Getting pool ready for swimming! Couple of questions...

[court475]

First off, I just like to thank you all for getting me started on BBB when we got our AG pool last summer. Thanks to my good friend bleach every now and then, my pool stayed nice and clear all winter. For some reason, my CYA did drop a bit. So we are adding some today and, with the pool already at 77 degrees, we should be swimming before we know it!

The big question I have is regarding calcium - it is practically zero. How important is it to raise and, how high should I aim for?

Also, my Ph is always hovering at 7.8, and we use acid to lower. Is there any way to stabilize the Ph some at a lower number so we aren't constantly adding acid?

Thanks so much!

[chem geek]

If your calcium dropped as well as your CYA, then you likely had dilution of your pool water (maybe from winter rains?). Anyway, with regards to calcium, your vinyl pool (I assume, because it's above ground) does not need calcium carbonate saturation because there is no exposed plaster/gunite/grout to the water.

I am surprised, however, that you report ZERO calcium since even fill water has calcium in it (though rain water probably doesn't). I've never received a definitive answer regarding the use of calcium to help slow down corrosion of metal in equipment, but it seems like a little doesn't hurt so having 100 ppm of calcium hardness (CH) is probably a good idea. I just wish I could be more certain that having no calcium isn't a problem, but I'm not, so playing it safe with some calcium is probably you're best bet.

If you had any plaster/gunite/grout exposed to the water, then I would be recommending the normal recommendation of around 300 ppm CH.

As for stabilizing pH, the easiest way to do that is to lower your TA level to 80 ppm or even 70 ppm (if your CYA is at 30 ppm). Follow Ben's Lowering Your Alkalinity procedure to lower your TA. Also, if you have lots of aeration in your pool (waterfall, fountain) that will tend to make the pH rise faster. If you use a pool cover, your rise in pH will virtually be eliminated, but I think lowering your TA is your best bet -- what was your TA when you experienced this rising pH problem?

Richard

[Watermom]

Having ph at 7.8 is not a problem. If that is the level that your pool seems to want to stay at, then let it. Anywhere between 7.2-7.8 is OK.

[court475]

I've always had practically no calcium in the pool. I've tested it several times, with 2 kits (Ben's being one of them). When we started, the TA was WAY high (close to 300, maybe) and it's now around 160. I'll try to lower it some more, and I'll probably go ahead and add some calcium. Thanks for your replies!

[GraceByDesign]

never mind...