Basic Balancing of Hot Tub Water

When balancing your spa water the goal is to end with invisible water. When the water is still it should be so crystal clear that you will have to touch the water to make sure it's actually there! If you have good source water, (We will address bad source water at another time.) all you need to do in order to get inviting sparkly water that's safe for you and your other bathers and which will increase your spa's longevity, is to correctly balance 3 basic measurements; sanitizer (ideally chlorine), pH and total alkalinity (TA).

Chlorine, the most common and one of the best sanitizers, should be kept between 1-3ppm. Too little chlorine in your hot tub results in an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. This bacterial growth can cloud the water, or at the very least, give it a horrible smell. If you were to bathe in this water, any openings you have in your body would allow entry to the bacteria, which is never good. Too high chlorine in the spa can be abrasive to headrests or the inside of your spa cover; it can also stain your clothing or attack and damage your jewelry.

PH is the measurement of the level of acidity and alkalinity in your water. Your pH should be kept between 7.2-7.8, with 7.5 being perfect. Too low pH means your water will be acidic. Some very acidic liquids are stomach acid, lemon juice and vinegar. Low pH levels in your spa makes for acidic water, this can cause your eyes to sting can make your chlorine disappear and it is really bad for your spa equipment. Acidic water eats away at the metal and plastic of your spa equipment, weakening them and shortening their life span. Too high pH means your water will be alkaline. Some very alkaline liquids are oven cleaner, household bleach and ammonia. Again, this causes your eyes to sting and it makes your chlorine ineffective. Alkaline water affects your spa equipment differently from acidic water. High pH levels can leave calcium deposits, causing a buildup in your heating elements and pipes meaning decreased circulation and function.

Total Alkalinity (TA) is the last of the three and ties in directly with the pH levels. TA acts as a steadying factor for your pH. The levels of your TA should be 80-120ppm. If your TA isn't correct, your pH will never be either. If your TA is too low, your pH can change drastically in a short time. If TA is too high, your pH will be too. If you don't get your TA correct, you'll waste a lot of money on pH chemicals when all you need to do is correct the TA levels to provide a nice solid base for your pH.

So, in conclusion, keep your chlorine between 1-3ppm, your pH between 7.2-7.8 and your Total Alkalinity (TA) between 80-120ppm. Your guests and your spa will thank you for it!