How to lower alkalinity in a hot tub without chemicals.
You got a hot tub because you wanted one.That isn't it.There is no point in owning a hot tub if you don't take care of it.
Would you service a sedan every six months to maintain its longevity?It's the same for your spa.It's great to enjoy your swim spa every weekend, but it can turn into a nightmare if the water is cloudy and smelly.
If you want your hot tub to last longer and remain the way you bought it, you need to keep the water's pH and alkalinity in check.You will have questions if you are a hot tub beginner.
There are terms thrown around that can confuse people who are not familiar with hot tub water chemistry.You don't have to get into the depths of chemistry to blow off your mind.We try to explain in a simple language what they are, why they matter, and how to balance them.
You need to deal with the alkalinity balance in order to balance the water's pH levels.You won't be able to balance the water of the hot tub if your alkalinity is off the charts.They go hand in hand and affect each other.
A "buffer" is the measure of your spa's ability to neutralize acids.The first step in balancing the pH level is checking the alkalinity.We will get into that after we know what the pH scale is and how it is affected by alkalinity.
The amount of TA is measured in parts per million.It protects the surfaces from damage by providing a balance in mineral content.
Anything in the extreme is wrong.Too low or high alkalinity is harmful for your skin and your spa.Your hot tub is dull-looking and gives the water a greenish hue if you have an unbalanced alkaline level.
The riskiest of the two extremes is low alkalinity.The effects of acids can cause significant fluctuations in the pH.
Green water can be caused by high alkalinity as it reduces the effects of sanitizers like chlorine and bromine.
Scale can form on the surfaces of the tub if the water is cloudy due to high alkalinity and this can harm your spa's jets and filters as they are likely to get clogged.
There is a balanced pH level of water.7.4 to 7.6 is the ideal range for the water's pH in the hot tub.The total alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 parts per million.
The power of hydrogen is the measure of how much hydrogen ion is present in the water.If the water is acidic, basic, or neutral, the concentration of hydrogen ion will go up.It is to measure how acidic or alkaline your water is.
A range of acidic, neutral, and basic is believed to be 7 to 14.
If the pH level goes too far from its ideal range, it can damage your hot tub parts and cause rust in metal parts.
The pH level can be checked with a test strip.You can either increase or decrease the pH level with a pH increaser.Allow it to circulate for a few minutes.The water should be tested again if the pH or alkalinity is still high.
You shouldn't go crazy with the chemicals and do the process using little by little because the pH will drop faster when you try to lower the alkalinity.If you want to lower the alkalinity by 10ppm, you'll need 1.6 lbs and 1.23 liters of muriatic acid for every 10,000 gallons of water.
The pH level decreases when the alkalinity is lowered.The process of Aeration is needed to increase the pH of the water.Aeration is the process of turning on all the jets and air features so that more and more air is pumped into the water.Adding acid and aerating will decrease the alkalinity and maintain the pH level.
If you don't achieve the desired result after chasing the levels up and down, the only other option is to drain and refill the tub.
If you want to lower the pH level of your hot tub water, you can take four cups of vinegar and pour it in.You should circulate the water in the tub.Either way, you can use it at home.After a few hours, turn off the jets.You should repeat the process if you get an appropriate level.
The life span of your hot tub can be extended with proper maintenance.