These are symptoms of swimming pool water that is unbalanced.
Does calcium hardness matter vinyl pool.
If your pool has a vinyl or fiberglass liner the calcium hardness level should be between 175 parts per million ppm and 225 ppm.
Calcium on the low and high end of the scales will eventually cause problems and when they do be ready for some serious problems.
Calcium hardness must be actively managed along with ph and total alkalinity to keep water in proper chemical balance.
The ideal reading for calcium hardness in pool water is about 200 to 400 parts per million.
Low calcium as is often the case will cause long term serious damage especially to plaster vinyl liners grout in between tiles metal rails and even concrete decking around the.
If you have a concrete or plaster pool keep the level between 200 ppm and 275 ppm.
Fortunately calcium hardness changes rather slowly so a once a month testing and adjustment should be all you need.
Low calcium levels in the pool.
For vinyl pools calcium should be between 150 250 ppm.
In reality calcium is actually your best friend for water balance as it is remarkably stable and able to help you keep your pool in lsi balance year.
Calcium hardness has a bad reputation and that reputation is undeserved.
When people see calcium scale or plaster problems that are white in color they immediately assume it s calcium s fault.
An edited version of this article originally appeared in the summer 2007 issue of the edge a publication of the northeast spa pool association.
Calcium hardness is also very important to the chemical balancing of your vinyl liner swimming pool.
A low level can result in foaming which is unpleasant but shouldn t harm the liner.
If calcium hardness goes above 400 ppm you will likely see a white flaky crust on the liner and pool equipment.
It also produces itchy skin.
The recommended range is 150 400 ppm parts per million with an often cited stricter range of 200 400 ppm.
Keeping your calcium hardness in the midpoint.