What Is The Difference Between Baking Soda And Soda Ash
These two chemicals are very much similar, but each is unique from the other. It is important to know the differences to know how best to use them.
Baking soda, known as sodium bicarbonate, with a chemical makeup of NaHCO3, has a pH level circling 8.3. while soda ash, known as sodium carbonate, with a chemical composition of Na2CO3, has a pH ranging from 11.3 to 11.7.
Both comprise Sodium but have different responses when dissolved in water.
Soda ash in water dissolves into an alkaline solution, capable of causing a significant shift in the pH level of whatever medium it is added to.
Baking soda, on the other hand, when dissolved, toggles between being an acid or an alkaline solution.
My Water Ph Is High How Do I Reduce The Ph Level
pH decreaser, pH reducer or pH minus / pH is a dry acid balancer, that you pre-dissolve in warm water then add to your hot tub / spa / swimming pool water. The active ingredient in pH decreaser is usually sodium bisulfate. Adding this will also lower Total Alkalinity, sometimes so significantly youll need to increase your TA back up a little afterward.
How Much Baking Soda To Raise Alkalinity In Hot Tub
Baking soda can be used to raise both the pH and the alkalinity of a hot tub, but the result is more significant on the alkalinity.
Generally, a tablespoon of baking soda can raise the alkaline level in 100 gallons of water. So, for 1000 gallons, you would need 10 tablespoons. Make sure to turn on your jet and allow it to run for 2-3 hours in order to keep the water circulating.
Meanwhile, to raise the pH level using baking soda from 7.2 to 7.6, you would need 21 pounds of baking soda. This will not be good for your tub as it will significantly increase the alkaline to the level thats not fit.
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What Is Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity is the measure of the capacity of water to neutralise acids. It is different to PH. It is measured by parts per million rather than a scale like PH. Alkalinity is important as it acts as a buffer when balancing PH. If your alkalinity is out, then it will be very hard to balance your PH level. In fact it is a good idea to balance your Alkalinity before doing anything else as this may allow your PH to fall into line too and will make balancing PH much easier. Your Alklainity level should be between 80-120ppm.
Keep Track Of The Process
Log the number of ounces used to balance your hot tub water as you balance it the first time so that in the future you can add that amount all at once at time of fill up to achieve balanced water much quicker.
For example If it takes 10 ounces over the first day or two to balance the water, then add 10 ounces all at once the next time you refill your spa.
For more information about adjusting the pH in your hot tub, download our free Royal Spa Operation and Care Guide. Youll also find helpful tips on everything from draining your spa to cleaning the filter.
Give us a call at 317-781-0828 or 800-541-1248
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What Is Ph As It Relates To Hot Tubs
Technically, as every chemistry student knows, pH measures any water-based solution on a scale for how acidic it is.
Totally neutral water, at room temperature, has pH of 7.0. Despite what you might think, highly acidic water has a low pH, whereas highly alkaline water has a high pH.
In a hot tub, we measure both pH and alkalinity.
pH and alkalinity, while similar, are altogether different. Alkalinity is a measure of the ability of the water to neutralize acidity, whereas pH simply measures just how acidic the water is.
The 2 can definitely be confusing which is why I wrote a recent article which breaks down the key differences between the 2.
Whats really surprising is the fact that some products we buy are designed to raise or lower both pH and alkalinity, but theres only 1 thing you can do to raise the pH without affecting alkalinity. Just click the link to see that post on my site.
Balancing Your Hot Tub Ph Level & Total Alkalinity
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Whether you own a hot tub or are looking into investing in one, its important to learn about balancing your waters chemical levels to ensure that its clean, healthy and safe for bathers to use.
This guide helps you discover why balancing total alkalinity and pH is essential to keeping your hot tub in top condition and your sanitisers working at their most effective.
Total Alkalinity is closely related to pH, and managing it is a key factor in maintaining healthy pH levels. When adjusting alkalinity, youre also adjusting the pH levels and vice versa. We recommend getting your Total Alkalinity balance correct first as it acts as a buffer and prevents rapid pH fluctuations plus, high pH levels are much more challenging to adjust.
So, lets commence.
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How Do I Adjust A Spa’s Alkalinity
The target range for alkalinity is 80-120 ppm. Adjusting alkalinity varies based on the chemical system your using.
Some systems such as the Freshwater Water Care System have an alkalinity adjuster built into its pH products. In these cases you will adjust both pH and alkalinity at the same time.
However, in split systems such as the Brilliance for Spas Water Care System there is a separate product for increasing alkalinity. In either system the pH down product will also lower the alkalinity.
How to adjust alkalinity in a split system:
Pro Tip: If your using an excessively large amount of chemicals to try to balance your alkalinity it may be a sign that the water needs to be drained and refilled.
Will Baking Soda Lower The Ph In A Hot Tub
Baking soda is a natural alkaline, consisting of a pH of 8. If you add baking soda to your pool, what youll do is increase the pH levels in your hot tub.
So no, you cannot decrease your hot tubs pH levels with baking soda. If youre looking to decrease the pH of your hot tub, then you should consider getting a pH reducer. It can be found in hot tubs and pool shops and it is very effective.
Another way to lower the pH level in your hot tub is by using muriatic acid. This chemical helps you lower your pH levels and alkalinity together, to keep the tub water balanced.
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Lower Ph Using Muriatic Acid
Probably the most common chemical used in every household, muriatic acid is an inexpensive way to lower your hot tub’s pH. But we also know how extremely corrosive this chemical is, so we need to handle it with a lot of care. Muriatic acid is known to cause skin burns, eye damage, and nose and lung irritation.
Here’s how you can safely use muriatic acid to lower the pH in your hot tub:
How Can I Use Vinegar To Lower Ph In My Hot Tub
Keeping your pH levels in check from time to time is the way to go if you want to keep using your pool for a long time without having to worry about your pool generating issues.
A pH level that is too high will cause the formation of white scaling along the walls of the tub. There are some products you can purchase from pool or tub supply stores that can help you lower the pH levels of your hot tub.
If you find it costly to afford the chemicals available to you to help lower the pH level of your hot tub, then try natural means like vinegar. Vinegar is very effective in lowering the pH level of your pool and is very affordable.
Heres the process to follow towards lowering the pH level of your hot tub with vinegar.
- Test the pH level: test the pH level of your hot tub to know where it stands and how much vinegar it needs to get raised.
- Measure four cups of vinegar and pour it directly into the water. You can decide to use either apple cider vinegar or white household vinegar.
- Make sure your hot tub pump is running. Turn on your hot tub pump to ensure that the vinegar is properly circulated.
- Retest the hot tub after youre done to check for progress.
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What Should The Water Ph Level Be
The sweet spot you are aiming for is a pH level of 7.4-7.6
- Damage pump seals and other spa components
- Leave marks and staining on the acrylic shell
- Give bathers dry, itchy skin and stinging / burning eyes human tears are pH 7.4
- Chlorine / bromine sanitiser becomes much less effective and the need to use more
- Cloudy water and a gritty feel on hot tub surfaces
- White Flakes in hot tub water
What Happens If Hot Tub Ph Is Too High
High pH is not suitable for your hot tub. If it is too high, it will start to form scales. High pH levels in your hot tub contribute to the formation of chalky deposits on the hot tubs surface, especially if there are high temperatures and significant amounts of calcium. The chalky deposits feel like sand on the surfaces of acrylic hot tubs. Besides, you might notice white flakes from the jets, which could get caught in the filters and plugin. The effective circulation of the hot tub water will be hindered, leading to flow error problems.
The effect of high pH levels in a hot tub could extend to the heater surfaces and the plumbing, where scales could start to form. The effects of scaling on the two components could affect the normal functioning of the hot tub. Specifically, the blockage could happen in the plumbing, affecting the water circulation. It could also strip the breaker and cause heater failure.
Its important to remember that the scaling effect of the plumbing system increases the water pressure in the circulation system, straining the hot tub equipment. Specifically, it can cause damage to the pump or accelerated wear and tear because of forcing it to do extra work to circulate the water.
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Does Chlorine Raise Or Lower Ph In A Hot Tub
Adding chlorine to your hot tub at normal levels will not alter the pH level of the water in your hot tub. However, if you add an excessive amount of chlorine to your hot tub, it will lower the pH level. When adding chemicals to your hot tub, it is important to ensure that you are adding the correct amount.
How Do I Bring The Ph Down In My Hot Tub Tips From Pros
Many people have a hot tub in their backyard. The pH of the water is important to maintain the longevity of the hot tub. Individuals who use their hot tub on a regular basis should take it easy adding chemicals to avoid any adverse effects on the hot tub, which can be expensive to replace if damaged by a chemical imbalance. The ideal pH range for a hot tub is between 7.4 and 7.6, and anything above this can cause issues with your hot tub. But how do you lower the pH in a hot tub?
How do I bring the pH down in my hot tub?
You can lower the pH in your hot tub by adding a pool acid-like Muriatic Acid orSodium Bisulfate. This will reduce the total alkalinity and pH. The hot tub pH increases when the water becomes excessively alkaline, this causes the water to deteriorate. At this point, the overall alkalinity of the water in your hot tub will also be high.
There are different ways to lower the pH in a hot tub. In this article, I will provide more details on how you can bring down the pH in your hot tub. I will also answer some commonly asked questions.
Contents
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Why Is Baking Soda Used When Lowering Ph
However, baking soda plays an important role in lowering the pH in a hot tub. In lowering the pH level, the total alkalinity also drops, depending on which pH down is being used.
Total alkalinity plays a very important role in keeping your pH level in check. Rather than pH spiking up all of a sudden or dropping too low, your TA acts as a buffer, preventing these fluctuations.
A TA of between 80 and 120 ppm is the right measure if you want to keep a stable hot tub chemical level.
In raising the total alkalinity of your hot tub, baking soda and soda ash are serious game players in this aspect as they do just that. But then, between both, baking soda is the most preferred, the reason being that it raises the Total Alkalinity without much effect on the pH.
You do not want a case wherein a bid to raise the TA, you end up raising the pH above the ideal level again, and the balancing cycle continues.
So after you are done lowering the pH of your hot tub water. Check the TA and add baking soda to increase it.
Pick The Proper Products
Always use professional products that were recommended to you by your in-store professional. Be cautious of products from big-box stores as their cheaper prices often mean diluted products. Diluted products often take longer to work, if they work at all, which will result in more time and money spent fixing your hot tub water. You’ll want to stick to the “good stuff” when it comes to treating your spa water.
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Will Baking Soda Lower Hot Tub Ph
This can be confusing a lot, especially when it comes to reducing and increasing pH or alkalinity. To make it easier to understand, we need to know that baking soda is an alkaline compound.
Being alkaline means that it can only increase the pH of hot tub water. To lower the pH of hot tub water, we need to use an acidic compound. So, baking soda cannot lower your hot tub pH. To learn more you need to read this topic Will Baking Soda Lower pH In Hot Tub?
How To Raise Ph In Hot Tub Naturally
Sodium carbonate is the primary ingredient added in most pH increasers. It is also commonly known as soda ash. Both soda ash and sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, are quite similar, to the point where you can also use baking soda to raise the pH value.
However, soda ash is more effective, and will also be useful for raising the total alkalinity in your hot tub, without having too much of an impact on the pH value.
You need to understand that soda ash will increase the total alkalinity by a considerable margin. Therefore, if the pH value in your hot tub is lower but the total alkalinity is higher, sodium carbonate may take it above the recommended threshold.
Theres also a natural way to raise your hot tubs pH value and is one that anyone can use as a natural home remedy. If you didnt know, water from your hose is usually slightly higher in alkalinity than the water in your hot tub and therefore adding fresh water can raise your hot tubs PH value.
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What Should The Ph Of A Hot Tub Be
As I mentioned, the range for acceptable pH in a hot tub is a range of between 7.2 and 7.8, and 7.6 is really the optimum.
When the pH is either too high or too low, thats when some of the most common problems with hot tub water chemistry start to happen.
Check out this handy chart to see some of the most common problems.
| Too High a pH |
|---|
| Poor Alkalinity |
So start by adjusting the alkalinity with alkalinity increaser or decreaser.
Then, set about adjusting the pH once alkalinity is set. It can be very hard to balance pH if your alkalinity is off.
#HotTubTip: Use baking soda to clean small surface areas in your hot tub
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