Cheapest Way to Increase Calcium Hardness In a Pool (2023)

If you want to increase calcium hardness in a pool then you are on the right article.

Because if your pool has low calcium hardness below the recommended level, it can cause cloudy water, and acidic water which can corrode the surface and accessories of your pool.

Low calcium levels can also irritate your skin and eyes.

And it can create tons of problems if you don’t increase calcium hardness in a pool.

The best and cheapest way to increase calcium hardness in a pool is by adding calcium chloride (CaCl2).

Calcium chloride is a very cheap chemical that you can use to increase calcium hardness in your pool.

In this article, We will discuss Step by step How to Increase Calcium Hardness in a pool with calcium chloride and how to test the calcium hardness of your pool before buying calcium chloride.

We will also see what are some other natural ways to increase calcium hardness in your pool.

Let’s get started.

How to Test Calcium Hardness in a Pool

This is the most important thing to do before you purchase or do anything to increase the calcium hardness of your pool.

Because you need to the exact levels of calcium hardness in your pool.

But before you test the calcium hardness of your pool there is also one important step you shouldn’t forget.

Step 1: Balance the water and Chemicals in your pool

Which is balancing your pool water and testing the water’s pH, total alkalinity, and chloride levels,

Because it’s important to balance all the chemicals and water before testing calcium hardness.

The pH level of your pool water should be 7.2 to 7.6 and the total alkalinity of your pool water should be 80 to 120 ppm and the chlorine should be between 1 and 3 ppm.

Step 2: Test the Calcium Hardness of your Pool

Once you make sure of everything above then Now it’s time to test the calcium hardness of your pool.

And for checking the calcium hardness of your pool, you will need a pool testing kit.

Depending the on the size of your pool, you need to do multiple tests in your pool.

There are two types of pool testing kits that you can use for testing the calcium hardness of your pool.

1. Scratch Test
2. Float Test

The scratch test is the fasted way to test the calcium hardness of your pool which can be done in just 30 seconds.

On the other hand, a Float test can take up to 5 minutes to test the calcium hardness of your pool.

Once you test the calcium hardness of your pool now it’s time to increase the calcium hardness of your pool.

Also Read: Lower Calcium Hardness In A Pool 

Best and Cheapest Way to Increase Calcium Hardness in a Pool

Before you start increasing the calcium hardness of your pool, it’s important that you should know how much calcium chloride you need to increase the calcium hardness.

Because if you increase the calcium hardness of your pool too much then you need to hustle again to decrease the calcium hardness of your pool.

The ideal calcium hardness level in a fiberglass or vinyl pool should be between 100 ppm to 200 ppm.

And 150 ppm to 250 ppm for concrete, plaster, and pebble tec pools. 

Step 1: Add Calcium Chloride to your Pool

To increase the calcium hardness with calcium chloride (CaCl2) by 10 ppm, add around 11/4 pounds for every 10,000 gallons of water.

But if you are using an oz unit then you can add 2oz of calcium chloride to every 1,000 gallons of water to increase the hardness by 10 ppm.

Step 2: Continue Adding Until it reached Recommended Level

You know the recommended levels so continue adding calcium chloride and increase the calcium hardness by 10 ppm,

Until your pool reaches to 150ppm 250 ppm.

200 ppm is a good number to aim for balancing the calcium hardness of your pool.

Note:

1. Always Wear Protective Gear and Cover your arms, legs and wear goggles, gloves, and close-toe-shoe.
2. Pour in Slowly to Avoid Splashes
3. Pour calcium chloride directly into the water, not the other way around
4. Calcium chloride can take time to dissolve so don’t jump in immediately.

Step 3: Test Calcium Hardness Level Again

Now after adding calcium chloride, you should wait at least 6 to 8 hours.

After that, check the calcium hardness of your pool it should be between 150 to 250 ppm.

How Long You Should Wait After Adding Calcium Chloride?

As I said before, Calcium chloride can take time to dissolve into your pool water, it can take up to 6 to 8 hours to completely dissolve.

And you can keep your pool running for at least 2 weeks once you added and balance the calcium hardness of your pool.

But make sure you also balance the other chemicals like chloride and alkalinity of your pool water.

How to Maintain the Balanced Calcium Hardness in a Pool

The simple and best way to maintain a balanced calcium hardness is by testing the imbalance in chemicals,

And adding the chemicals if necessary.

You can test the calcium hardness of your pool every one to three months.

If your pool’s calcium hardness has been decreased, you need to add calcium chloride.

But if the calcium hardness of your pool increases above the recommended level then you need to decrease the calcium hardness of your pool.

Does Baking Soda Increase Calcium Hardness In a Pool?

Most pool owners use baking soda to clean their pool and remove hard water stains from their tiles and concrete.

But Does Baking Soda Safe for Swimming Pools?

No, Baking soda is not safe for the pool because it can cause unwanted algae growth in your swimming pool.

Baking soda is not the right way to increase the calcium hardness of your pool.

You can always use calcium chloride to increase the calcium hardness of your pool.

Does Chlorine Increase Calcium Hardness In A Pool?

There is no evidence that shows chlorine can increase the calcium hardness in the pool,

But if you increase the chlorine amount in your pool for increasing the calcium hardness in a pool then it can cause health issues.

So increasing chlorine levels is not the solution for increasing the calcium hardness in your pool.

And always maintain the calcium hardness of your pool at recommended level because high calcium levels can cause bone fracture. 

Alternative Ways to Increase Calcium Hardness in a Pool

There are lots of natural and chemical ways to increase the calcium hardness in a pool other than calcium chloride.

Way 1: Use Tap Water

This is a natural way to increase the calcium hardness in your pool.

Because tap water already contains enough amount of calcium hardness.

But this method depends on your local water supply so you need to ask the local municipality about mineral content in their water.

Way 2: De-icer Pellets/Flakes

Another common way to increase the calcium hardness in your pool is by using de-icer pellets/flakes.

This stuff is nothing but that you scatter on your driveaway after heavy snowfall.

This is cheaper than using calcium hardness increaser but this way is very inconvenient.

Because these pellets are larger and take lots of time to dissolve, you can’t measure or know how much you need to increase the calcium hardness of your correctly.

I don’t recommend using this method but this method is an option.

Way 3: Calcium Chloride Dihydrate

The main difference between calcium chloride and calcium chloride dihydrate is that the latter has water molecules.

Calcium chloride dihydrate is another active ingredient that can increase the calcium hardness in your pool.

This type of calcium increaser is sold in powder form.