Is high calcium bad for SWG?

[west1745]

Hi to all:

I have a new inground plaster pool - 6 months old. The calcium is high - around 480 as I just found out with my PS234 test kit.

Is there a worry with this level and the SWG developing scale?

Any advice is appreciated.

Also have a high (100) Cya level - which could be lowered soon enough with the rains and heat here in FL - so am trying to decide if I should drain and refill part of the pool or just wait and see. Or to just get something to lower the calcium - was reading about a chemical that can keep the calcium from developing scale on the SWG.

Thanks!

[PatL34]

The high calcium level may be the residue from leaching off the pool bottom and walls even after 6 months. With the CYA level at 100 ppm it may be worthwhile draining about a foot and refilling with softened water if you have it, and rechecking the CYA and CH.

You should not have a problem with scale on the cell, provided the pH is kept at 7.2 - 7.6. Check the cell once a week, and if there is any scale build up, do another drain to bring the CH down to about 300 ppm. The scale should hopefully disappear, without having to acid wash the cell.

I try not to add any chemicals designed to reduce scale that might interfere with operation of the SWCG. They are usually a quick fix sold by pool stores, that do not take care of the initial problem.

Hope this helps.

Pat