Keeping the water in your hot tub crystal clear will take some practice. Every spa must have a sanitizer in order to keep bacteria at bay. It is also a great idea to shower before entering your tub, this will keep the amount of residual soaps, deodorants, perfumes, natural body oils, and cosmetics to a minimum.
As you fill your tub with water it is a good idea to let the hose run for a few minutes before filling the tub. This will allow any bacteria lingering in the garden hose to flush out of the line.
As mentioned in the last blog, you have two choices when it comes to sanitizers, chlorine or bromine. Adding the sanitizer will actually be one of the last steps in water balance, ironically, it’s often the first chemical spa owners add to their tub!
When you test your spa water, you will measure the level of pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and sanitizer. It is important to keep these levels within the recommended range. Fluctuations in pH can cause spa water to become corrosive or scale forming. Scale buildup, foaming or corrosion of equipment and plumbing may result from unbalanced calcium levels. Total alkalinity will effect pH values resulting which, if left unbalanced, can lead to corrosion, cloudy water, or scaling.
Okay, now you know why you should balance your water. Next we will review how to balance your water. Use your test strips to check the levels in your tub. Just swirl the test strip around in the water for a few seconds. Then you hold the test strip up to the bottle and compare the colors on the strip. The bottle will show the recommended ranges in ppm (parts per million). Please note, the bottle will show a recommended range of 3-5 ppm for bromine. If you are using the Spa Frog system your bromine levels should be between 1-3. Now that you know what you need to treat, it’s time to balance the water. I recommend treating the calcium hardness and total alkalinity first, then finally pH. After these levels are in check, you can add the sanitizer.
The recommended range for total alkalinity is between 80-120 ppm. The total alkalinity acts as a buffer to prevent the pH level from changing as additional chemicals or other substances are added to the water. You may use Leisure Time Spa Up, Spa Down, or Alkalinity Increaser to adjust this level. Spa Up and Spa Down will actually move the pH and total alkalinity up or down, so do not use this product unless your pH is inline with your total alkalinity and needs to be adjusted accordingly. If your pH is within range, just use the Alkalinity Increaser to raise only your total alkalinity levels.
The recommended range for calcium hardness is between 150-400 ppm. You must be careful when balancing calcium levels because the only way to reduce the level is to drain water from your tub and replace with softer water. To raise calcium levels, use Calcium Booster. Leisure Time Defender acts as a sequestering agent and will prevent calcium and scale formations by chemically bonding with the calcium.
Once you have balanced your calcium and total alkalinity, pull out another test strip to check the pH level. If it still needs to be adjusted you may use Spa Up or Spa Down. Once your water is balanced, add Leisure Time pH Balance Plus. This product will reduce the need to adjust your pH for up to three months.
Okay, in my next blog I will outline proper use of chlorine and brome. I will also address the difference between using the Leisure time bromine floater and the Spa Frog system.
