Calcium Hardness and Chloride Content with a SWG

[Chemicus Maximus]

Hello everyone,
This is my first post on the forum. I am working on getting my water in check for summer 2025. I currently have a calcium hardness of 150 ppm. I have a SWG and my salt (NaCl) is in the 3600 ppm range. I have seen recommendations to increase my calcium hardness, but have also read that it is not as critical for a fiberglass pool. One way I thought to increase the calcium content was to purchase CaCl2; however my NaCl is already at target. As I try to increase my Ca concentration I may risk increasing my Cl too high. Every molecule of Ca is brining two molecules of Cl as opposed to 1:1 for NaCl. If I add enough CaCl2 to bring my calcium up 150 ppm (a 40 lb. bag in my ~11k gal pool) I would increase my Cl content ~518 ppm. One workaround would be to dilute my NaCl content with a drain and fill and make up the lost Cl with CaCl2. My question to community here is whether this is worth it, or if 150 ppm Ca is fine in my pool?

I realize this info is in my signature, but to get in front of one potential question, my numbers are coming from a TF-Pro Salt test kit.

 

[Chemicus Maximus]

Hello everyone,
My pool was installed last year. I began on a BioGuard minerals program because it was part of the purchase of the pool. So my pool began with the aptly named BioGaurd "Beginnings" and we were supplied with the "Renewal" to use throughout the rest of the year. I was relying on pool store testing and the supplied strips last year, but this year I purchased a TF-Pro Salt kit and took the testing into my own hands. I have been working on getting my water balanced, and one stark issue is my CYA measures 100 ppm (confirmed by cutting pool water 1:1 with tap and multiplying the result by 2). I understand that is higher than recommended and the best approach is to dilute by replacing water with fresh. One thing that really bothers me is how it ever became this high. Most attribute high CYA to use of dichlor / trichlor tablets. I have never used those as I have a SWG and use NaCl. I understand BioGuard does not disclose everything that is in their minerals, but I did not see any reference to these materials containing CYA. Does anyone know if these do contain CYA? If not, any thoughts on how my CYA would get so high without use of dichlor / trichlor? This is for my own edification so I can hopefully avoid the high CYA in the future.

 

[ajw22]

Mineral Springs System - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

What are the Mineral Springs Chemicals?​

The Mineral Springs products contain a mixture of salt, acids, and CYA. In addition to being quite expensive, they don't allow you to adjust each of those levels separately.

What is in Beginnings?​

Beginnings is a mixture of pool salt, borax, and CYA.

What is in Renewal?​

Renewal is a mixture of dry acid(sodium bisulfate), boric acid, and phosphonic acid (scale inhibitor).

What Are Alternatives to Mineral Springs Chemicals?​

Pool salt or water softener salt can be used with the Mineral Springs SWG.

Stabilizer/CYA can be added as needed.

pH is best controlled using muriatic acid.

Borates in pool can added separately with boric acid.

Scale inhibitors are not needed unless you have a high calcium hardness problem or metals in the water.

 

[ajw22]

150 ppm of CH is fine if your pool manufacturer does not specify differently and you do not have a gas heater.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

If you do add calcium chloride it does not effect your salt levels enough to worry about it.