Where to start

[Jenna74]

God morning,

My pool is out of whack. I’ve been struggling with high PH and algae all summer. 20,000 gallon salt water pool. Plaster. SWG.
PH 8.2
Chlorine 1
Total alkalinity 130
CYA 30
Calcium hardness 825
Salt 2600

I’m planning to add Muriatic acid lower the PH and stabilizer to raise the CYA. Also add chlorine. Should I add everything in one day, or concentrate on one thing first? If I understand correctly, the Muriatic acid will help lower the calcium hardness, but is it too high for that to work? Would it be better to drain some water? Thank you for any advice.

 

[PoolStored]

Muriatic acid will lower pH and TA. It will do nothing for CH.

The only way to lower CH is to replace water. You can read about the no drain water exchange here:

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

If you have algae, follow the SLAM process. Except for your pH, you pool water is perfect for SLAM.

Here is a link to the process...Link-->SLAM Process

You can either SLAM, then replace, or replace and SLAM.

Either way, get 5ppm of liquid chlorine in the pool now.

 

[Jenna74]

Thank you, I’ll start replacing the water. How do I determine how much water needs to be replaced to get the calcium hardness to an appropriate level?

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you, I’ll start replacing the water. How do I determine how much water needs to be replaced to get the calcium hardness to an appropriate level?

It is 1:1. If your fill water is high CH, I'd lower it to 200. If you are at 800, replacing 75% will get you close.

Test and post your fill water CH.

 

[Jenna74]

That’s a lot of water! My fill water is around 275. Is there anything else that can lower calcium hardness?

 

[PoolStored]

Unfortunately no. You can use a water softener as your fill water. That will reduce the CH you add to essentially 0.

You can also do a reverse osmosis filter on the pool water ($$)

Here is a long thread on adding water softener.

Calcium hardness super high - planning to drain this weekend but will be on-going issue

Hi friends, this is year 2 with my gunnite pool (pebblesheen coating on top). I tested for calcium hardness for the first time in a few months and its pretty darn high (1300) which isn't surprising because the water here in vegas is hard. I'm planning to drain a portion of my pool. Pool math is...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jenna74]

Oh wow….I have my work cut out for me. I guess this explains the buildup on the tile though.

 

[PoolStored]

Yep, scale.

 

[Jenna74]

Hopefully I will be done with the water exchange tonight. Will the calcium naturally rise with high temperatures, or can I maintain it if the PH and other levels stay in balance?

 

[wireform]

If you fill the pool with the water you have on hand it'll only be 275. The problem is when you keep adding due to evaporation, that's when it starts getting high as the calcium doesn't evaporate. For filling back due to evaporation you can use a water softener so it won't add more calcium.

 

[Jenna74]

If you fill the pool with the water you have on hand it'll only be 275. The problem is when you keep adding due to evaporation, that's when it starts getting high as the calcium doesn't evaporate. For filling back due to evaporation you can use a water softener so it won't add more calcium.

You are talking about an external water softener, correct? Not chemical?

 

[wireform]

You are talking about an external water softener, correct? Not chemical?

Yes