Chemical balance with heater

[librajenn626]

My husband is installing a heater for our pool tomorrow. I’ve heard that certain things like hardness need to be right in order to not damage the heater. It’s a stainless steel heat exchanger so my husband feels that because it’s stainless it won’t get affected by the water but I’m not so sure about that. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Richard320]

It's low pH that is worst on metals. If you keep the water nice for swimming, the heater will be happy, too.

 

[librajenn626]

Ok thanks. What about CH? I read somewhere that ~200 is the lowest it should be and mine is 125. Should I increase it or is that unnecessary and just a waste of money?

 

[librajenn626]

Hi. I have been debating whether or not to increase my CH and am looking for some serious input before I bother wasting money on unneeded chemicals. In past years when I would bring my water to be tested (yes, before I found this site I used to get my water tested at Leslie’s ) my CH was always low and most of the store reps would tell me that if I don’t have a heater then I don’t need to worry about CH because I have a vinyl pool. Well now this year we finally installed a heater. It’s a stainless steel heat exchanger that is piped right to our house’s hot water heater. My current CH is 125. I did read somewhere on this site that ~200 is a safe minimum level so should I increase my CH? Will my current level affect the heater at all? My husband thinks that because it’s stainless steel it won’t be affected by any chemical levels. Is that true?

P.S. - since finding this amazing site I do already know that pH is something I need to pay close attention to as that can definitely damage the heater.

 

[ajw22]

Is_Calcium_Level_Important_to_Heaters?

 

[mknauss]

Your heater is not a direct fired gas heater? If it is not, then the CH requirement is not applicable.

 

[librajenn626]

Your heater is not a direct fired gas heater? If it is not, then the CH requirement is not applicable.

No it’s not. Ok thanks!!!

 

[librajenn626]

Is_Calcium_Level_Important_to_Heaters?

Thanks. I have read that before and that’s where I heard about the CH minimum of ~200. I don’t know if that applies to all heaters or only certain kinds. Mine is a stainless steel heat exchanger so I don’t know if that makes any difference

 

[mknauss]

Direct gas fired heaters only. The CH requirement comes from the old standards concerning steam boilers.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. I have read that before and that’s where I heard about the CH minimum of ~200. I don’t know if that applies to all heaters or only certain kinds. Mine is a stainless steel heat exchanger so I don’t know if that makes any difference

I edited it to clarify that it only applies to gas heaters as Marty pointed out.

 

[librajenn626]

While I have you guys here...pool math is telling me that my pH and TA are outside the ideal range. It’s such a slight amount...should I bother adjusting them?

 

[mknauss]

should I bother adjusting them?

No. They are fine.

 

[librajenn626]

No. They are fine.

Thank you!!