Calcium Scale before TFP

AmyCJeff

Gold Supporter
May 31, 2023
141
Henderson, NV
Pool Size
19000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello:) So, I know this is an old thread, but I have been reading it and found it VERY helpful.

It appears based on this thread, that I have a similar problem that you had. It also appears you successfully dealt with it.

I started following TFP method in June (started with a FULL pool drain/refill). I have been successful in now keeping all of my chemicals in balance and my pool looks amazing!

EXCEPT - I have calcium scale that is tan in color(trapped dirt) in various area on the floor. This happened when I was NOT maintaining my pool properly over last winter.
FC = 0
PH = 8+
TA = 300
CH = 1600
CYA = 110

I am working on maintaining a negative CSI -.3 to loosen the scale and get rid of the dirt/calcium scale.
Based on what you posted, that actually might work after a few months. So, that gives me hope! So, it acuatlly worked for you to get rid of the scale? Do you have to Brush a ton each week? Or did the scale just start "falling out"?

You said to not maintain a Ph less than 7.2. Well, because of my High CH, I have to aim for 7.0 - 7.2 (but as high as 7.4). In order to get a CSI = -.3
Do you think aiming for ph = 7.0 is OK...... if my numbers:

FC = 12*
Ph = 7.0- 7.6
TA = 50-60
CH = 925
CYA = 50

*I also aim for a higher FC so I can go a few days without adding Chlorine and in some off chance I can "bleach" some of the dirt-stained calcium. Maybe wishful thinking....lol

Anyways...just wanted to thank you because you have given me some hope:)
 
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Hello:) So, I know this is an old thread, but I have been reading it and found it VERY helpful.

It appears based on this thread, that I have a similar problem that you had. It also appears you successfully dealt with it.

I started following TFP method in June (started with a FULL pool drain/refill). I have been successful in now keeping all of my chemicals in balance and my pool looks amazing!

EXCEPT - I have calcium scale that is tan in color(trapped dirt) in various area on the floor. This happened when I was NOT maintaining my pool properly over last winter.
FC = 0
PH = 8+
TA = 300
CH = 1600
CYA = 110

I am working on maintaining a negative CSI -.3 to loosen the scale and get rid of the dirt/calcium scale.
Based on what you posted, that actually might work after a few months. So, that gives me hope! So, it acuatlly worked for you to get rid of the scale? Do you have to Brush a ton each week? Or did the scale just start "falling out"?

You said to not maintain a Ph less than 7.2. Well, because of my High CH, I have to aim for 7.0 - 7.2 (but as high as 7.4). In order to get a CSI = -.3
Do you think aiming for ph = 7.0 is OK...... if my numbers:

FC = 12*
Ph = 7.0- 7.6
TA = 50-60
CH = 925
CYA = 50

*I also aim for a higher FC so I can go a few days without adding Chlorine and in some off chance I can "bleach" some of the dirt-stained calcium. Maybe wishful thinking....lol

Anyways...just wanted to thank you because you have given me some hope:)
How did you get a CH of 925 after draining? Is your fill water really that high? I almost think you need to work on getting the calcium level down more than trying to hold the pH low.
 
How did you get a CH of 925 after draining? Is your fill water really that high? I almost think you need to work on getting the calcium level down more than trying to hold the pH low.
Bperry..thanks for responding:)

Well...I started with pool water CH = 1600
- the Fill water CH = 300
- I did a 100% no drain/refill in June, expect I didn't do the last 500 galloons in the pool. And I didn't do it perfectly (I got some mixing), so ended up with about CH = 700 after the refill. But I was happy that I cut my CH in half:)
- Then Summer heat/evaporation over the summer took it past 1000.
- Then, We got some really good rain, so it's currently at 925

I am planning on doing another drain...but I wanted to space it out a bit. And I have managed to figure out everything else and keep everything else balanced and I have no calcium lines at the water line or at my spillover....so, I figured I could buy some time.

I was actually aiming for PH 7.6-7.8, which I found to be the "Sweet spot" for my pool. The problem was....my PH was so steady that I was hardly adding any MA over a 3 week period (only 66 ounces). Well, in that 3 week time frame, my TA rose from 50-80 because my fill water has a TA = 180. So, since I needed to add MA more frequently to keep my TA low...I figured I had nothing to lose aiming for a low PH.

But, yeah ultimately I have to come to terms with the fact that I think have to just live with the stains and just aim to keep my chemicals nice and balanced and CSI around zero.

I did try a trick tonight....Directly applying MA to the calcium build-up using one of those things to attach to a brush pole. It appears that it might have had a slight impact...if so, I might just go that route to deal with the calcium/dirt scale. It will be a very slow go and obviously will have to focus on the worst spots...but the fact that it had impact makes me think I am on the right track:)
 
Having been raised in Vegas and very familiar with the surrounding areas (i.e. Henderson, Boulder City, etc) I can sympathize with your hard water issues. Now that the summer monsoon season is gone, your only hope for rain might be some winter moisture, but aside form that it's all about the water you use to fill. It is very difficult to maintain a low pH and TA over the period of several weeks/months to keep the CSI low so that (hopefully) the water will be aggressive enough to dissolve accumulated scale. Results vary for sure. If you do continue aggressive actions to with acid to keep the pH/TA low, eventually you will need a little baking soda if the TA falls below 50. Also, while you are keeping the water aggressive, be mindful of any hardware in your pool or at the equipment pad so that corrosion doesn't become an issue. I think your idea of treating the staining manually when the pool is empty may be a good method.

Come Dec-Feb. you might take advantage of another large water exchange, then as noted above, consider supplementing water top-offs with a water softener. That may be the only way you can keep the CH level somewhat close to earth. Thousands of TFP members across CA, NV, AZ, NM are able to find a good routine, so I'm sure you will too.
 
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Bperry..thanks for responding:)

Well...I started with pool water CH = 1600
- the Fill water CH = 300
- I did a 100% no drain/refill in June, expect I didn't do the last 500 galloons in the pool. And I didn't do it perfectly (I got some mixing), so ended up with about CH = 700 after the refill. But I was happy that I cut my CH in half:)
- Then Summer heat/evaporation over the summer took it past 1000.
- Then, We got some really good rain, so it's currently at 925

I am planning on doing another drain...but I wanted to space it out a bit. And I have managed to figure out everything else and keep everything else balanced and I have no calcium lines at the water line or at my spillover....so, I figured I could buy some time.

I was actually aiming for PH 7.6-7.8, which I found to be the "Sweet spot" for my pool. The problem was....my PH was so steady that I was hardly adding any MA over a 3 week period (only 66 ounces). Well, in that 3 week time frame, my TA rose from 50-80 because my fill water has a TA = 180. So, since I needed to add MA more frequently to keep my TA low...I figured I had nothing to lose aiming for a low PH.

But, yeah ultimately I have to come to terms with the fact that I think have to just live with the stains and just aim to keep my chemicals nice and balanced and CSI around zero.

I did try a trick tonight....Directly applying MA to the calcium build-up using one of those things to attach to a brush pole. It appears that it might have had a slight impact...if so, I might just go that route to deal with the calcium/dirt scale. It will be a very slow go and obviously will have to focus on the worst spots...but the fact that it had impact makes me think I am on the right track:)
Definitely consider the water softener proposal above.
 
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