How high do you let CH go?

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EndlessSummerAZ

EndlessSummerAZ

Well-known member
May 18, 2023
96
Phoenix
Pool Size
11475
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
In Phoenix and our water is very hard which means high CH. I’ve been lazy all winter about keeping logs but CH is nearing 1000 ppm. Phoenix CCR has fill water hardness anywhere from 150-350. Pool was just built, and filled, November 2023 so about a year and a half with the same water.

How high do you let CH go and keep CSI managed vs succumbing to the water exchange? I’d hate to have to do a water exchange every year but the calcium is out of control.
 
You will need to drain your pool and refill it to make it manageable again. You can't get a good CSI at that CH level. Mine was 900 after about 3 years and my fill water is 150 so I just drained it last month. I am going to extend my soft water from the kitchen 6 feet out to my pool fill line. I can tell you that at that high level of CH your skin will feel it when you get dried off.
 
When your CH gets over 1000 keeping things in balance becomes a tight wire act. I found a complete water change necessary every other season. I have since plumbed my fill water to my water softener. The CH still rises but much slower. Based on my experience, it’s the way to go in a desert environment. High alkalinity and high CH, combined with the ridiculous evaporation rate makes it a necessity.
 
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With our high CH water in the PHX area, you will need to do a full drain/refill every year or two.
That's is why many of us have our water softener plumbed to our autofill.

You refill the empty pool with straight tap water (unsoftened) then use softened water for the autofill (evaporation and top offs).

You will evaporate at least 1.5 to 2 times your pool volume yearly.

What is the current pH, TA and CH of your fill water?
It can change a bit during the year, but it's good to have a base line.

This weekend - Sunday and Monday - the temps are supposed to be below 80. A great time to drain.
If you don't have a sump pump to drain your pool, Home Depot rents them - or you can purchase one from Harbor Freight. Amazon also has them if the timeline for delivery fits.
Check with the city you are in to see what their pool draining requirements are. Here in Chandler, we are required to drain to the sanitary sewer cleanout in the front yard or to retain the water on property.
 
I agree, this might be the last really good weekend to do the drain. I too drain into my cleanout. I use the HD rental which gets the job done in 4-5 hours. Rent it for the day. They will give you two 25' 2" hoses. The problem with Harbor Freight is that I don't think they even have a 2" pump to buy, at least not when I looked a month ago.
 
TinFoilHat said:
I agree, this might be the last really good weekend to do the drain. I too drain into my cleanout. I use the HD rental which gets the job done in 4-5 hours. Rent it for the day. They will give you two 25' 2" hoses. The problem with Harbor Freight is that I don't think they even have a 2" pump to buy, at least not when I looked a month ago.
Click to expand...

Any concerns about pools popping out here?
 
proavia said:
With our high CH water in the PHX area, you will need to do a full drain/refill every year or two.
That's is why many of us have our water softener plumbed to our autofill.

You refill the empty pool with straight tap water (unsoftened) then use softened water for the autofill (evaporation and top offs).

You will evaporate at least 1.5 to 2 times your pool volume yearly.

What is the current pH, TA and CH of your fill water?
It can change a bit during the year, but it's good to have a base line.

This weekend - Sunday and Monday - the temps are supposed to be below 80. A great time to drain.
If you don't have a sump pump to drain your pool, Home Depot rents them - or you can purchase one from Harbor Freight. Amazon also has them if the timeline for delivery fits.
Check with the city you are in to see what their pool draining requirements are. Here in Chandler, we are required to drain to the sanitary sewer cleanout in the front yard or to retain the water on property.
Click to expand...

I still need to actually test the fill water. I just did a quick look from the city water reports. I do have a water softener on the house so I’ll have to look into running a line to the autofill - seems to be the best solution.
 
EndlessSummerAZ said:
I still need to actually test the fill water. I just did a quick look from the city water reports. I do have a water softener on the house so I’ll have to look into running a line to the autofill - seems to be the best solution.
Click to expand...
Test your fill water and report baxk.
pH, TA, CH only

My bet is 7.7, 130, 225 🤑
 

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TinFoilHat said:
I agree, this might be the last really good weekend to do the drain. I too drain into my cleanout. I use the HD rental which gets the job done in 4-5 hours. Rent it for the day. They will give you two 25' 2" hoses. The problem with Harbor Freight is that I don't think they even have a 2" pump to buy, at least not when I looked a month ago.
Click to expand...
Here's the 2" pump which I have in the 3" version which/and works flawless.
https://hftools.com/app63405
 
I would want a similar pump to what HD has. I could buy a used one from them for about $225 but I could rent one four times before I paid for it so I'll rent due to how infrequently I will need one. Not being in the industry I would want an electric pump.
 
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