Getting Calcium Levels Right

[FormerBromineUser]

Yes, you can get it at a pool store. Many people cheap-out and get ice-melt and other types but they can contain other metals that you do NOT want in your pool. I would go with a product made specifically for pools if it was my pool. I would start with 8 pounds or so and see where it takes you.

[jmarcum]

I was able to get pure CYA (Clorox brand) and CH up (Also Clorox brand) from Walmart. I bought 4 pounds of the CYA and 15 pounds of the CH. According to the container each 1 pound of CYA raises 12,000 gallons by 10ppm. Each pound of CH up raises CH by 10 ppm in 10,000 gallons.

Currently I show my CH at 100 and CYA at zero.

Would you agree that it's safe to add 2 pounds of CYA and 10 pounds of CH... wait 24 hours and test again?

[FormerBromineUser]

That looks pretty good, however, I wouldn't bother testing CYA again for at least 4 days or so. It takes a while before it will show up accurately on a test and you definitely don't want to overshoot on either CYA or CH.

[jmarcum]

On a completely unrelated note, maybe I should start a new thread but... I'm noticing that two of the jets that send water back in to the pool from the filter don't look right. Typically the water entering the pool is almost undetectable however from two of the jets the water appears to be mixed with a lot of air. I hadn't noticed this before today, of course I also haven't been looking at the pool over the winter. Could this be indicative of some type of issue? Here's a video of what's happening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJDn1QeIIns

[FormerBromineUser]

Oh my. That's a lot of air.... Is there any air in your pump basket? Have you lubed your o-ring lately? Do you have a bleed-valve on your filter? I am not very good at pump stuff and will see if I can get someone to chime-in.

[jmarcum]

There is something that appears to be a pressure release valve on the top of the filter. I'm not sure what O-ring you are talking about but I've not lubed anything.

[FormerBromineUser]

Well, I would try the pressure relief valve for sure. I always turn mine on after I get any air into the system, usually after I clean the pump basket.

The O-ring is inbetween the pump basket and its clear cover. As they start to get old, some pool lube (not vasoline), helps. Eventually they need to be replaced so that you can get a good seal.