Water hardness test FTK-118

Testing water hardness 

Calcium hardness is the amount of calcium and magnesium salts dissolved in the water. The optimum level of water hardness is between 200-400 ppm (mg/L), an excess or a deficit of hardness can cause problems in the pool and in the installation.

A hardness level below 200 ppm is a soft water and can cause:

• Damage to the pool shell
• Corrosion of metal parts 

A hardness level above 400 ppm is considered hard water and causes: 

• Turbidity in the water
• Incrustations
• Clogging of filters and pipes
• Staining of the pool surface 
• Eye irritation

Measuring water hardness 

Components FTK-118 Kit

The water hardness test kit includes:

• 22 mL Total Hardness Indicator: TH-11
• 22 ml Total Hardness Reagent: TH-12
• 15 ml plastic sample tube

Method of use 

1. Clean and fill the cuvette to the 15 ml mark for analysis.
2. Add 5 drops of TH-11 reagent, shake to mix. The sample will turn pink if total hardness is present.
3. Add TH-12 reagent drop by drop, shake after adding each drop until it turns from pink to blue. Count the drops.
4. Each drop is equivalent to 1 °FH. Multiply the number of drops by 10. The resulting number will give you the total hardness expressed in ppm. 

If the result gives us a value above 400 ppm or 40ºfH we can have problems of limescale so we would recommend using a Anticalcareo No Phos .This product prevents the incrustation of lime so that it does not cause problems in the glass of the swimming pool or the filtration equipment.

If the result gives us a value below 200 ppm or 20ºfH it could cause problems in alkalinity mismatch and consequently low pH. So we will have to: check

• Check pH levels and adjust with pH regulators.
• Check alkalinity level and adjust with alkalinity increaser.

To check the levels, you can purchase the 6-parameter test strips in our online store.