I’m noticing white flakes accumulating in the corners of the pool. We recently installed a salt cell, and I’ve cleaned it twice since then. Could this be calcium? Is there a way to prevent these large buildups?
It’s probably calcium, possibly due to a chemical imbalance. Bring a sample to the pool shop and explain what you’ve observed. You can get Scale Remover, but be sure to check your readings first.
@CurrentCraze Yes, the calcium level has just hit the “high” mark. Our city water is at 150 ppm, and the current level is 416 ppm, so we probably need to drain and refill the pool.
@BreaststrokeBuff Do you have the Pool Math app? If not, you should try it; it will help you determine the volume.
@BreaststrokeBuff I wouldn’t recommend draining and refilling the pool. Instead, manage the flakes for now and do it gradually. When calculating your LSI, keep in mind that the area between the cell fins gets quite hot. You can mimic the conditions in the cell by assuming the water temperature is higher than what you measured during your initial tests.
Do you have the Pool Math app? If not, get it; it will help you determine the water volume.
Calcium flakes are a common issue with salt cells. They typically release when the cell reverses polarity. To reduce flaking, I now turn off my salt cell about an hour before the pump shuts down.
I recommend using the Orenda app to monitor your water balance. It helps track your LSI, which indicates water balance and calcium levels. The app also provides a wealth of useful information; that’s where I learned about turning off the salt cell an hour before the pump stops.