Calcium Chloride Latest inquiry

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sande005 said:
Wrong item - the MSDS for the one I linked to is: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-1548-496d-b8f8-fd597044884e.pdf?v=1712939031

Here's the one I noted a few times, but the Snow Joe web site, rather than Home Depot: Snow Joe MELT20CCP Pure Calcium Chloride Ice Melt 94% Pure Pellets
Hence the warning to shop carefully. They use the "MELT" name for several of their very different products.
Click to expand...
WTF...I went to the Snow Joe website and purchased it. It came back rejected and said sold out. Ugh.
 
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PoolStored said:
Yes.

Any local pool store should have what you need.

More expensive, but lots of options on amazon (see link below). 25lb packaging tends to be the cheapest...still expensive vs. local p@@l st@re.

Link--> https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pool+calcium+hardness+increaser
Click to expand...

I was researching this website and saw an older post from you on Dec. 17, 2022.

PoolStored said:
Most users report good results with Snow Joe (94% is good). The rest is likely moisture, Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride...though they don't report it. I would put Snow Joe in my pool.

Ice Melt For Calcium Chloride

What's your opinion today? I now have access to both 83-87% Dowflake Xtra and 94% SnowJoe Melt. Which would be better and you would use?
 
I transitioned, based on a number of experiences here, to dowflake. YMMV, but the Dow flake melts quick, but costs a bit more. And the SDS is complete. For the results, worth it to pay a bit more for piece of mind.
 
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I have no preference for the Snow Joe, Dowflake, or Puritech products chemically.

Dowflake, having a slight bit less CalCh might need 10% more to get to a pool target than the others. And if I needed, say 40 lbs, it would raise the salt level by 4 lbs of salt above the others. Since I have a SWCG, that extra money is not "wasted" on salt as I would then spend a bit less on what I would otherwise have to add of that. In a non-salt pool, some like adding a bit for a better water feel - but 4 lbs would be unnoticeable. At the prices I noted above, the DowFlake would then be $4-5 more expensive for the 40lb equivalent than SnowJoe. Immaterial in the grand scheme of things.

Availability would be the main driver for me. Delivered price - whether via a truck to the door or my driving to a store would only factor in if there was a huge difference - like over priced pool store vs another source. I like the smaller bags for SnowJoe. Easier to manage to dispense. Also, if unused left overs, the smaller full or partial bags would be easier to store.

With either Dowflake or SnowJoe I found adding directly to the pool any significant amount (10+ lbs) meant lots of brushing to keep it from forming a big clump on my liner. I worried that the heat produced if I just left it might make a mark. I am now a maverick in that area - it is frequently warned NOT to do what I do, due to the heat produced. But I line up 3-4 5 gal pails filled with COLD water, add 2-4 lbs to each, and use my drill mounted cement mixer to stir and dissolve it. Bucket gets a bit warmer to the touch, but not hot. Dump in the dissolved mix, and do it again if needed to get to a target. But maybe I worry about the effect of undissolved clumps too much.
 
sande005 said:
I have no preference for the Snow Joe, Dowflake, or Puritech products chemically.

Dowflake, having a slight bit less CalCh might need 10% more to get to a pool target than the others. And if I needed, say 40 lbs, it would raise the salt level by 4 lbs of salt above the others. Since I have a SWCG, that extra money is not "wasted" on salt as I would then spend a bit less on what I would otherwise have to add of that. In a non-salt pool, some like adding a bit for a better water feel - but 4 lbs would be unnoticeable. At the prices I noted above, the DowFlake would then be $4-5 more expensive for the 40lb equivalent than SnowJoe. Immaterial in the grand scheme of things.

Availability would be the main driver for me. Delivered price - whether via a truck to the door or my driving to a store would only factor in if there was a huge difference - like over priced pool store vs another source. I like the smaller bags for SnowJoe. Easier to manage to dispense. Also, if unused left overs, the smaller full or partial bags would be easier to store.

With either Dowflake or SnowJoe I found adding directly to the pool any significant amount (10+ lbs) meant lots of brushing to keep it from forming a big clump on my liner. I worried that the heat produced if I just left it might make a mark. I am now a maverick in that area - it is frequently warned NOT to do what I do, due to the heat produced. But I line up 3-4 5 gal pails filled with COLD water, add 2-4 lbs to each, and use my drill mounted cement mixer to stir and dissolve it. Bucket gets a bit warmer to the touch, but not hot. Dump in the dissolved mix, and do it again if needed to get to a target. But maybe I worry about the effect of undissolved clumps too much.
Click to expand...

I'm the same way. I like breaking down data in specifics. :)

The way I look at it, 94% of the 20 lbs. of Snow Joe yields 18.80 lbs. Whereas 83% of the 50 lbs. DowFlake yields 41.50 lbs.

I have a plaster pool. So you've tried both without issues and either one would be sufficient?
 
Maybe I'm crazy but I have been using this calcium chloride from BJs and have not noticed any issues in my pool
www.bjs.com

Berkley Jensen Winter Heat Ice Melt 50 lbs.

Melt ice fast and keep your paths clear with Berkley Jensen's 50 lbs. winter heat ice melt available at BJ's. Browse now and shop with BJs.com.
www.bjs.com
 
Lclark589 said:
Maybe I'm crazy but I have been using this calcium chloride from BJs and have not noticed any issues in my pool
www.bjs.com

Berkley Jensen Winter Heat Ice Melt 50 lbs.

Melt ice fast and keep your paths clear with Berkley Jensen's 50 lbs. winter heat ice melt available at BJ's. Browse now and shop with BJs.com.
www.bjs.com
Click to expand...

That's cheap. $21.99 for 50 lbs. Couldn't find the datasheet for it. It's not available in Florida.
 
Here's an old thread about it. Given the difficulty in actually finding an MSDS, I wouldn't reward them by buying, even if it was a great deal....
If there was a BJ's near me, being retired, I might waste part of the day making the store manager jump through hoops trying to find the MSDS for it, for entertainment. It is a federal requirement, after all.

BJ's Winter Heat Pure Ice Melt to Raise CH?
 
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Adonisinpool said:
I have a plaster pool. So you've tried both without issues and either one would be sufficient?
Click to expand...
Yes - used to only use Dowflake, and when it became hard to get in my area, went with the SnowJoe. Not much of concern for me to use any, with the vinyl liner, but will be next year when I get my replacement heater - they like I higher CH for their warranty.
I never noticed any difference between them other than cost and availability.
 
sande005 said:
Here's an old thread about it. Given the difficulty in actually finding an MSDS, I wouldn't reward them by buying, even if it was a great deal....
If there was a BJ's near me, being retired, I might waste part of the day making the store manager jump through hoops trying to find the MSDS for it, for entertainment. It is a federal requirement, after all.

BJ's Winter Heat Pure Ice Melt to Raise CH?
Click to expand...
It's moot at this point if we can't get it now, right?
 
sande005 said:
Yes - used to only use Dowflake, and when it became hard to get in my area, went with the SnowJoe. Not much of concern for me to use any, with the vinyl liner, but will be next year when I get my replacement heater - they like I higher CH for their warranty.
I never noticed any difference between them other than cost and availability.
Click to expand...

So if you had both of them in front of you, which one would you get? I can get both online now.

I've never tried anything except Pool Mate from Amazon and the Walmart calcium increaser and they're not cheap.
 
Adonisinpool said:
So if you had both of them in front of you, which one would you get? I can get both online now.

I've never tried anything except Pool Mate from Amazon and the Walmart calcium increaser and they're not cheap.
Click to expand...

Least expensive with delivery fees/taxes.
Unless there was a significant difference in shipping time, and I wanted it sooner.
 
Adonisinpool said:
I found one for $42.29 but I'm leery about this website. Has anyone heard of them?

www.govets.com

Ice & Snow Melter & De-Icer: Calcium Chloride Granular, 50 lb Bag MPN:28-6350

Ice & Snow Melter & De-Icer: Calcium Chloride Granular, 50 lb Bag
www.govets.com www.govets.com
Click to expand...
Hey Adonis,

Im in south Florida too and had low calcium hardness last week. I ordered this from Home depot. $35 for 40 pounds. It is 100% calcium chloride pellets. From the manufacturer "Yes, it is 100% calcium chloride with no other additives."

I added the amount they told me to on pool math to get me to the ideal level and it was spot on, brought my calcium hardness from 175 to 300 in one day.

Here is the link: Bare Ground 40 lbs. Box of Calcium Chloride Pellets BGCCP-40 - The Home Depot

Good luck! FYI I did two 7 pound containers because I did not need 40 pounds. They also can be stored nicely because they close with a cap.
 
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