What Are Ph Levels
PH levels measure acidity and alkalinity in water on a pH scale. A pH scale is numbered from 0-14 a measurement of 7 is considered neutral or balanced.
A Ph level between 7.2 and 7.8 should be maintained in your hot tub.
7.2 or below indicates that your water is too acidic, which can cause itchiness and eye burn, and your sanitiser to be less effective. High acidity can result in costly damage to your hot tub parts too.
7.8 or above, like high alkalinity, can contribute to scale build-up, foam and cloudy water.
Keeping your pH levels in check creates a more comfortable environment for your bathers, avoids scale and calcium build-up, and will keep your tub free from corrosion.
Why Low Alkalinity Is Bad News
Hot tub alkalinity must measure above 80 ppm. If it doesnt, the following issues will start to take hold of the tub:
- Green tub. When hot tub water turns green, its a pretty strong indication you have a problem on your hands. However algae cant grow in a neutrally balanced environment. When the alkalinity drops, algae blooms are almost inevitable.
- Corrosion. While the majority of tubs are made from fiberglass, low alkalinity water can still cause corrosion issues. This can occur on any metal surfaces that may be in the tub, or inside equipment like the pump and filter. If eroded, theyll likely have to be fully replaced which can cost a pretty penny.
- pH will fluctuate. With not enough alkalinity in the water, this will cause the pH level to fluctuate wildly. One minute you may have an acidic tub, the next, an alkaline one. This is also referred to as pH bounce, and it happens when there isnt enough pH buffer present in the water.
- Irritation to bathers. Low alkalinity water turns it acidic, and this will irritate the people in the tub. Im not talking about it being a nuisance, but rather, it will literally irritate them via their eyes, skin, and nasal passages. For some people it can even cause respiratory distress.
- Damage to the tub. Depending on the tubs material, staining, etching, delamination, and cracking are all possible outcomes when low alkalinity is present. A vinyl cover can also be damaged, becoming stiff and brittle over time.
I Use Chlorine Tablets Why Is My Ph Always Low
This is a very common question and the answer is quite simple, Trichlor Chlorine Tablets are acidic by nature and therefore as they sit in your dispenser or filter, they are constantly lowering your PH. At Happy Hot Tubs, we recommend Chlorine Granules as a default sanitiser as it is more PH neutral and prevents this issue. Bromine is also more PH neutral than Chlorine Tablets.
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Now What Is Alkalinity
Before you balance the pH levels of the water, you need to deal with the alkalinity balance. If your alkalinity level is off the charts, youll never be able to balance the pH level of the water of the hot tub. Alkalinity and pH are like first cousins, they go hand in hand, affecting and getting affected by each other.
Total Alkalinity , sometimes referred to as a buffer, is the measure of your spas waters ability to neutralize acids. Checking the alkalinity level is the first and vital step towards balancing the pH level. Now, what is pH scale and how it is affected by alkalinity, well get into that afterward.
TA, unlike pH level, is measured in PPM . Its role is to provide a balance in mineral content, which blocks any damage to the surfaces.
Best Hot Tub Chemicals To Balance Your Hot Tub
To keep your water clean and fresh, we recommend testing your water at least twice a week. But knowing which are the best hot tub chemicals to suit your needs can be difficult. At Aqua Spa Supplies and Aqua Warehouse, we specialise in providing a range of high quality hot tubs for sale and hot tub accessories to ensure your spa is kept safe, fresh and clean.
If you would like more information about our vast selection of hot tub chemicals,visit our websiteor call us today on 01245 477 400.
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Why Is My Hot Tub Ph Always High
A persistently high pH often means your total alkalinity is off.
If your total alkalinity isnt in the correct range, it makes the pH far more likely to fluctuate or bounce around too high or too low. The ideal range of alkalinity in your hot tub, as expressed in parts per million, is 80-120 ppm.
So if you are struggling to balance your pH, start by fixing your alkalinity.
Often times the products that raise or lower both pH and alkalinity can fix your issue. However, if you need to raise the pH in my pool but not the alkalinity, the best product for that is Magnesium Oxide powder .
If youre struggling to get the water balanced correctly in your hot tub, or if youve gotten the dreaded hot tub rash, definitely take a moment to check out a recent article I wrote where I break everything down about perfect water chemistry.
I was most surprised by what the #1 thing you can add to a hot tub that can cause the most damage .
Dont forget to balance your pH level in your spa! Your pH will usually run high in your spa so make sure to check your pH level when balancing your hot tub every week!
Backyard Pool & Spa
What Causes High Alkalinity In Hot Tubs
An unbalanced alkalinity level in your hot tub would have a very large negative effect on the walls, jets, pipes, and equipment. You will not be able to enjoy your spa once it is damaged unless you spend a lot to replace or fix it.
There is no smoke without a fire. Alkalinity does not just increase without something influencing it. It could be from the water source, human waste, or chemicals used.
You must be wondering how you contributed to increasing the alkalinity of the hot tubs water. Read below, then.
The alkalinity of water easily increases when the pH increases and the chlorine or bromine is no longer effective.
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High Ph And Alkalinity In Your Hot Tub
Balancing pH and alkalinity in your hot tub.
It is important to keep the water in your hot tub clean. This may be a hard task depending on how you maintain it, but there are ways of improving its quality by regulating pH and alkalinity levels. These two factors can make or break whether the water will stay safe for use, so if you want to have an enjoyable time soaking away stress without any worries about harming yourself with harmful chemicals then try out these tips!
It is easier said than done-balancing pH and alkaline levels in your homes hot tub might seem like too much work at first glance after all what good could possibly come from pouring various products into a spa or pool? However, when everything is balanced correctly it makes maintaining one heck of a lot simpler
The water management team here at Total Chemical Solutions have put together with the following guide for you so you can keep on top of your hot tub water chemistry, focusing on what causes high levels of pH and alkalinity and what you need to do to if your hot tub water is reading high range in either of these.
What is the difference between pH and alkalinity?
Issues of having high pH and alkaline levels.
The potential issues of having unbalanced alkaline levels in your hot tub water are that it can have an adverse effect on your hot tubs appearance, cause knock-on problems to your pH readings and even affect your skin.
Recommendations for addressing high levels of pH and alkalinity.
The Dangers Of Low Ph
A low pH measurement means that your spa water is acidic and considered un-balanced. Low pH poses risk to your spa and it’s water because acidic water has the potential to hinder your sanitizer’s ability to properly work. Meaning, your spa will become a breeding ground for contaminants. This is dangerous because high levels of contamination can pose health risks for hot tubbers.
In addition to contaminated water, acidic water can cause corrosion, which can be an expensive fix!
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How To Lower Ph In A Spa
In order to lower pH effectively, hot tub owners must be consistent in adding pH minus to their hot tubs. A product that is used to lower pH is sodium bisulfate. Sodium bisulfate is solid dry crystals which is a dry acid. Acids are used to lower pH into the recommended range for hot tubs which is generally between 7.4-7.6. When adding pH minus, hot tub owners should not add it all at once. The recommendation is to add a designated amount each day until the pH has come down. If pH minus is added too quickly the water will turn too acidic and will need to be brought back up. If pH will not lower after adding the recommended amount of pH minus, hot tub owners can always add a liquid acid which can be more aggressive at bringing down a pH. Chances are the pH is much higher than the actual reading on the test strip. If this is the case, the hot tub owner must continue to add pH minus until the pH is brought down to normal levels.
The real key to problem solving a high pH challenge in your hot tub is to partner with your local hot tub care professional. Take advantage of any free water testing offers they have and use their expertise and advice to make your hot tub care simple as 1-2-3!
How Long Does Muriatic Acid Take To Lower Alkalinity
After diluting the muriatic acid in a bucket of water according to whatever measurement you are following, pour it into the pool by circulating it round.
Make sure you do not pour the diluted acid on one spot because it might take more time. Make sure you brush the pool or use a rod to vigorously turn the pool to help the mixture.
Make sure your tub pump is on, then wait for 15 to 30 minutes before testing again. Before swimming in the hot tub, make sure you wait for a complete turnover cycle, which takes about 8 hours.
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The Consequences Of High Total Alkalinity
Hot tub waters total alkalinity often gets boosted by the presence of sweat, body oils, soaps, and beauty product residues. It may also be a result of a hard water source being used to fill the hot tub. When the total alkalinity levels become too high the water usually becomes murky or cloudy due to the crystallization of dissolved solids. Allowed to continue, this could result in scaling, crystal buildups, and in extreme cases, the clogging of drains and pipes.
Does Vinegar Lower Alkalinity In A Hot Tub
No, vinegar doesnt lower alkalinity levels in a hot tub. Vinegar only lowers the pH levels in a hot tub. But, its not recommended to use it.
While vinegar doesnt lower alkalinity levels it can lower pH levels. But, that can make things worse. I recommend using vinegar only to clean the hot tub. Never put vinegar in the hot tub water you are going to use.
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Raising Total Alkalinity Levels
If your TA is low, it is most effective to use TA Plus to increase this level. PH Plus will increase your TA as mentioned above, but it will do so at a slower rate.
- As with all other adjustments, remember to do this gradually so that you dont increase TA levels too high resulting in the need to bring these down again.
How Do I Bring My Alkalinity Down In My Hot Tub
If the alkalinity level of your hot tub is too high, it can reduce the sanitizer efficiency of your tub and make the water turn green.
To be able to lower your water alkalinity level, you also need to check and neutralize your pH level.
Follow these steps to bring your alkalinity level down.
- Always drain and clean your hot tub every 2 to 3 months.
- Avoid using excessive amounts of chemicals in the hot tub.
- Check your water source.
- Use the right chemicals like the pH decreaser, which is also known as sodium bisulphate.
- Determine how much water your tub can hold, test it, and understand the proper chemicals to use.
- You can use the broadcast method to apply the chemicals, but if you notice the wind is blowing, you should try diluting first in water before pouring into the pool.
- Allow water to circulate for at least 30 minutes before retesting or waiting for the next day to retest. If you still do not get the result you want, then you can try contacting help from a professional pool maintenance store.
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How To Lower Ph Levels Without Chemicals
To lower the pH level of your hot tub water, you can take four cups of vinegar and pour it in the water. Remember to circulate the water in the tub before you pour in the vinegar. You can either use the vinegar you have at home or use apple cider vinegar. Turn off the jets and test the water after a few hours. Till you get an appropriate level, repeat the process.
Proper maintenance of your hot tub will extend the life span of your hot tub, and you will kick back, relax, and enjoy your time submerged in your spa.
What Is Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity is the measurement of dissolved alkaline substances in water. It helps control the pH level and acts as a barrier, so it must be balanced correctly.
A Total Alkalinity level between 80-120mg/l ppm must be maintained in your hot tub. Anything above or below this range makes balancing pH levels quite tricky to maintain.
Below 80mg/l ppm can cause your water to become corrosive and acidic and even stain or damage your hot tub surfaces. Algae may bloom if alkalinity drops which can cause you discomfort.
Above 120mg/l ppm can cause your water to become cloudy and allow scale to grow on pool surfaces and equipment.
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Symptoms Of High Alkalinity In A Hot Tub
A high pH level indicates Alkalinity, which means it may be time for some serious maintenance.
This is because high pH levels in a hot tub can cause significant skin irritation, eye irritation, and skin burns. Chlorine is used to address this problem, but those problems will persist if you dont get the pH back down to normal levels.
Another sign is that the water will start to form bubbles on the surface. The acidity of the water is being neutralized by the Alkalinity, leading to a loss of carbon dioxide which leads to a buildup of CO 2 gas in the water.
Does High Alkalinity Cause Cloudy Water
If you have a hot tub, it is totally not out of place to have to deal with cloudy water. It is one thing to know the cause and another to know how to deal with it.
One of the causes of cloudy water is an excess or insufficient amount of sanitizer in your pool.
High alkalinity affects the pH of the water, which in turn reduces the chlorine or bromine level of your hot tub . When the sanitizer in the water has been exhausted, contaminants find their way into the pool and change the crystal clear water cloudy.
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How To Bring Your Ph Back Down
Sometimes water balancing doesnt go quite as planned, and there could be times where youll end up with a high pH after raising alkalinity .
Not to worry, you can bring this back down using an acid either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate. Sulfuric acid is another option, but as it significantly adds to the TDS level in the water, its rarely used.
Sodium bisulfate is a dry acid, and the safer of the two to work with, although it can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Muriatic acid is highly corrosive. You need to take great care when working with it to avoid accidents that could land you in the ER. Its also the cheaper option, which is why its the more commonly used method.
Is High Alkalinity Harmful To A Hot Tub
Yes, a high alkalinity level is not good for your hot tub. As we know that low alkalinity can corrode the hit tub surfaces, high alkalinity can also affect your hot tub components.
High alkalinity can lead to scale buildup. And if the issue is not controlled it can cause clogging of the filter and pipes. As pressure builds up due to the clogging, the filter can easily get damaged. It can as well affect other components.
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Why Is High Alkalinity Bad
Why exactly is it so important to maintain the correct balance of alkalinity in your hot tub?
If the alkalinity of your water is too high, it can lead to an imbalance in the pH value of the water .
This can result in high levels of calcium in the water, which in turn can lead to scaling, cloudy water and clogged filters. It also decreases the effectiveness of water sanitizers like chlorine or bromine and can even cause itchy skin for anyone using the tub.
So as you can see, its something you want to avoid.
