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The Pools Scientific Podcast

John Cooper
Langelier Saturation Index
Cyanuric Acid
Pool Chemistry
Salt Chlorine Generator
Chlorine
Algae
Calcium Hardness
Free Chlorine
7.5 Percent Rule
Pump Sizing
Ph and Saturation Index
Languilier Saturation Index
Water Balance
Sand (filter Media)
Copper Ionization
Sulfates
Water Testing
Algaecide
CYA
Pool Store Business Model

The Pools Scientific Podcast is the only science-based pool care podcast hosted by a credentialed engineer. John Cooper — M.S. Nuclear Engineering, B.S. Chemical Engineering, U.S. Navy Nuclear Operator and submarine veteran, and five-time PHTA certified professional — breaks down pool water chemistry, the Langelier Saturation Index, salt chlorine generators, CYA management, water balance, and ever... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes26Founded6 months ago
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Artwork for The Pools Scientific Podcast

Latest Episodes

Pool metal stains rarely come from just one source, and this episode walks through the real chemistry behind them. 

John covers where metals and minerals actually enter pool water, why iron, manganese, and copper stain differently, and why calcium a... more

Closing day is the last time anyone touches your pool's chemistry until spring, and most closing checklists skip the one thing that actually matters: what happens to that water for the next five months. 

This episode covers pool closing chemistry by... more

Why does that sharp chemical smell at the pool mean your chlorine is losing, not winning? 

This episode breaks down the real chemistry behind combined chlorine and chloramines, the actual mechanism behind the seven and a half percent chlorine-to-cya... more

Eight real questions this episode, pulled from the Ask John page, the Trouble Free Pool forums, and real clients of the Pools Scientific field lab. 

Every one of them starts the same way: a reading, a calculator, or a manufacturer spec that looks co... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Warren Bell
63 and a retired television writer
None specified
Episode: Episode 11: Ask John, Part 1 Real Pool Chemistry Questions, Real Answers | The Pools Scientific Podcast

Host

John Cooper
Host of The Pools Scientific Podcast. Brings a background in nuclear and chemical engineering; focuses on science-based pool care and long-term water balance.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Incredibly thorough

    If you want to know how to take care of your pool and why, this is the podcast for you. Best resource I’ve found by far, even better than trouble free pools website.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UTultimate
    United States2 months ago
  • A true EXPERT

    John is the MOST knowledgeable in the industry! My pool was a mess before i met him. I wrecked my plaster the 1st year not even knowing the importance of calcium and definitely had no idea on the effects of CYA on safety. Once John started helping me with my pool my surface came back to the smooth surface i knew when it was new and I have never had any algae or problems since. Just beautiful blue. Thanks for all you do John for me and all you do for all pool owners out there. You are a gem and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lauren Shiffman
    United States2 months ago
  • Stuff you need to know about pool chemistry

    John is the best. If you own a pool and don’t want to pay a guy to come look at your pool for 5 minutes every week you need to listen to this podcast. “John is the Neil deGrasse Tyson of pools!”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wellerna
    United States3 months ago
  • Misleading credentials

    This is a good podcast that I will likely reference as we learn more about our pool and how to best take care of it.

    The creator / host has chemical and nuclear engineering experience….but it’s not clear from his LinkedIn that he actually has degrees. Navy nuclear power school and training has often been referred to as a “master degree equivalent”….but it is NOT a degree. It would be better if the host changed his introduction to reflect his experience in various engineering disciplines and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    BecomeRage
    United States4 months ago
  • If you own a pool DO NOT MISS THIS PODCAST

    I built a new pool last year and everything went great — I did the testing, added chemicals when necessary, easy peasy. Then this spring everything went sideways. I have white water mold, high cyanuric acid, high total alkalinity, and nothing I tried would work.

    Enter John Cooper. He is the Einstein of pool science — okay, maybe not Einstein but let’s say Neil DeGrasse Tyson, the guy who can explain water chemistry to you and even make it kind of fun. Now that I’ve listened to his podcast I c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WBell
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate practical, test-driven guidance that helps save money and protect pool equipment.
Listeners value the host's ability to debunk industry myths with real-world examples.
Listeners praise the science-first approach and clear explanations of complex chemistry.
The show is criticized by some for its heavy technical depth, but is generally seen as rigorous and trustworthy.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 11: Ask John, Part 1 Real Pool Chemistry Questions, Real Answers | The Pools Scientific Podcast
Q: What does borates do in terms of safety and maintenance, and is it safe for pets?
Borates act as a pH buffer and contribute to stabilizing the water; at typical levels around 50 ppm, they provide buffering without posing significant risk to pets; LD50 data indicates risk is minimal at normal concentrations, though toxicology awareness is warranted.
Episode 11: Ask John, Part 1 Real Pool Chemistry Questions, Real Answers | The Pools Scientific Podcast
Q: Why are two different LSI readings a concern, and how should they be reconciled in a salt pool?
Because TDS is a real input in the LSI equation for salt pools, you should use a calculator that includes TDS; relying on a calculator that ignores TDS can mislead you into thinking the water is less aggressive than it actually is.
Episode 11: Ask John, Part 1 Real Pool Chemistry Questions, Real Answers | The Pools Scientific Podcast
Q: What CYA level do you recommend for a saltwater pool and why?
I recommend 30-50 ppm CYA as a practical ceiling; higher levels demand more chlorine and more aggressive dosing that normal equipment and owners can't reliably sustain, especially in salt pools where the chemistry and cell operation differ.
Episode 11: Ask John, Part 1 Real Pool Chemistry Questions, Real Answers | The Pools Scientific Podcast
Q: Does the screen on my pool cage reduce the UV that degrades my chlorine, and by how much?
Yes, it blocks a significant portion of UV—roughly 30-50%—but the impact on chlorine management is that you still rely on test-kit data and the 7.5% rule relative to CYA rather than the UV reduction alone.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Pools Scientific Podcast

What is The Pools Scientific Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on science-based pool care, breaking down water chemistry, measurement interpretation, and system-wide balance with a heavy emphasis on first-principles thinking. Across episodes, listeners get practical, data-driven guidance on topics like the Langelier Saturation Index, CYA management, pH dynamics, salt systems, and the interplay between chemistry and equipment. A key throughline is questioning conventional wisdom from the pool industry, offering realistic, test-driven approaches and real-world case studies that illustrate how precise chemistry saves money, protects equipment, and yields reliable results for both homeowners and pros. A standout element is the host's engineering background, which helps translate complex c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Pools Scientific Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Pools Scientific Podcast:

1. Your Money Guide on the Side
2. Money Guy Show
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4. Ologies with Alie Ward
5. Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

How many episodes of The Pools Scientific Podcast are there?

The Pools Scientific Podcast launched 6 months ago and published 26 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Pools Scientific Podcast?

Recent guests on The Pools Scientific Podcast include:

1. Warren Bell

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