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Maintenance & Care > Water Balance
By balancing the water you are creating the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency and equipment protection. In order to correctly balance the water a number of factors are taken into account.
- Calcium Hardness
This will vary depending on where you live and where your water supply comes from, it is however, very important that the correct level is established. As a guide soft water tends to be low in calcium hardness and hard water more obviously is high. The level should be checked each time you top up or re-fill the Hot Tub with fresh water. The ideal calcium hardness level for hot tubs is between 100-200mg per litre.
When the level is below 100mg per litre the water could be corrosive which could lead to damage of plant equipment such as the heater. In order to achieve the correct level apply Hardness Plus to the spa water.
When the level is above 200mg per litre the water has a tendency to appear cloudy and also calcium can precipitate out and deposit itself on the hot tub shell, heater element, cartridge filters and within the pipework. In order to achieve the correct level apply Spa No Scale / Anti Scale to the spa water as required.
- Total Alkalinity
This will again vary depending on your water source so it should be checked every time fresh water is added. The alkalinity level acts as a buffer to prevent pH change, consequently if the level is too low the pH will fluctuate widely similarly if the level is too high the pH adjustment will be difficult to adjust. The ideal Total Alkalinity level for hot tubs is between 80-160mg per litre.
When the total alkalinity level is below 80mg per litre not only will the pH fluctuate but the water could be corrosive, cause damage to the equipment and be uncomfortable to bathers. In order to achieve the correct level apply T.A. Plus to the spa water. When the total alkalinity level is above 160mg per litre the pH level will be difficult to adjust and the water could be scale forming and clarity impaired. In order to achieve the correct level apply T.A. Minus or pH Minus / Dry Acid.
- pH levels
Regular pH checks are an essential part of your hot tub maintenance routine. The pH scale has a range of 0-14 with 0 being very acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being very alkali. The ideal range for hot tubs is between 7.4 ? 7.6 this being slightly alkaline to protect the hot tub and prevent equipment corrosion. This level also provides the most comfortable conditions for bathers and suitable level for sanitizers to be most effective.
If the pH level is below 7.4 use pH Plus / Soda Ash to increase the level If the pH level is above 7.6 use pH Minus / Dry Acid to reduce the level.
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