Low calcium levels in the pool.
Will calcium hardness cause stains on vinyl pool.
The optimal calcium level is 200 400 ppm.
These stains are notoriously difficult to scrub free.
Calcium for a liner pool can be a bit lower than a plaster pool in the range of 150 250 ppm.
It would scratch the pool.
Chemical experts say this isn t the case.
Calcium on the low and high end of the scales will eventually cause problems and when they do be ready for some serious problems.
If you have a concrete or plaster pool keep the level between 200 ppm and 275 ppm.
Then get the ph and total alkalinity in line.
If you have a vinyl or fiberglass pool you won t be able to use a pumice stone.
Calcium can appear in the form of a thin calcium film that covers dirt or metal stains on the pool interior.
An edited version of this article originally appeared in the summer 2007 issue of the edge a publication of the northeast spa pool association.
Although calcium carbonate is always white in this case it presents as brown or grey because the dirt discolours the calcium carbonate making it appear brown.
The stains should dissipate over time even in a plaster pool.
Calcium hardness is also very important to the chemical balancing of your vinyl liner swimming pool.
However the longer the stain sits untreated the more difficult it can be to remove.
Calcium hardness must be actively managed along with ph and total alkalinity to keep water in proper chemical balance.
A higher ppm causes deposits on the surface and cloudy water.
Some pros fear that purple stains are permanent on a more porous surface.
When you retest the pool water the alkalinity should be lower.
If your pool has a vinyl or fiberglass liner the calcium hardness level should be between 175 parts per million ppm and 225 ppm.
If a vinyl liner s calcium level is too low this soft water situation could lead to foaming and other water problems and can harm the vinyl.
How to lower hardness in a pool.
The first thing you ll want to do is remove calcium from pool water.
If you re dealing with too much calcium in a pool you can try adding a sequestering agent which is a chemical treatment that fights the effects of high metal and calcium content in swimming pool water as an added bonus it also fights stains.
Low calcium as is often the case will cause long term serious damage especially to plaster vinyl liners grout in between tiles metal rails and even concrete decking around the.
