Chemistry question: Is the calcium value for pools as Calium

[noquacks]

Thats it, people. Hopefully, you guys know. I asked the Leslie clerk/"tech", and she had the most puzzled look on her face. Sheesh......

her reply was typical of soomeone who tries to BS her way out of an answer, when one doesnt know....

Thanks

 

[chem geek]

Re: Chemistry question: Is the calcium value for pools as Ca

The Calcium Hardness (CH) is measured in units of parts-per-million (ppm) calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). ppm is a weight ratio and is effectively the same as milligrams per liter (mg/L) because pool water density is essentially 1 g/ml. So the calcium content of a pool in ppm Ca is 40.078/100.0869 = 0.400 times the ppm calcium carbonate amount. You usually add calcium chloride to increase CH and that has its own molecular weight which is 110.98 g/mole for anhydrous and 147.014 g/mole for dihydrate. The Pool Calculator will do the necessary calculations for you and in U.S., Metric or Imperial units as you desire.

The unit of measure that is particularly strange is that of Total Alkalinity (TA) which is also in units of ppm calcium carbonate. Because carbonate counts twice towards alkalinity (because it can accept two hydrogen ions before the pH 4.5 transition in the TA test), the TA is half what one would expect based on looking at bicarbonate, even after accounting for molecular weight differences.

 

[noquacks]

Re: Chemistry question: Is the calcium value for pools as Ca

Thnaks!