As a matter of fact, many commercial pools that use calcium hypochlorite (cal hypo) chlorine routinely maintain calcium levels over 700 ppm without scale problems. If you are in a climate where your pool can freeze, 400 ppm is the bare minimum for you.though it's even better if you have 450-500 ppm. We suggest 300 ppm calcium hardness as a minimum, even if you're in a hot climate. We differ from many textbooks on this, and we do so based on our own learning of the LSI and in-the-field evidence. The colder your climate, the more calcium hardness you should have in the water. Here's our answer to everyone: the ideal calcium hardness level is one that allows you to comfortably maintain LSI balance year-round. What is the ideal calcium hardness level?Īt Orenda, we hear this question all the time. The Orenda LSI app taught us calcium's importance, and why its stability is such a benefit in water chemistry. It's a sturdy foundation to balance water around. But the truth is, calcium is a very consistent chemistry in pools it doesn't fluctuate like pH or alkalinity will. We have determined (in our opinion) that calcium hardness is the most misunderstood chemistry in the pool business. If a source isn't readily available, the water will corrode through all sorts of equipment (like heaters and salt cells) looking for calcium. Calcium-deficient pool water gets aggressive and will steal calcium from anywhere it can find it. Water temperature getting colder seriously affects the balance and makes for more corrosive pool water.
In much of the country, pools freeze.and even in warm places like Southern California, Arizona and Florida, water temperatures can dip below 50 degrees for several weeks at a time. Regardless of where you live, water gets colder in the winter time.
Related: LSI Balance & Calcium Management (Pillar 1) We suggest testing for calcium out of the tap, during initial fill ups, and once a month or so after that. It is remarkably consistent when left alone, and when coupled with good LSI management, calcium hardness helps water chemistry behave in a more predictable way. Good calcium hardness levels can make managing pool chemistry so much easier and cost effective. Until recently, calcium hardness and its importance water chemistry has been underestimated.