Calcium on tub!!!

[Steelerpete]

Have a question regarding calcium on the tub after a water change. We had it on the first fill and again when I changed the water, we have very hard water and was told by the guys setting up the tub to bypass my water softener?? It goes a way after a couple of days but will this cause any issues or will it be OK. The PH levels are quite high with the fresh water and it takes about a day to get in line?? Anyone else have this issue and is it OK to use the water softener when I fill the tub?? Thanks,

Pete

[Gary]

You might want to try a 50/50 mixture when filling, 50% soften water and 50% straight well water.

Besides clogging up the filter and possibly some jets the calcium should not hurt anything else. Typically calcium build up is more of a mess then anything.

[hottubdan]

How high is the hardness and pH?

[Steelerpete]

Using the test stripes my water hardness is around 250 and the PH is between 7.2- 7.5 after using PH down to get it there.

Pete

[Webini]

Have a question regarding calcium on the tub after a water change. We had it on the first fill and again when I changed the water, we have very hard water and was told by the guys setting up the tub to bypass my water softener?? It goes a way after a couple of days but will this cause any issues or will it be OK. The PH levels are quite high with the fresh water and it takes about a day to get in line?? Anyone else have this issue and is it OK to use the water softener when I fill the tub?? Thanks,

Pete

I have the same issue with my well water.  I just fill from the hose.  It ends up being mostly soft water, with hard water towards the end as my softener runs out of soft water.  I just test the calcium level and add calcium increaser to balance the water.

[hottubdan]

Your hardness level is fine.  The reason it comes out of solution is the initial pH level.  Keep doing what you are doing.

[Richs100]

I have the same issue with my well water.  I just fill from the hose.  It ends up being mostly soft water, with hard water towards the end as my softener runs out of soft water.  I just test the calcium level and add calcium increaser to balance the water.

What Webini said.  Plus, the water softener also removes some of the metals in my well water before it gets to my tub.  I also use a pre-filter that attaches to the end of my hose.  Using the softened water is much easier, cleaner and less hassle than using the raw water from my well.

One other point.  If you intend to use a product like MetalGon upon refill, its probably a good idea to wait a week or so before you install a new Nature2 or other mineral cartridge.  I understand it can clog it up.
Rich

[Webini]

What Webini said.  Plus, the water softener also removes some of the metals in my well water before it gets to my tub.  I also use a pre-filter that attaches to the end of my hose.  Using the softened water is much easier, cleaner and less hassle than using the raw water from my well.

One other point.  If you intend to use a product like MetalGon upon refill, its probably a good idea to wait a week or so before you install a new Nature2 or other mineral cartridge.  I understand it can clog it up.
Rich

I use a prefilter too.  I still end up with copper in my water, but MetalGon takes care of that.

[Pathfinder]

I wouldnt rely on what the reading on your test strip says  more than likely its probably higher.  Personally I havent seen a test strip be accurate for Calcium.  A prefilter is a good idea but I would recommend the ones that are used with carbon.  I find the ones sold by micropure are not efficient as a lot drains through where the bottom and top attach, sealed or pleated units work best IMO.  Swing down to your dealer and get them to test your hardness.

[Bonibelle]

What is the real issue with soft water? If you adjust the hardness, are there other considerations? I have been having a problem with iron and my dealer said as long as I added the correct amount of hardness, that was fine. This is the first time I tried using just the soft water and my water has been perfect.  Was that a bad idea? :-/

[Vinny]

Boni,

The only real issue can be foaming. It has been discussed that soft water can be corrosive to some metals but I think that has pretty much been dismissed as being wrong.

I think the other thing is the amount of water that is used can drain the water softener chemicals. But I am speculating on this.

I never really understood why people with a softener don't use it to fill the tub.

Vinny

[hottubdan]

I have heard you are adding corrosive salts to the water if you used softened water.

[Bonibelle]

How can I test for corrosive salts?

[Bonibelle]

If there was enough salt in the water, I know it would be corrosive, but how much residual salt is left in the softened water? I guess there is also the concern about evaporation concentrating the salt.
I just know my water has been perfect this fill. Maybe I will dilute it with unfiltered water to be safe. , but then I end up with the iron stains on my filters. :-/