Hardness increaser less expensive than the pool store?

[Redwolf]

You are welcome Tfrailey. And thanks also Waterbear as you are a great source of information. I am really dreading putting the calcium in as I already have a cloudy pool.

[waterbear]

I am really dreading putting the calcium in as I already have a cloudy pool.

Adding calcium should not normally cloud the pool unless your pH/TA is very high. As a safeguard you can drop the pH to around 7.2 before adding the calcium, predissolve no more than about 5-10 lbs at at time in a large bucket of water and walk it around the pool, and break the additions into 3 or 4 with a wait of a few hours in between so everything can circulate and mix.
All that being said, I just broadcast the dry calcium chloride over the pool surface in two or three batches without really waiting in between and have never had a problem. My pH is between 7.6 and 7.8 and I keep my TA at 70 ppm.

[Redwolf]

I added the calcium in the distribution earlier today like you do, Waterbear. Since this was my first use of this product, I halved the calculated dose. Will add the additional 16# shortly. And, the water is actually clearer tonight! I started with Ca of 110, added 19#, got Ca of 190. So will add another 17#. This Qik Joe product had tiny pellets and seemed to dissolve quickly. I was just happy I could get it!

I wanted to get my Calcium balanced before I added the borates (BBB). Which I hope to start tomorrow. But, we have noticed a really pretty blue to our pool, so I am a little concerned about Copper. Have not researched this entirely yet. But our water when balanced looks like your photo. I am a bit concerned because we used Safer Muriatic Acid the past couple of years as my ph has a tendency, especially lately to go up. I just discovered on TFP this was not a good idea due to unknowns in the product. I think Ben wrote something on someone's thread about lowering ph to grab the copper out. So kind of wanted to do this while doing the process of getting my borates to 50 ppm. But got to find the threads for all this again.

Thanks for your input as always. ( on another topic..... what do you guys do down there for dollar weed control?)



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[Redwolf]

Ah, my water is beautiful, no more milky water. And, the color is clearer now. CA is 250 ppm with 36# CaCL2. I am tickled! Will likely bring it higher since we have heavy rains here.

Thanks to all on PF for your time and shared wisdom!

Now to battling the borates.....

[Watermom]

Great! Just in time for the fourth of July. Enjoy that clear beautiful water!

[Redwolf]

Thanks Watermom! The toe test will be the first this season! Happy 4th!