Calcium Hardness for Gunite

[Timmygreen]

Hey All... SLAM is DONE.....pool looks AMAZING!!!A million thank you's.....So all levels are good, except calcium hardness came in at 230.....2 questions:

1. should I get the level up to 300?

2. Can someone please briefly explain the benefits of good calcium hardness for a gunite pool with plaster?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

It depends Timmy....where is Yardley?? Is it in Texas or Arizona or someplace really really hot and sunny?? If so, no need. Evaporation will cause your CH to rise on its own as the water leaves it leaves the calcium behind in the pool.

If you live in someplace not so sunny... like Maine? Yeah.. might not be a bad idea to raise it to 300. Helps protect the pool shell to keep adequate calcium in the water.

Your plaster pool has calcium in the mix. If your water didn't also contain calcium in adequate supply, the water would cause the calcium in the pool shell to leech into the water, weakening the plaster's lifespan. So what you're trying to do is keep a balance between the water and plaster.

Maddie

 

[Timmygreen]

Thanks Maddie. We live in PA, but the pool sees sun almost all day long.....do you think I should bring it up to 300 then?

 

[pooldv]

The recommend CH level for a non-SWG pool is 250 ppm. So, you are fine. It should creep up a little with evaporation. Pool School - Recommended Levels

You can add PA to your location over there <--------- and then we won't have to ask anymore.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Please add that PA to your location... it really helps when we need to answer a question like this.

Go ahead and take it to 300 if you like. No more than that. Your climate isn't so hot or dry that it will cause it to rise on its own too much.

How are your other test results?

Maddie

 

[Timmygreen]

thanks a bunch, and will add PA to my profile.