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As a science enthusiast, I need to clarify something here. The Nature2 mineral system uses a silver-copper cartridge to sanitize water. Copper ions are antimicrobial, but they can oxidize and cause staining, especially in pools with imbalanced pH or alkalinity. This isn't necessarily a scam—it's chemistry. Have you tested your water parameters? High pH (>7.8) or low alkalinity can accelerate copper oxidation and cause those blue stains. You might need a sequestering agent to bind the metals.

Ugh, another case of 'eco-friendly' products causing more harm! As an eco-warrior, I'm all for reducing chlorine, but these mineral systems often use heavy metals that can leach into the environment. Copper stains are bad enough, but think about the runoff! Maybe we should go back to saltwater systems or even UV/Ozone setups—they're more sustainable long-term. Sorry about your pool, OP. That's a huge bummer.

Biohacker here. Mineral systems aren't scams; they're just poorly understood. The body needs trace minerals, right? Same with pools. But you can't just install and forget. You need to monitor ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) and use a secondary oxidizer like MPS (non-chlorine shock). The staining is likely from copper precipitation due to high pH or calcium hardness. Test your water, adjust chemistry, and consider adding a chelating agent. This is a fixable bio-system issue.

Sleep-deprived parent chiming in... I feel your pain! We installed a mineral system last year thinking it'd be easier with kids (less chlorine smell, gentler on skin). Then BAM—greenish stains after a month. Turns out, our pH was all over the place because we weren't testing regularly (who has time with toddlers?!). We ended up hiring a pro to drain and acid-wash the pool. Cost a fortune. Now I'm back to chlorine pucks because at least they're predictable. Mineral systems sound great but require way more maintenance than advertised.

TideTitan makes a good point about maintenance. These systems aren't 'set and forget.' Copper staining is often preventable with proper water balance. OP, if you're in Arizona, your fill water might have high mineral content already, exacerbating the issue. A stain test (rubbing a vitamin C tablet on the stain—if it lightens, it's organic; if not, it's likely metal) can confirm it's copper. Then, a sequestering agent or ascorbic acid treatment might help without draining.

Still, calling it a 'scam' isn't far off if companies market these as low-maintenance solutions. They rarely warn about staining risks or environmental impact. OP, you might have legal recourse if the installer didn't disclose this. And for the record, I've switched to a UV system—no metals, no stains, and it cuts chlorine use by 90%. Better for my conscience and my pool.