We had our pool completed last year, so this is the first full season that we have had it. I'm having some issues with high CH and wanted to ask some questions on my options.
In the last few weeks, I have noticed the "snow" flakes in the pool, which I am pretty sure is due to my CH level being about 650-700 and my pH about 7.8. Here in AZ, our water is very hard, so I knew my CH levels would be high. My other levels are fine on my salt water pool:
FC: 3
CC: 0
Salt Level: 3500
TA: 90
CH: 650-700
CYA: 40 (I know this is low, will be adjusting higher later)
Water temp: about 94 degrees
I was on vacation for a couple of weeks and had a friend coming to add acid to the pool, but I'm not sure if the pH ever got above 7.8. When I got back, I noticed the flakes and at first thought my DE filter had a tear and was letting DE into the pool. After investigation, I found it was the flakes from high CH and possibly high pH. I am thinking about draining my pool at the end of this swimming season and filling with fresh water. I know that's the only way to lower my CH.
I have been adding a lot of acid (2 cups, 29% MA) to try to lower my pH, but it seems to jump right back to 7.8 in a day or two. I don't want to have to add 2 cups of acid every day or every other day to control this. pH of 7.8 is a reasonable goal, but with CH so high, I probably really need to be at 7.5. but it's too difficult to get to that level.
So my question:
Could my high CH be due to new plaster/pebble? Now that the pebble has had time to "settle/cure" could my CH rise more slowly from the fill water and evaporation? I don't want to have to drain and refill every year to keep my CH in check.
How do others in AZ (specifically SE Chandler) deal with our hard water? Do you just drain and refill? How often?
Thanks for any help!
Bryan
In the last few weeks, I have noticed the "snow" flakes in the pool, which I am pretty sure is due to my CH level being about 650-700 and my pH about 7.8. Here in AZ, our water is very hard, so I knew my CH levels would be high. My other levels are fine on my salt water pool:
FC: 3
CC: 0
Salt Level: 3500
TA: 90
CH: 650-700
CYA: 40 (I know this is low, will be adjusting higher later)
Water temp: about 94 degrees
I was on vacation for a couple of weeks and had a friend coming to add acid to the pool, but I'm not sure if the pH ever got above 7.8. When I got back, I noticed the flakes and at first thought my DE filter had a tear and was letting DE into the pool. After investigation, I found it was the flakes from high CH and possibly high pH. I am thinking about draining my pool at the end of this swimming season and filling with fresh water. I know that's the only way to lower my CH.
I have been adding a lot of acid (2 cups, 29% MA) to try to lower my pH, but it seems to jump right back to 7.8 in a day or two. I don't want to have to add 2 cups of acid every day or every other day to control this. pH of 7.8 is a reasonable goal, but with CH so high, I probably really need to be at 7.5. but it's too difficult to get to that level.
So my question:
Could my high CH be due to new plaster/pebble? Now that the pebble has had time to "settle/cure" could my CH rise more slowly from the fill water and evaporation? I don't want to have to drain and refill every year to keep my CH in check.
How do others in AZ (specifically SE Chandler) deal with our hard water? Do you just drain and refill? How often?
Thanks for any help!
Bryan