Understanding Hot Tub pH
Most people don't find it difficult to get a proper balance in their spa water. However like hot tub users, there is great variance in water types in different regions and communities. This is why municipal water is different from well water in constitution and is also why at times, it is difficult to get pH and Total Alkalinity (TA) 'in balance' in the hot tub.
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLearning How to Diagnose Alkalinity and Acidity in Hot Tubs and Pools
Though there are many products that help in curing most spa water chemistry problems, it is not always possible to get the best chemistry in the water. This is why it is better to have pH & TA readings on the high side, rather than on the lower side, which may lead to corrosion damage in the equipment.
Different pH and TA level situations
If you find that the pH of the water is low, but TA is normal, then you have to add Easy pH to the water to raise the pH level but not the TA. If pH is low and TA is high, pH decrease has to be added to lower TA and easy pH to raise pH. If both the TA and pH are very low, then you have to add pH increase to raise both pH and TA and make adjustments as required.
When the pH and TA are both on the higher side, you have to add pH decrease to lower the levels. If this doesn't work, then try Acid Magic. In cases where the pH is normal and TA is high, then you have to use pH decrease to lower TA. Sometimes the pH may drop below normal range; in such cases you have to add Easy pH to bring it back to normal.
In cases where the pH is normal but TA is low, you have to add Alkalinity Increaser where only TA increases and pH is not affected. When pH is high and TA is normal, you have to add pH Decrease to lower pH and if TA reduces below normal range just add Alkalinity Increaser to recover the range.
In situations where the pH is high, but TA is low, you can add pH Decrease to lower pH levels. By adding Alkalinity Increaser to the water, you will be able to bring TA levels back to range without raising pH above normal range.
Tips to remember for spa water maintenance
-If there are wild fluctuations in pH levels, it is usually due to low TA. Use Alkalinity Increaser to bring back TA levels to normal and then make final adjustments to pH as required, as per previous instructions.
-You can also lock the pH range using pH Proper once adjustments have been made. You can prevent pH drops after adding of non-chlorine shock by adding ¾ teaspoon of Alkalinity Increaser per tablespoon of non-chlorine shock that you use.
-Whatever adjustments you make to your spa water, you have to let your water equilibrate after retesting by letting water circulate for a few hours, or by retesting the next day. This is especially important if you have problems with balance.
-Always maintain Total Alkalinity levels in the water between 80-120 ppm and 30-90 ppm if using Cleanwater Blue system.
-The ideal pH range lies between 7.2 and 7.6; too low of levels indicates acidity and leads to corrosion. However too high of levels may lead to scale formation.
-For best results, you have to use a clean plastic cup to collect water for testing, and allow it to cool for a few minutes. However remember to never mix different chemicals before adding to spa water. Instead, add them one at a time. Pre-dissolving granules in a plastic bucket of water is a great option.
-Ensure that your water hardness is not too low. If required, you have to adjust it before making final pH and TA adjustments. The best range for calcium hardness is 150 - 300 ppm.
-First check for Total Alkalinity (TA) then make adjustments for proper pH range.
-With the right TA, the pH is buffered to help prevent pH fluctuations.
-Always use fresh and high quality test strips for tests.
-Remember that too high chlorine or bromine levels may result to false pH and TA readings.
-Make it a point to change spa water once in 3-4 months, depending on its usage.
Technical information
Alkalinity Increaser is basically sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate. It can raise TA and adjust low pH levels. As its pH is only 8.3, it has lesser effect on pH. When diluted in water, it does not raise pH above normal range. However proper TA buffers pH and prevents pH fluctuations.
pH Increase is sodium carbonate or soda ash. Its pH of 13 makes it effective in raising both TA and pH levels.
Easy pH has 2.5 times the pH raising power of pH Increase and is effective in raising only pH levels.
David Williams, owner of Spadepot.com, has over 20 years experience in the hot tub and spa business. An expert in his field, David has been working with hot tubs since 1990
Different pH and TA level situations
If you find that the pH of the water is low, but TA is normal, then you have to add Easy pH to the water to raise the pH level but not the TA. If pH is low and TA is high, pH decrease has to be added to lower TA and easy pH to raise pH. If both the TA and pH are very low, then you have to add pH increase to raise both pH and TA and make adjustments as required.
When the pH and TA are both on the higher side, you have to add pH decrease to lower the levels. If this doesn't work, then try Acid Magic. In cases where the pH is normal and TA is high, then you have to use pH decrease to lower TA. Sometimes the pH may drop below normal range; in such cases you have to add Easy pH to bring it back to normal.
In cases where the pH is normal but TA is low, you have to add Alkalinity Increaser where only TA increases and pH is not affected. When pH is high and TA is normal, you have to add pH Decrease to lower pH and if TA reduces below normal range just add Alkalinity Increaser to recover the range.
In situations where the pH is high, but TA is low, you can add pH Decrease to lower pH levels. By adding Alkalinity Increaser to the water, you will be able to bring TA levels back to range without raising pH above normal range.
Tips to remember for spa water maintenance
-If there are wild fluctuations in pH levels, it is usually due to low TA. Use Alkalinity Increaser to bring back TA levels to normal and then make final adjustments to pH as required, as per previous instructions.
-You can also lock the pH range using pH Proper once adjustments have been made. You can prevent pH drops after adding of non-chlorine shock by adding ¾ teaspoon of Alkalinity Increaser per tablespoon of non-chlorine shock that you use.
-Whatever adjustments you make to your spa water, you have to let your water equilibrate after retesting by letting water circulate for a few hours, or by retesting the next day. This is especially important if you have problems with balance.
-Always maintain Total Alkalinity levels in the water between 80-120 ppm and 30-90 ppm if using Cleanwater Blue system.
-The ideal pH range lies between 7.2 and 7.6; too low of levels indicates acidity and leads to corrosion. However too high of levels may lead to scale formation.
-For best results, you have to use a clean plastic cup to collect water for testing, and allow it to cool for a few minutes. However remember to never mix different chemicals before adding to spa water. Instead, add them one at a time. Pre-dissolving granules in a plastic bucket of water is a great option.
-Ensure that your water hardness is not too low. If required, you have to adjust it before making final pH and TA adjustments. The best range for calcium hardness is 150 - 300 ppm.
-First check for Total Alkalinity (TA) then make adjustments for proper pH range.
-With the right TA, the pH is buffered to help prevent pH fluctuations.
-Always use fresh and high quality test strips for tests.
-Remember that too high chlorine or bromine levels may result to false pH and TA readings.
-Make it a point to change spa water once in 3-4 months, depending on its usage.
Technical information
Alkalinity Increaser is basically sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate. It can raise TA and adjust low pH levels. As its pH is only 8.3, it has lesser effect on pH. When diluted in water, it does not raise pH above normal range. However proper TA buffers pH and prevents pH fluctuations.
pH Increase is sodium carbonate or soda ash. Its pH of 13 makes it effective in raising both TA and pH levels.
Easy pH has 2.5 times the pH raising power of pH Increase and is effective in raising only pH levels.
David Williams, owner of Spadepot.com, has over 20 years experience in the hot tub and spa business. An expert in his field, David has been working with hot tubs since 1990
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