Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Btw, since you have a plaster finish pool, you'll want to pay attention to the CSI number in the link I provided.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
So glad you are at 7.2! Always be conservative with additions. Better to undershoot than overshoot!
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FormerBromineUser
So glad you are at 7.2! Always be conservative with additions. Better to undershoot than overshoot!
+1
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Should I bother trying to raise my TA? It's currently 40.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jmarcum
Should I bother trying to raise my TA? It's currently 40.
If your pH stays stable and your CSI is good, then I wouldn't worry about your TA number. I suspect though that you may end up needing to raise it some.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
PH holding steady at 7.2
When I plug all my numbers into the calculator the CSI say -0.91 -0.52. That seems to be indicative of something bad but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do to fix it.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...01/Capture.jpg
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth.
From what I was told (by chem geek), your CSI should be between -0.3 and +0.3. I try to shoot for the middle of all the recommendations on that page. For your setup I would probably go with:
FC - 3 or 4
pH - 7.6
TA - 80
CH - 300
CYA - 40
Assuming no SWCG and with a temp of 65 your CSI would be -.11 which the calculator will tell you the water is balanced. If your water ever got up to 100, your CSI wold be +.19 which would still be balanced. Right now with the current numbers you've input, "Corrosion of plaster is likely". If you go the other way and your CSI is +.3 or greater "Scaling is possible".
I played with that calculator quite a bit to figure out what would be best for my spa and for the pool. Seems to be working out pretty well for me.
Figure out what works best for you and then try to hold those numbers.
Hope I didn't over step my boundaries. Good luck!
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Toybuilder
I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth.
From what I was told (by chem geek), your CSI should be between -0.3 and +0.3. I try to shoot for the middle of all the recommendations on that page. For your setup I would probably go with:
FC - 3 or 4
pH - 7.6
TA - 80
CH - 300
CYA - 40
Assuming no SWCG and with a temp of 65 your CSI would be -.11 which the calculator will tell you the water is balanced. If your water ever got up to 100, your CSI wold be +.19 which would still be balanced. Right now with the current numbers you've input, "Corrosion of plaster is likely". If you go the other way and your CSI is +.3 or greater "Scaling is possible".
I played with that calculator quite a bit to figure out what would be best for my spa and for the pool. Seems to be working out pretty well for me.
Figure out what works best for you and then try to hold those numbers.
Hope I didn't over step my boundaries. Good luck!
I would add to be careful not to go too low on the FC. 3 is at the lowest end recommended for your CYA; it leaves no room for error. I'd shoot for mid recommended range, so about 5ppm.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Toybuilder
I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth.
From what I was told (by chem geek), your CSI should be between -0.3 and +0.3. I try to shoot for the middle of all the recommendations on that page. For your setup I would probably go with:
FC - 3 or 4
pH - 7.6
TA - 80
CH - 300
CYA - 40
Assuming no SWCG and with a temp of 65 your CSI would be -.11 which the calculator will tell you the water is balanced. If your water ever got up to 100, your CSI wold be +.19 which would still be balanced. Right now with the current numbers you've input, "Corrosion of plaster is likely". If you go the other way and your CSI is +.3 or greater "Scaling is possible".
I played with that calculator quite a bit to figure out what would be best for my spa and for the pool. Seems to be working out pretty well for me.
Figure out what works best for you and then try to hold those numbers.
Hope I didn't over step my boundaries. Good luck!
I don't understand how to change the CSI though. Are you saying if I hit all the all numbers the CSI will just fall in line?
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jmarcum
I don't understand how to change the CSI though. Are you saying if I hit all the all numbers the CSI will just fall in line?
CSI is calculated based on the numbers you out in. You can play around with different chem levels and you will see CSI change. For example, try the numbers Toy suggested and see how it affects the CSI number.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JimK
CSI is calculated based on the numbers you out in. You can play around with different chem levels and you will see CSI change. For example, try the numbers Toy suggested and see how it affects the CSI number.
What JimK said! :)
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Great posts, guys!
Yea, just try inputing different numbers. Like: if I raise my pH, my new CSI is ___. If I raise CH, and raise/lower pH, my CSI is ___. Play with the numbers until something makes sense for your pool.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Edit to above: I noticed on your screen shot that you had several variables that you were adjusting. To experiment with CSI, keep your values the same for both current and target. Only change the target on one, maybe two parameters at a time. These are the parameters that matter: pH, TA, CH, CYA, Temp, and includes any Borates and Salt.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
The easiest thing to change is PH because it is a one for one change. Increase PH by 0.5 increases CSI by 0.5. TA and CH changes have less impact.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mas985
The easiest thing to change is PH because it is a one for one change. Increase PH by 0.5 increases CSI by 0.5. TA and CH changes have less impact.
Well, that's very interesting. Never noticed that before. Learn something new everyday.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
I didn't notice that either, though I don't pay close attention to CSI since I have a vinyl lined pool.
Re: Getting Calcium Levels Right
Let us know if you need help figuring things out. We can play with your numbers if you give us a current set of test values!