Can Low Calcium Cause Cloudy Pool Water?

As you’re figuring out how to fix a cloudy pool, it’s just as important to know what caused the cloudiness in the first place. After all, you don’t want it to happen again. Calcium levels can contribute to your pool water’s appearance, so you should strive to keep its levels in check. When they’re too high or too low, you’ll notice.

Today, we’ll talk about low calcium and its effects on pool water. We’ll also touch on what to use for cloudy pool water so you can fix this issue promptly.

What’s Calcium Doing In My Pool Water?

Pool water always has calcium in it. Having proper levels of it makes maintaining the rest of your water’s chemistry easier to manage and more predictable. 

When we talk about how much calcium is in your pool, we refer to it in terms of hardness. Hard water has more calcium in it, whereas soft water has less. According to industry standards, the ideal range for calcium in pool water is 200 to 400 PPM.

What Causes Cloudy Pool Water?

Cloudy pool water can be due to the presence of a number of different culprits. One of them is too much calcium, which can also lead to algae and mineral deposits. Calcium levels can get out of hand when the water’s temperature or pH levels are off balance, so it’s important to keep those in check. 

You may also be wondering if phosphates can cause cloudy pool water and what to use for cloudy pool water. The remedy for the water depends on the cause of the cloudiness. 

How Do I Fix Cloudy Pool Water?

To make your pool water clear again, you’ll need to find the source of the problem. If the issue is calcium levels, you can fix it by using either a calcium reducer or water from your hose. 

You should also check your pH levels because higher levels can lead to too much calcium. If the pH is too high, you can use a pH reducer to resolve this issue. 

What Do Low Calcium Levels Do?

We now know that high calcium levels can lead to cloudy water, but what happens when the levels get too low? Pool water needs some calcium to be properly maintained. 

When your water is too soft, it will draw calcium from other sources like plaster pool walls and tile grout. You’ll also notice corrosion on your metal fittings or heat exchangers if you have a fiberglass pool. This can lead to stains on the pool’s surface.

How to Fix Low Calcium Levels in Pool Water

Thankfully, getting your calcium levels back in balance is easy. If they are too low, simply add calcium chloride to your pool water (which is readily available in stores). 

First, dissolve it in a bucket of water. Then, add it to your pool. It’s that simple. When handling calcium chloride, be careful not to get any on your skin because it can burn.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, too little calcium can cause problems in your pool water but cloudiness isn’t one of them. Instead, cloudy water is more often caused by high calcium levels. 

Keeping your calcium, phosphorus, and pH in balance will help ensure that your pool remains in great condition. If you need more tips on how to maintain your pool or spa, Pool Care Guy has your back!