear colour-match result, so you can catch it before it becomes a costly problem.
What Metals in Your Pool Actually Do
Your standard chlorine and pH test strips won't pick this up. Copper can build up undetected for months — and by the time you see the symptoms, serious damage is already done.
Green Hair & Stained Skin
Copper in pool water binds to proteins in blonde and light hair, turning it green. It can also leave a greenish tint on nails and skin. A common (and embarrassing) problem that's entirely preventable.
Blue-Green Staining on Surfaces
Copper oxidises and deposits on pool walls, floors, and waterline tiles, leaving distinctive blue-green stains. These are notoriously difficult to remove once they set in — testing and treating early is far cheaper than resurfacing.
Equipment Corrosion
High copper levels — often caused by low pH dissolving copper heater coils and fittings — accelerate corrosion of your pool equipment. Regular copper testing can flag this early and save you thousands in equipment replacement.
Cloudy, Blue-Green Water
Copper contamination can cause water to appear murky blue-green. Often mistaken for an algae problem, pool owners waste money on algaecide when the actual fix is a metal remover. Test first — treat correctly.
Where Do Pool Metals Come From?
Many pool owners are surprised to discover copper in their pool — especially if they've never added anything metallic. The truth is copper enters your pool in ways you'd never expect.
Regular testing (monthly, or after any major top-up or event) is the only way to catch contamination early before it causes visible damage.
💧 Fill Water
Your tap water can carry dissolved copper — especially in older homes with copper plumbing. Every top-up adds more to your pool without you even realising it.
☀️ Copper-Based Algaecides
Many algaecides contain copper as the active ingredient. Overuse or regular use adds copper to the water over time.
🔩 Pool Equipment
Low pH or high chlorine corrodes copper heat exchanger coils in gas heaters and copper fittings, leaching metal directly into the water.
🌧️ Copper-Based Pool Systems
Copper ionisers and mineral purification systems intentionally use copper as a sanitiser. These systems require careful monitoring — too much copper causes staining and green hair.
Water TechniX Copper & Metal Test Strips
Copper & Metal Test Strips
Water TechniX · 26 Strips Per Bottle
- Tests copper levels (Cu) from 0–0.5 ppm across 4 colour reference points
- Dip up and down 10 times, place in the white circle, read the colour — no lab equipment needed
- 26 strips per bottle — that's over a year's worth at the recommended fortnightly testing schedule
- Colour chart printed directly on the bottle — no separate guide needed
- Compatible with all pool types — chlorinated, saltwater, and spa
How to Use the Copper Test Strips
These strips use a small tube for testing. Follow these steps closely for an accurate result.
Fill the Test Tube
Collect pool water and fill the included test tube to the marked line. Collect your sample away from jets and skimmers for the most representative reading of the bulk water.
Dip the Strip 10 Times
Remove one strip and immediately replace the bottle cap. Dip the strip up and down in the test tube 10 times, then remove it. This activates the reagent pad for an accurate colour change.
Place in the White Circle
Place the strip into the white circle on the bottle label. This gives you a neutral white background to compare the pad colour against the reference chart — critical for an accurate reading.
Look Down Through the Tube
Hold the test tube vertically and look straight down through it to compare the colour from the top. Match the colour you see to the chart (0, 0.1, 0.25, or 0.5 ppm). Read in natural daylight for best accuracy.
💡 Pro Tip — Always Read in Natural Daylight
Indoor lighting, especially LED or fluorescent, can make the purple colour appear lighter or more pink than it really is. Take the test tube outside or near a window for the most accurate colour match. Test fortnightly for best peace of mind.
What Does the Colour Mean?
Compare the strip pad to the colour chart on the bottle. The deeper the colour, the higher the copper concentration.
✅ 0 ppm — All Clear
No copper detected. Continue fortnightly testing to stay ahead of any contamination.
⚠️ 0.1–0.25 ppm — Treat Now
Low-level copper detected. Use Metal Remover to bind and remove it before levels rise and staining begins.
🚨 0.5 ppm — Act Immediately
High copper. Surface staining and green hair are likely. Treat urgently with Metal Remover, use Stain Remover on any deposits, and identify the source.
The Two-Step Treatment Plan
Test, then treat. These are the two products you need when copper is detected — one to remove it from the water, one to lift any staining it's left behind.
Water TechniX Metal Remover 1L
Binds and removes dissolved copper from pool water before it oxidises and stains. Use as soon as copper is detected — this is the first line of defence. Also helps prevent green hair and blue-green water discolouration.
Water TechniX Stain Remover 1KG
Lifts and removes copper stains that have already deposited on pool walls, floors, and tiles. The blue-green marks copper leaves behind don't come out with standard cleaning — this formula is specifically designed to break them down.
Pro Tips for Keeping Metals Low
Test Fill Water Separately
Before adding large volumes of tap water, test a sample separately. This tells you how much metal you're adding and lets you treat proactively rather than reactively.
Keep pH in Range
Low pH (below 7.2) aggressively corrodes copper pipes and fittings in heaters, releasing copper directly into the water. Balanced pH is your first line of defence.
Switch to Copper-Free Algaecide
If you regularly use algaecide containing copper as an active ingredient, consider switching to a copper-free formula to prevent long-term copper build-up.
Use a Metal Sequestrant Routinely
A monthly dose of metal sequestrant — even when levels are low — keeps dissolved metals bound and prevents them from oxidising and staining surfaces.
Copper & Metal Testing FAQ
The Water TechniX Copper & Metal Test Strips test for Copper (Cu) across four reference points: 0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 ppm. Despite the "Copper & Metal" name, this strip is specifically designed for copper — the most prevalent metal contaminant in Australian pools, particularly those using copper ionisation, mineral purification systems, or homes with copper plumbing.
We recommend testing monthly during the swimming season as a baseline. Test more frequently — every 1–2 weeks — after heavy rain, large water top-ups (more than 10% of pool volume), after adding copper-based algaecides, or if you notice any discolouration or staining.
Almost certainly yes. Green hair from pool water is a classic sign of elevated copper. Copper ions bind to the protein structures in hair (especially light or bleached hair) and oxidise to produce a green colour when exposed to chlorine. Test your water immediately and treat with a metal sequestrant if copper is detected.
The ideal level is 0 ppm — no detectable copper. The test strips measure 0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 ppm. For pools using copper ionisation or mineral purification systems, low levels are expected, but should be kept under 0.1 ppm where possible. At 0.25 ppm or above, treat with Metal Remover. At 0.5 ppm — the top of the scale — treat urgently and identify the source.
Yes. The Water TechniX Copper & Metal Test Strips are compatible with all pool types — chlorinated, saltwater, bromine, and spa/hot tub water. The salt chlorinator environment can actually accelerate metal corrosion (particularly copper from the cell), making metal testing especially important for saltwater pool owners.
Yes — but note that copper testing is the one thing 7-in-1 strips don't cover. Your 7-in-1 strips handle chlorine, pH, alkalinity, hardness, and cyanuric acid. Adding the Copper & Metal strips to your testing kit gives you a complete picture of your pool chemistry. We recommend testing copper monthly alongside your regular 7-in-1 checks.
Store the strips in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not store near pool chemicals, as fumes can affect the reagent pads. Never touch the pads with your fingers before use, and always replace the cap immediately after removing a strip. Properly stored strips will remain accurate until the expiry date printed on the bottle.
Test Your Pool for Metals Today
26 strips per bottle — over a year of fortnightly testing. Simple colour match method. The easiest way to protect your pool surfaces, equipment, and your family's hair from hidden copper contamination.