Learn how to lower calcium hardness in a pool with this step by step guide from the experts at ePoolSupply. Managing calcium levels keeps your pool water clear and protects pool equipment. Calcium hardness refers to the concentration of calcium ions present in water. Pool owners in regions like Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California often face challenges in managing calcium hardness because of the area's naturally hard water.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to lower calcium hardness in your pool and minimize its adverse effects on water quality, equipment, and surfaces. We’ll also explore the causes of calcium hardness and provide step-by-step solutions to help you achieve the right water chemistry balance.
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What Is Calcium Hardness?
Calcium hardness indicates the softness or hardness of your pool water by measuring the level of dissolved calcium ions. Ideally, the calcium hardness should fall within the range of 200 to 400 ppm. Calcium can enter your pool from various sources, such as tap water, leaching from plaster surfaces, or evaporation.
You might be familiar with the term "total hardness," which involves a different measurement. While calcium hardness focuses solely on the calcium content, total hardness accounts for both calcium and other materials present in the water.
Effects of High Calcium Hardness in Pools
Excessive calcium hardness can negatively affect your pool in several ways.
- First, you may notice the water turning cloudy, along with reduced efficiency from your pool filters.
- Additionally, scale buildup is likely to occur on the pool's surfaces, tiles, plumbing, and equipment.
- This can lead to potential damage to heaters, pumps, and other components, which in turn will raise maintenance costs and significantly shorten the lifespan of your pool equipment.
How To Test for Calcium Hardness
You can test your pool water using tools like test strips, liquid test kits, or digital meters. For calcium hardness, it’s best to use a drop test, as other tests may only measure total hardness.
Here’s how to test for calcium hardness:
- Collect pool water samples with the water collector that’s provided with the kit.
- Add the recommended number of drops of reagent and buffer for testing.
- Swirl to mix.
- Add calcium hardness reagent, swirl, and count each drop until the color changes from red to blue.
- Multiply the number of drops used by the equivalence factor in the test instructions to determine the level of calcium hardness. Your reading will be shown as parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate.
Calcium hardness should be tested at least once a month. Testing is recommended more frequently in arid climates and areas with hard water issues.
Interested in getting your pool water tested for free? If you're in the Phoenix metropolitan area, stop by ePoolSupply for free water testing!
How To Lower Calcium Hardness in Pool Water
Is your pool’s calcium hardness too high? There are several options to consider.
Let’s look at four different calcium hardness reducers and techniques:
Option 1: Partially Drain and Refill with Low-Calcium Water
Drain the pool and then refill it with low-calcium water.
- Start by dechlorinating the water, and use a submersible pump connected to a hose to drain the water into a nearby grassy area.
- When it comes time to refill the pool, hook up a garden hose to your home’s water supply. It’s important to refill the pool right away to prevent any structural damage.
- To ensure that the water you’re using is low in calcium, you can either attach a pre-filter to the hose or make sure the hose is linked to your home’s water softener system.
- Be cautious to prevent any groundwater from contaminating the water you refill the pool with.
Option 2: Use a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Pool Treatment Service
RO services treat the pool water on-site, effectively lowering calcium levels while conserving up to 85% of the existing water, without the need for draining.
The benefits of this approach include the convenience of having your current pool water treated on-site or having RO water delivered in bulk.
However, the main drawback is the cost. Depending on the size of your pool, these services can range from approximately $70 to over $1,000.
Option 3: Flocculants (for Spot Treatment)
While not a complete solution, pool flocculants are useful for spot treatments.
Pool flocculants bind excess calcium together. Once the excess calcium is clumped together, you’ll need to use a pool vacuum to address the waste.
It’s important to turn off the pump and pool filter before adding the flocculant to the water. Getting flocculant in the filter and pump can lead to premature replacement.
Option 4: Ongoing Prevention and Control
Hard water pool maintenance can prevent excessive calcium hardness in the long term. Follow these essential tips for ongoing prevention and control of calcium hardness:
- Use metal and scale control products like sequestrants to prevent buildup and staining
- Regularly brush and clean the tiles of your pool
- Maintain a proper balance of pH levels and alkalinity
Shop Poolife Intensive Stain Prevention
Why High Calcium Hardness Is Common in Arizona and Other Desert Areas
Arizona and other desert regions encounter distinct environmental challenges that contribute to elevated calcium hardness levels.
One key factor is the source of Arizona's water, which is drawn from underground wells and rivers that flow through mineral-rich formations. This natural process leads to a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water supply.
Another reason is the arid climate, which favors a higher level of pool water evaporation and can lead to calcium concentration over time.
As a pool owner, managing calcium levels is one of your key responsibilities when it comes to maintaining a pool in Arizona. This helps maintain stable water chemistry while keeping your surfaces and equipment safe from calcium-related issues. Regularly testing your pool water and implementing preventive care measures are essential steps to uphold a clean and safe swimming environment.
FAQ
What’s the difference between calcium hardness and total hardness?
Calcium hardness specifically looks at the level of calcium, while total hardness assesses magnesium and various other minerals.
Can I use a water softener to fill my pool?
Water softeners are not recommended for a full fill, as they can damage plaster. Instead, use a hose-end pre-filter.
What happens if calcium levels are too low?
Low calcium levels can damage pool surfaces and cause calcium leaching from plaster materials.
How often should I test calcium hardness in Arizona pool water?
Make it a point to check the calcium hardness of your Arizona pool at least once a month. During the hot summer months, when evaporation is more pronounced, consider ramping up your testing to every two weeks.
Are there pool chemicals that remove calcium hardness directly?
Most chemicals only address the symptoms of calcium hardness. To effectively reduce calcium levels, reverse osmosis and dilution are the preferred solutions.