Rick’s Remedies: Calcium- “The Guardian”
In our previous installment of Rick’s Remedies, we discussed the moody nature of pH (The Ruler) and how alkalinity (The Soother) helps to keep it in check. The third member of your pools water balance team is Calcium- The Guardian.
Water and calcium go together like peas and carrots. In nature, calcium is plentiful and can be found in limestone as well as many other underground sources. However, as with any element taken from nature, there are certain sustaining components of that element that are lacking due to its new environment. This is
the case with your pools water and calcium. If the calcium in your pool falls below the 250-400ppm industry standard range, the water in your pool will begin to aggressively seek what it is lacking. This puts your concrete finish, liner, pipes, and even your filter at risk. The calcium can also act as a buffer for pH, along with the alkalinity, so when your calcium is low the pH may fluctuate more often. If the pH is low, as the water seeks calcium it will attack the concrete in your pool leaving you with a pitted finish. If the pH is high, a scale will form which produces a white, chalky waterline or barnacle like formations on your pool walls.
This is why we refer to calcium as “The Guardian”. It works alongside pH (The Ruler) and alkalinity (The Soother) guarding your pools equipment and finish. It also gives the water a sparkle due to its reflective property. This is an important aspect of maintaining a well-balanced pool and cannot be overlooked in a weekly pool maintenance regimen. So, remember, keep your pH between 7.2-7.6, your alkalinity between 80-120ppm and your calcium at 250-400ppm. Stay tuned for our next installment of Rick’s Remedies where we will discuss Stabilizer- “The Protector”. Until then, stay safe and enjoy your pool!
Ricks Rule of Thumb:
1lb of calcium chloride (CaCl2) raises 10,000 gallons of water 10ppm.
