Calcium hardness is also very important to the chemical balancing of your vinyl liner swimming pool.
Calcium hardness in vinyl pool.
It also produces itchy skin.
In general the whole saturation index thing the pool industry has wasted so much paper on doesn t apply to most pools.
If you have a concrete or plaster pool keep the level between 200 ppm and 275 ppm.
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 pool.
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 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.
A low level can result in foaming which is unpleasant but shouldn t harm the liner.
If your pool has a vinyl or fiberglass liner the calcium hardness level should be between 175 parts per million ppm and 225 ppm.
Here s why it happens.
If calcium hardness goes above 400 ppm you will likely see a white flaky crust on the liner and pool equipment.
Low calcium levels in the pool.
Hardness at any level is only an issue in a plastic pool pvc pipes vinyl liner polymer pump if it s high.
Calcium for a liner pool can be a bit lower than a plaster pool in the range of 150 250 ppm.
Fortunately calcium hardness changes rather slowly so a once a month testing and adjustment should be all you need.
A hardness of 10 is fine in a plastic pool.