Any suggestions for increasing CH without breaking the bank (early August - no deicer

[bzbmom]

I'm still new to pool maintenance. Wow, Thank Goodness for this site and the forum - and Thank You to all you pros for sharing your wealth of knowledge!!!!!! I have a CH level of 33. It is a plaster pool, but was recently painted and coated with something that is very slippery. I need to increase the hardness (obviously with a level of 33) - but don't have $100 to spend at the pool store. It's early August and none of the hardware stores have any de-icer in stock. Any other suggestions how I can increase this without breaking the bank?

Thanks!!

 

[Bama Rambler]

Try the local farm store. They usually have calcium in stock for farmers use. It's the same stuff used in pools or as deicer.

 

[DaninFLA]

its not sold locally at home depot/lowes right now...however, you can still buy it online from them and ship to the store for free!

 

[ScottCh]

I have a CH level of 33.

Out of curiosity, what test kit are you using? or how did you come up with a CH of 33?

 

[otter86753]

I live in coastal SC and we never have de-icing materials in our area! I found this link and bought from them Calcium Chloride Anhydrous - ChemistryStore.com They are great to deal with.

 

[bzbmom]

Try the local farm store. They usually have calcium in stock for farmers use. It's the same stuff used in pools or as deicer.

Thank you so much!! My local farm store had it in stock. Less than $20 for a 50 lb bag. Much better than the $80 I'd have to spend at the pool store

- - - Updated - - -

Out of curiosity, what test kit are you using? or how did you come up with a CH of 33?

I got the number from a local pool store. I went in to buy shock and have the water tested.

 

[Agent99]

Ah, pool store measurements...that explains it.

The test for CH is a drop test (titration) and each drop represents 10 ppm of Calcium so normally you don't get in the ones place on the reading. Mine takes 23 drops so x10 and my CH is 230.

 

[jaduck]

Chris - I think the CH titration is in 25 ppm increments. If it takes 23 drops your CH would equal 575. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[bdavis466]

Chris - I think the CH titration is in 25 ppm increments. If it takes 23 drops your CH would equal 575. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

A 10ml sample = 25

A 25ml sample= 10

You use a lot less of the reagents if you CH is over 100 by doing the 10ml method

 

[Agent99]

I do the 25 ml sample...good to know with the 10 ml sample size...I'll start doing that.

 

[jaduck]

Thanks for the info! Forgot about using a larger sample size!