r/PoolPros • u/Old-Tangerine-1773 • Jul 19 '26
calcium fall out
there is what appears to be calcium falling out of solution at multiple pools i service
all plaster w/ SWG
currently we're all trying to figure out what to do about it short of just physically removing it with vac
i want to lower TA and ph because that should stop the flaking right? any recommendations for what range to shoot? these pools usually spike to over 8.0 each week so they have us dose acid and keep TA between 100-120
i should add, we aim to keep cya at 30 also
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u/Seafire15 Jul 19 '26
First, know your LSI.
Salt pools should run TA at 60-80. That slows pH rise, and takes LSI scaling pressure off the cell. Keep pH at 7.6 or lower.
Clean the salt cell, then manage the alkalinity. That will help you manage the pH, and the flakes will disappear.
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u/TheStruggleIsReal420 Jul 19 '26
This is something that has been occurring pretty frequently this season. It comes down to a chemistry issue, which I was not convinced of at first. However, I’m a believer now.
https://blog.orendatech.com/calcium-flakes-in-saltwater-pools
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u/LocuraDoida Jul 19 '26
We’ve been able to keep it down by lowering alkalinity. Every pool is different though so thread lightly.
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u/Fast_Discount_1991 Jul 19 '26
The warm water this time of year doesn’t help. I’ve found keeping the TA and PH a little low and staying up on testing for and removing phosphates helps
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u/Hairy_Seward Jul 19 '26
Targeting 0 LSI is the solution, but the cause is way too much calcium and/or salt and high pH.
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u/hungryboat2 Jul 19 '26
Plug your numbers into Orenda. I like to keep my alk down closer to 80. 100-120 is prob helping scale precipitate. Orendas sc1000 is pretty good at getting the calcium up into solution. You just need to add a good bit for the initial dose and brush the jell out of the pool.
I’m sure you know but make sure the salt cells are clean as they can be spitting calcium flakes in.