Have you heard pool professionals speak about hard and soft water? Wondering what this means? The Pool Team is here to explain the difference between hard and soft water and the implications thereof.
What is Hard and Soft Water?
Hard and soft water refers to the level of calcium and other minerals in the water. The calcium levels of pool water can differ depending on the geographical region as well as other factors such as rainfall and the use of borehole water. It is important to keep the calcium levels in a pool within the optimal range of 220 – 400 ppm (parts per million) for marbelite or 175 – 250 ppm for fibreglass. Let’s have a look at the implications of hard and soft water.
Implications and Treatment of Hard Water
Hard water refers to too much calcium in the water. This can cause the following:
- Scaling on the surface of the pool and in the pipes
- Discolouration of marbelite
- The filter can get blocked if it is over calcified
- Cloudy water
To treat hard water, the water level would need to be lowered. This can be done by backwashing and rinsing for approximately 5 minutes. The pool would then need to be replenished with fresh water.
Pro tip
If your pool has been filled with borehole water, The Pool Team recommends using the Aqua Pro Metal and Stain Remover to remove unwanted metals from the water. Shop Aqua Pro Metal and Stain Remover here.
Implications and Treatment of Soft Water
Soft water refers to a lack of calcium in the water. Soft water can cause the following:
- Corrosion of pool equipment and metals that come into contact with the water
- Etching of plaster
To treat soft water, 150gm of Aqua Pro Calcium Flakes will raise the calcium level by 10ppm. The Pool Team recommends adding Aqua Pro Calcium Flakes in small doses – roughly 1kg per dose - in order to ensure the calcium level does not increase above the recommended level. Based on 50 000 litre pool:
- Mix Aqua Pro Calcium Flakes in a bucket of water.
- Pour the mixture through the weir with the system on filter.
- Test the water again after 4 -5 days to determine if another dose is necessary.
Contact a professional at any of The Pool Team stores for further advice on your personal solution to treating hard and soft water.
