Calcium Hardness

Jump to latest Follow Reply
pool512

pool512

Gold Supporter
Jul 12, 2021
86
Austin, TX
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I have 2 questions on calcium hardness (CH):
1. When testing, you are looking for a change from red to blue. There is usually an initial change to blue, but with tiny red droplets still suspended in the water. Usually adding about 3 more drops will get the tiny droplets to disappear too. When do you stop counting?
2. PoolMath shows my CH out of range. Recommended is 250-650, and Ideal is 350-550. Depending on how I count (see #1) I am at either 230 or 260. I've previously been told here to not worry about CH of 250. This seems low to either range (recommended or ideal), and has been consistently low... should I be trying to raise CH? If so, what is a recommended product?

Thanks!
 
We cover a wide range of folks. With low CH water and no rain, aim for 350 and it will stay there. With low fill water and lots of rain, aim for 450 and drift down to 350. With high fill water you can start at 250-300 and it will rise quickly.

pool512 said:
When testing, you are looking for a change from red to blue. There is usually an initial change to blue, but with tiny red droplets still suspended in the water. Usually adding about 3 more drops will get the tiny droplets to disappear too. When do you stop
Click to expand...
Do you have a speed stir? It's a game changer for calcium and salt.

Either way you want full change, add an extra drop to prove no further change, then subtract the last drop.

Calcium matters the least if you're 3 drops off. We'll know it's not 75 and not 800. 300 to 375 is mostly irrelevant
 
You count the drops that bring it to change to blue. The very last droplet that didn't cause a color change is deducted from the count and that's your final number. 250 -300 is perfect as you have hard water and eventually will be going up as you fill back for evaporation loss.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
Newdude said:
We cover a wide range of folks. With low CH water and no rain, aim for 350 and it will stay there. With low fill water and lots of rain, aim for 450 and drift down to 350. With high fill water you can start at 250-300 and it will rise quickly.


Do you have a speed stir? It's a game changer for calcium and salt.

Either way you want full change, add an extra drop to prove no further change, then subtract the last drop.

Calcium matters the least if you're 3 drops off. We'll know it's not 75 and not 800. 300 to 375 is mostly irrelevant
Click to expand...
I've considered a speed stir, but this is a good reminder to order one.

We are:
low CH water and no rain
Click to expand...
Given that, and that the CH has been consistent for awhile, it seems like a good idea to try to raise it to 350 from what you've said? Any recommendation on a product to use? Thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply