Calcium Chloride Salt Water Pool

[P2Pool]

Hello all. Am a novice to pool chemistry and am a new owner to an inground saltwater pool (Latham Corinthian 16 with jandy aquapure automation). Had my pool water tested at the store on 05/29/22 (clear 360 touch test) to which the results were as follows
FC: 0.99
TC: 1.45
pH: 7.7
T-Alk: 101
CH: 107
Stabilizer: 5
Salt: 3200

Was told to add 16 lbs of calcium to the pool as it was low, so added 8lbs of calcium chloride yesterday evening (06/05/22 after swimming) provided my pool is 15400 gal and wanted to go low and slow in adding. Had it retested today (06/06/22) which it resulted as follows:

TC: 0.65
pH: 8
T-Alk: 97ppm
CH: 141
Stabilizer 5
Salt: 2873

I noticed on my aquapure readout, my salinity is now 4.4gpl at 55% and wanted to ask if this is due to me adding in the calcium. It was previously averaging 3.5gpl at 55% with not much fluctuation prior to adding calcium, though want to know if I should be concerned. Also, should I have turned off my generator when adding in the calcium? Thanks in advance for the help

 

[AK-]

You are going to need a reliable test kit in order to manage your pool. The test result you posted are a great example of why we don’t trust pool stores. If your CH was 107 ppm and you added 56 ppm worth of calcium chloride it is just impossible your CH is 141 ppm now.

Make sure you get either a TF-Pro Salt, a TF-100 plus a K-1766 or a K-2006C-SALT.

 

[ajw22]

Yes, the calcium chloride increased your measured salt level.

@JoyfulNoise how do you add calcium without spiking the SWG salt level?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Yes, the calcium chloride increased your measured salt level.

@JoyfulNoise how do you add calcium without spiking the SWG salt level?

You don’t. Calcium chloride is one of a few soluble calcium compounds. Slaked lime, calcium hydroxide, is another but that would be very bad to add to a pool as the pH will spike.

Is this a fiberglass pool?

 

[P2Pool]

Yes, it's a fiberglass pool and apologize, have a nature fusion 2 soft 1400T. Appreciate all the help/insight and will look to order the K-2006C-SALT as recommended.

 

[JamesW]

The salt level will only go up about as much as the calcium level, so most likely the calcium was sucked into the main drain and hit the salinity sensor in a high concentration.

Turn off everything and then restart the SWG after the calcium is well mixed.

Always shut off the SWG when adding any chemicals until they are well mixed.

 

[P2Pool]

Got it, thanks @JamesW. Silly question, is it best to shut it off now and reset or wait a few more days to reset it once it's all mixed (unsure how long it takes to fully mix/saturate water). Also, this wouldn't ruin my salt cell would it? Truly appreciate the help

 

[JamesW]

Shut off the SWG and brush well whenever you add chemicals.

Depending on what you add and how much you wait until you feel that everything is well mixed.

Adding calcium should only require a wait of about an hour or less.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

What rubbish pool store test results!!
I would recommend getting the TF-Pro Salt.... best part is it comes with the Speed Stir! www.tftestkits.net
No one will do tests better than you...and you care more to do them correctly rather than just find a problem so you can make a sale.

When you add salt in particular to the pool, leave the SWG off until the next day. It takes a good day to really dissolve and mix well and you dont want to risk having any undissolved bits going thru the brain of the SWG, okay?

Your Nature2 Fusion device comes with minerals which can be problematic in particular for fiberglass pools. Metals like copper can build up in the water and stain the pool badly, as well as turn blond hair green. Perhaps you can remove that element of the device and just keep it for the salt water chlorination aspect?

Maddie