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[Rattus Suffocatus]

When the pool water temp rises the scale accumulation speeds up.
When the pH is in the low 7s the scale tends to be softer and is better removed with the polarity change.
When it's time to clean I like using zip ties of different widths and stiffness. I also cut the ends at an angle to reach those tight areas. Cleaning the RJ-60+ is tight work with so many stacked plates and the fact they are off-set in the housing.
I also use acetic acid in a spray bottle to reach the tight spots and clean the plates of the calcium film not removed by the zip ties. I had a unique looking chunk of calcium exit the housing and it was never between the plates. My guess is it was located on the terminal to cell plate connection and was dislodged by the acetic acid followed by the hose water jet.
The struggle with cell maintenance is real in the west. It is wise to monitor the amperage draw of the cell and the calculated scale ppm relative to the tested ppm to anticipate reduced conductivity. Don't go on a long vacation assuming all is well.

Makes me feel better. It's mainly because my CH is way up, but the pool tends to be all over the place during heavy monsoon rain anyway.. now that we are past labor day.. we are about through that. I didn't want to futz with the pool until then... but it's pretty much been non stop rain since before July 4th here this year. There is actual grass to cut here and a LOT of grass to cut at the weekend retreat 1000' higher up. This is... well.. the first time in the five years I have been here. I never thought I'd need to own a lawn mower here, but I do now.

I cut the ends at an angle off of the zip tie... the "floppy end" gets in the way, and isn't stiff enough.

The Waterpik was suggested by someone else here...... when cleaning the plates, it's like a micro pressure washer (but even then not as aggressive). It does a pretty good job in softening and driving out a lot of the calcium buildup-- great in combination with the zip ties. Last year and the half year before about June of this year, I could go six months without cleaning the cell. At CH 700+ I am doing it monthly now. I agree I will do it right before I leave on my two week trip as well, whether it needs it or not... two weeks isn't a problem even now,

I use a LOT of acid.. like a gallon plus a week now. It's getting to be an expensive hobby. Even with high TA fill water, it's now pretty low.. 70-80s. It's CH here.. I can't think of anything else. I will do borates.. maybe not at the 50 PPM level.. but I will add some.. once I get the CH down as it's not cheap to add them.

Thought about RV softeners.. Or even one of the small "European" ones from Amazon. Maybe will do. Thinking about it... it's another weekend project and I'm literally booked up until about 5/23 now with those...

 

[Rattus Suffocatus]

Want me to send you my BP meds that block calcium

I have plenty of my own, trust me.....