Looking for easy maintenance

[PoolDoc]

I just looked at your thread title: I'm afraid that with a CH of 700, "easy" may be out of reach. I think the best we can offer is "easier".

Anyhow, as a starting place, test pH, TA, and CH on your well water. Post those results.

It's possible to drop out calcium, but it may be easier to dump and refill, depending on what's coming out of your well.

Also, you need to get yourself some distilled water from Walmart, before you test CH again. Mix 1/4 cup pool water with 1/2 cup distilled. Mix and test. Multiply the result x3. It's easier that way, and saves on calcium reagent.

[HopeV]

From my outdoor spigot:
pH 7
TA 320
CH 720

[PoolDoc]

Yup. That's some tough water to work with.

I actually wish I had some here, so I could test some of the methods we've recommended easily. It would be a pain to mix a batch that duplicated that! But, I don't wish it on pool owners!

Anyhow, you certainly can't solve your problems by draining and refilling. And, unfortunately, there aren't any handy-dandy chemical treatments for calcium -- or at least, none that I'd want to swim in! There are 2 options for you.

1. Lower your TA to 60 - 70 and keep your pH below 7.6. That should be fairly easy.

2. DELIBERATELY precipitate the calcium, let it settle, and then vacuum it out. Doing this is rather a pain.

Once you've done either of these, IF you have a sand filter, I think there's a long term option that can make maintenance relatively easy.

Assuming you are going to pursue the easier option, you need to read about using muriatic acid safely, and about lowering alkalinity:

http://pool9.net/ma/
http://pool9.net/alk-step/