Adding Calcium Chloride

[DanWC]

My CH has been on the lower side (300ppm). So in an effort to raise it, I added 20 pounds of calcium chloride today.

I did not brush as after a minute or two I could not see any on the floor of the pool anymore.

Is it okay that I did not brush? I did not realize the reaction produces heat. I will brush in future when I add. But a little worried I could have caused damage to the shell by doing this one time.

 

[mknauss]

First, there was no reason to add calcium. But that is water under the bridge.

Brushing is good practice so the calcium does not sit on the shell and create a scale spot. Not that much of an issue with fiberglass.

 

[DanWC]

First, there was no reason to add calcium. But that is water under the bridge.

Brushing is good practice so the calcium does not sit on the shell and create a scale spot. Not that much of an issue with fiberglass.

Thanks for the response!

Was wanting to get levels up to target of 450 my app says. I guess not a huge issue in fiberglass pools.

 

[mknauss]

Remember, the app is a tool. Please do not blindly follow the ranges in it. You must consider your full complement of equipment, etc.
The range for your situation is 250 ppm or above. And that is only if you have cement based grout for water line tile. If you do not have that, you should have 100 ppm plus for the heater.

 

[DanWC]

Remember, the app is a tool. Please do not blindly follow the ranges in it. You must consider your full complement of equipment, etc.
The range for your situation is 250 ppm or above. And that is only if you have cement based grout for water line tile. If you do not have that, you should have 100 ppm plus for the heater.

So will I be way above at 400-ish ppm? My pool math app says 250-650 ppm for CH. I had no idea a heater changes this. I am reading now in pool school further reading that too high can cause scaling in heater.

 

[ajw22]

Keep an eye on your FC as some folks have reported their FC going to 0 after adding calcium.

 

[DanWC]

Keep an eye on your FC as some folks have reported their FC going to 0 after adding calcium.

Will do!

My FC levels are way too high at the moment. Went on vacation and was worried about leaving the pool. Cranked the SWG up to 80% output and came back to 20 ppm level. So I turned off SWG and it's slowly coming down. Was at 13 today.

 

[mknauss]

So will I be way above at 400-ish ppm?

According to Effect of Adding you will be near 450 ppm. Do you close the pool for the winter? Diluting back to the 200's for CH would be good over time.

 

[DanWC]

According to Effect of Adding you will be near 450 ppm. Do you close the pool for the winter? Diluting back to the 200's for CH would be good over time.

Yes, Pool will be closed in a few weeks. Pool heater actually isn't even hooked up at the moment. Pool builders are still working on hardscape and our house is a new construction that we don't live in yet.