February 16, 2010
how do you lower Alkalinity without raising pH in a spa?
BlaznBroccoli asked:
i have a hot tub, medium sized i think around 1800 gallons. Chlorine is used to sanitize, and my tub has an ozone-ator if that means anything..
i have a hot tub, medium sized i think around 1800 gallons. Chlorine is used to sanitize, and my tub has an ozone-ator if that means anything..
My pH is on the lower side of normal, but my alkalinity is very high– like around 210ppm.
Is there a way to fix this problem?
Spas Atlanta
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Comments on how do you lower Alkalinity without raising pH in a spa?
10:45 pm
Spas Atlanta
There is no way since they are opposite sides of the same thing. It's like a teeter totter, one goes down the other goes up. When they are balanced the pH is 7 or neutral. I suspect you need to have a professional pool service come out and do the work and explain Acid/ base relationship.
8:00 am
Spas Atlanta
Take a sample of your spa water to a reputable pool supply store. They will test it for free and tell you what's needed to balance the ph.
5:25 pm
Spas Atlanta
Try a cup of Muratic acid. You can get it in a pool supply or hardware store. It will lower the PH but its a balancing act at best. if your water is a bit on the acid side it will be clearer and your chlorine will work better. I used to be very worried about such things as well but in time they wont seem to be all that important any more. Good Luck with your new hot tub
9:15 pm
Spas Atlanta
Two of these answers are great. But John…a Perfectly balanced hot tub will have a pH of 7.4. Not 7. That is considered acidic and below the legal limits allowed (7.2) for a public body of water in the United States.
There is no way to lower just your alkalinity level with out your pH being lowered at the same time. Just leave it as it is if your pH is 7.2-7.5. In time it will come down by itself. It will do no harm to you or your equipment. Do realize to raise your alkalinity the chemical is Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda). So many companies love to sell you Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate which is another way of saying the same thing. So save your 6 bucks and use your Baking soda. To raise the pH you need sodium carbonate (soda ash). Buy it in bulk if you find you need it. I buy 50# bags for 13 dollars from my pool distributor. No reason to buy United Chemical or for that matter anyone else's more expensively packaged hot tub balancers. If you use a lot of any of these buy the swimming pool package.
Be sure to also make sure your hardness level is correct 250-400ppm. Otherwise the water will take it from the parts in your tub it can, namely the heating element and seal to your hot tubs pump. Of course it is the same chemical as we use in swimming pools so buy that larger cheaper package. Calcium Chloride.
BTW 1800 gallons is a HUGE TUB. Most are around 380 gallons.