Help with high CH

[TiredOfWorking]

First, I would like to thank the TFP community for all the knowledge I have gained since discovering this site.

I finally have a problem that I am unsure how to tackle.

I live in the Phoenix valley. The pool is in full sun.

I have high CH in my fill water. Generally, about 200 ppm.

My CH increases about 300ppm per year. Currently it is at 1000 ppm.

My CSI is always kept between -.1 and 0.

Current test results:

FC-5.5

PH-7.7

TA-50

CH-1000

CYA-70

Salt-3400

Borate~45

Temp 92

CSI- (-.06)

I have recently lowered my TA from 60 to 50 to slow pH rise. (I see that is now considered acceptable by Pool Math.) I was thinking of lowering it even more based on how my hot tub reacts to low TA.

However, I am now getting calcium buildup on surfaces that get splashed on. (Below waterfall and around sprinkler.) No buildup at water line.

I am sure I will need to drain and refill this winter.

Do you think lowering the TA had anything to do with this?

I hear that pools can be maintained at even higher CH levels. Do they all exhibit this Calcium precipitation on above water line surfaces?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Bruce

 

[mknauss]

You are essentially at the point you need to exchange to fresh water or have reverse osmosis treatment done with your pool water. It becomes very difficult to manage at your level CH.

 

[TiredOfWorking]

I forgot to put this in my first post.
Will a water softener hooked up to the fill line give me significantly more time before needing to drain and refill? Not to sure how water softeners work. Do they remove all CH from the water?

 

[mknauss]

A water softener will remove all the calcium from your fill water. It will create a situation that your water can last years.

You will still need to treat with acid as your TA will still rise.

I am planning to install a water softener just for our pool this winter. Will really be nice with a SWCG.

 

[BowserB]

Adding soft water to the pool will not remove existing calcium, however it will not increase the calcium. The soft water will have less calcium and magnesium than the water had before softening, but you'll still have to do a water exchange. Refilling with soft water may reduce the amount of water you have to replace, though. Note water softeners can use either sodium or potassium salt, with the latter being far more expensive but not adding sodium to the water (many people don't like sodium added to their drinking water or to the water that is used for their plants, for health reasons as both people and plant health can suffer from sodium-softened water.) We use a potassium salt water softener, including the autofill water, and so we have the reverse of your problem and have to add calcium to the pool.