CH test

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simonoaks

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LifeTime Supporter
May 28, 2015
322
Juno Beach , Florida
Hi,

Been a couple of years since I tested CH.

Jut tried it, and sample went VERY light pink (like when You do an FC test and get to 2 drops from clear). I then added the reagent and after 30 drops it went clear but did not turn blue.

What shade of red is an indication of Calcium? I just feel like the test was useless even though it went from faint pink to clear/ slight blue hue after 30+ drops

thx
 
Here are the specific instructions: Pool School - Calcium Hardness. This test had me tricked for a long time until I gave it a chance, and by that I mean using enough drops. So first you add the (10) #10 drops right? Then the (3) #11-dark blue drops. Now if you have any calcium in the water, it will start to look a light purple after adding those 3 blue drops. So start mixing and adding drops of the #12 one at a time. Keep going until that light purple changes to a baby blue. That's the color you are looking for - baby blue. Multiply each drop by 25 and that's your CH.
 
I was doing it with 25ml. 20 drops then 5 then the counting. I thought it was supposed to turn red if calcium is present, then change from red to blue with the final count being when it no longer goes any darker blue.
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That works as well. For those who suspect they have a low CH level, and you might in FL if you get lots of water exchange from rain, then remember this note:
The sample may turn purple during the test, or go to blue for a moment and then turn back to red/pink. This is called a "fading endpoint" and is caused by interference from metal ions. If this happens, do the test again, but this time add five drops of R-0012 before adding any R-0010 or R-0011L. Remember to count the initial five drops in the total.
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Yes, I saw that. My concern is that the test is not properly working because when I add the first 2 chemicals, the water turns a super faint pink , like when you come to the end of an FC test and it is about to go clear. So, what does that mean? As I have not added any calcium in 2-3 years, and it used to be at 450 about 3 years ago, is there a 'average' drop per year?

It is not going blue straight off, so presume there is some calcium , however does the super faint pink mean there is too little to test properly ?
 
Ok, Just tested again using 10ml. It worked ok, so my CH is 200. Will go to pool calculator and figure out how much calcium chloride to add.

I have not done borates before, I presume it is best to leave that until last and do it when all other levels are in range ?

thx
 
Ok, Just tested again using 10ml. It worked ok, so my CH is 200. Will go to pool calculator and figure out how much calcium chloride to add.

I have not done borates before, I presume it is best to leave that until last and do it when all other levels are in range ?
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Glad you got it. Correct on the borates. Definitely wait until everything else is in good shape.
 

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I can understand that in FL. Maybe this will help:
Calcium hardness can be raised with calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate. They are available in some areas as Peladow, Dowflake, Tetra Flake, or Tetra 94, often sold as a deicer by hardware stores, and some big box stores, in colder climates. Pool stores will carry either calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate under a variety of names, including Hardness Plus, Balance Pak 300, Calcium Hardness Increaser, etc. Calcium products should be spread across the surface of the deep end of the pool
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Home Depot used to have something called "Pool Time Calcium Hardness Increaser".
 
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