Balancing advice for my situation with high TA, low calcium

[NSBFAN]

Hello all,

I'm getting my pool into good balance after opening a week or so ago. I'm managing chlorine and PH well, but my TA was crazy high, at 200. PH was around 8, so I've been bringing that down each day with muriatic acid. TA has come down to 170 so far. I know I can keep up the acid use to lower it. But my Calcium Hardness is 170, so I need to bring that up.

My question is, should I wait on the Calcium increase until after I get TA in line? Or should I do it first, or does it matter?

thanks.

 

[Texas Splash]

Are you trying to increase the CH solely for your heater? If so, what's your minimum for it? 200, 250?

 

[NSBFAN]

Hi Pat. I was only looking to increase CH as it is well below the recommended range. I don't know about needing a specific level for the heater. That is new to me. Anyway, I was just curious if I should get the TA under control first or increase CH now as well.

 

[Donldson]

Your signature indicates you have a vinyl pool. Is that accurate?

 

[Newdude]

I was only looking to increase CH as it is well below the recommended range

CH doesnt matter for vinyl pools.

I don't know about needing a specific level for the heater

Gas heater manufacturers like 200s for CH. Which model do you have ?

 

[NSBFAN]

Your signature indicates you have a vinyl pool. Is that accurate?

Yes it is vinyl.

 

[NSBFAN]

CH doesnt matter for vinyl pools.

Gas heater manufacturers like 200s for CH. Which model do you have ?

It is a Rheem Raypak p r266a.

 

[NSBFAN]

Regarding TA, I decided to test my house water that is used to add to pool when needed is 320. Hmmm.

 

[Newdude]

It is a Rheem Raypak p r266a.

I'd go with 150 because the heater doesnt know what the finish type is so if its ok for one it ok for all. Raypak just went with typical industry advice IMO



For 'all others' vinyl / plaster not shown in a 3rd column it was 200 to 400 for CH.

 

[NSBFAN]

Thanks. Interesting. Definitely different than my gunite pool when I was in FL.
My pool water did not feel great. The only number off when we swam was the TA at 190.

 

[Newdude]

The only number off when we swam was the TA at 190.

To drop that quicker than it normally happens on its own, maintain Ph in the low 7s. Every cycle of 7.0 - 7.5 - 7.0 (or thereabouts) will lower the TA some. Once its double digits switch to 7.6 to 8 app cycles.

decided to test my house water that is used to add to pool when needed is 320. Hmmm

I dont think it will make a ton of difference up north. We all get a couple feet of rain or the weather is favorable for less evaporation most of the time.