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Managing Total Hardness & Calcium Hardness

Total hardness in water consists of both calcium and magnesium ions and is the sum of both is the total hardness of pool water.

Water from natural sources such as tap water or rainwater, don’t contain any calcium or magnesium.

Only the calcium component is relevant for calculating water balance in swimming pools.

Calcium hardness must be properly managed so it doesn’t affect pool surfaces, plumbing or the water quality.

Relationship Between Total Hardness & Calcium Hardness

A salt water or manually chlorinated pool that has never had minerals added, will only contain calcium hardness.

Mineral pools have magnesium as part of their composition, with the percentage of magnesium varying between different manufacturers.

A magnesium pool will have both calcium and magnesium hardness contributing to the total hardness of the pool water.

Testing & Measurement

Pool test strips only measure total hardness, so calcium hardness and magnesium hardness levels need to be separated.

This can be done by testing the water with a titration test or a high-end photometer capable of measuring both.

Depending on the mineral manufacturer, the total hardness measurement from a typical mineral pool will have 30% calcium hardness and 70% magnesium hardness when the water is properly balanced.

Managing Calcium Harness

To have your pool water balanced and not degrade your pool’s surfaces, pipework or equipment, it is necessary to regularly monitor calcium hardness levels.

Both low and high calcium levels can cause damage to your valuable pool asset.

Low Calcium Hardness

Pool water that is low in calcium hardness can become acidic and etch surfaces in concrete pools or damage the gel coat in fibreglass pools.

Low calcium levels in vinyl liner pools can have the liner become brittle, faded or wrinkle over time.

High Calcium Hardness

Water that is high in calcium hardness can make the pool turn cloudy, unless the pH and alkalinity levels are adjusted to compensate.

Cloudiness occurs when calcium hardness exceeds the water’s saturation point and can lead to calcium deposits forming on the pool walls, floor and plumbing pipe-work.

Test calcium hardness at least once a month to keep levels within the recommended range of 80 to 500 parts per million (ppm).

Increasing Calcium Hardness

Calcium chloride, also known as Calcium Increaser, Calcium Up or Harness Increaser is added to pool water to increase calcium harness levels.

Decreasing Calcium Hardness

Lowering calcium levels is challenging, but can be achieved by either of the following:

  • The most successful method is through dilution, which is part-draining some of the water from your pool and replacing it with softer water.
  • The percentage of water to be drained can be calculated by determining the difference between the current and required salinity levels of your pool.
  • Using flocculent to coagulate high levels of calcium, causing it to drop to the bottom of the pool.
  • The sediment will then need to be vacuumed to waste to remove it from your pool.
  • Reducing the calcium levels chemically with a calcium decreaser product is another option.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dosage quantities and procedures for adding to your pool.

Another solution is to try find an economical reverse osmosis service in your area.

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Introducing Effective Solutions

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Your Path to Clarity

By embracing effective pool maintenance practices and utilising POOLWATER-PRO.COM, you can overcome chemical balancing challenges and easily maintain a clear and inviting pool.

Spend less time worrying and more time splashing with your own pool expert on hand.

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Logo

Introducing Effective Solutions

Simplify your pool maintenance routine with POOLWATER-PRO.

Our software turns test-strips into accurate digital readings, right from your phone.

Get instant alerts to know if your pool is safe to swim, plus any chemicals needed.

Your Path to Clarity

By embracing effective pool maintenance practices and utilising POOLWATER-PRO.COM, you can overcome chemical balancing challenges and easily maintain a clear and inviting pool.

Spend less time worrying and more time splashing with your own pool expert on hand.

Visit POOLWATER-PRO.COM to learn more and embark on your journey to pool clarity today.

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Calendar

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The Calendar pages of PoolWater-Pro have been specially developed to help you add Scheduled Maintenance with a repeat frequency for your pool. Once you have saved the maintenance schedule, PoolWater-Pro will automatically create appointments and provide you with reminders when your pool maintenance is due. This not only helps you stay on track with your pool maintenance routine but also ensures that your pool remains in great condition year-round. If you mark the Scheduled Maintenance as completed when done, any chemicals added or tasks completed will become part of your pool maintenance records that can be viewed or searched at a later time. This feature is particularly useful for pool owners who want to keep track of their pool maintenance history, make adjustments to their pool maintenance routine based on past experiences and ensure that their pool is consistently well-maintained. With PoolWater-Pro, you can easily manage your pool maintenance tasks and keep your pool in top condition with minimal effort. The intuitive and easy-to-use interface of PoolWater-Pro makes it easy to add, update and view your pool maintenance schedules and records. You can then focus on enjoying your pool rather than worrying about its upkeep. Whether you are a seasoned pool owner or a first-time pool owner, PoolWater-Pro is the perfect tool to help you keep your pool in great condition.

Scheduled Pool Maintenance

scheduled maintenance

The Calendar pages on PoolWater-Pro offer a simple and user-friendly way to add new scheduled pool maintenance tasks. Whether you need to clean the filter, balance chemicals or perform any other maintenance tasks, you can easily add them to the calendar and set a frequency for them to repeat if required. This feature helps you stay on top of your pool maintenance tasks and ensures that your pool remains in pristine condition year-round. In addition to adding new scheduled maintenance tasks, you can also edit or delete any previous tasks from the same section. This allows you to make any necessary adjustments to your pool maintenance schedule as and when required. For example, if you need to reschedule a task or remove a task from your maintenance routine, you can do so easily and quickly from within the Calendar pages. The ability to edit or delete previous scheduled pool maintenance tasks is particularly useful for pool owners who want to keep their pool maintenance schedule up-to-date and make changes as needed. By making adjustments to your maintenance routine, you can ensure that your pool remains in excellent condition and avoid any potential issues that may arise from a lapse in maintenance. PoolWater-Pro provides an efficient and hassle-free way to manage your pool maintenance schedule. With the ability to add, edit and delete scheduled maintenance tasks, you can keep your pool in excellent condition with minimal effort and enjoy your pool to the fullest.

PoolWater-Pro

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PoolWater-Pro is an excellent resource for pool owners who want to ensure that their pool water remai