When you’re trying to balance the chemicals in your hot tub, it can get confusing. There’s pH balance, total alkalinity, chlorine levels…so many things to check. And what’s the difference? We’re not going to get into all of that today, because it’s a lot all at once. But to start, here’s everything you need to know about hot tub alkalinity.
What is Hot Tub Alkalinity?
Hot tub alkalinity can get confusing. If you’ve already learned about your pH balance, you know that too high of a pH level can be considered basic or alkaline. So aren’t alkaline and alkalinity the same thing? Not exactly. You can have a pH that is not alkaline, and still have high total alkalinity, and vice versa. Alkalinity basically just determines how likely your pH is to fluctuate. Too high of a total alkalinity will make it harder to lower your pH. And when your pH is too high, then your chlorine is ineffective. So even though pH and chlorine levels are easier to understand, you really need to keep an eye on your hot tub water’s total alkalinity.
How Do You Test Total Alkalinity?
Testing total alkalinity is easy. Like other chemicals, all you do is dip a test strip in the water and see what it says. The tricky part is adjusting the alkalinity. You want to make sure it’s in the ideal range (about 80-120ppm, depending on the type of chlorine you use), and adjust it sooner rather than later if it goes too high or too low.
How Do You Fix Total Alkalinity?
With total alkalinity, the goal is to keep it balanced and hopefully not let it get too high or too low. One of the easiest ways to do that is with Silk Balance® Everfresh. All you have to do is add Silk Balance Everfresh to your hot tub once a week, and it will help make sure your pH levels and total alkalinity remain balanced.
If your total alkalinity does get out of whack, though, it can be fixed. If your alkalinity is too high, you’ll want to add muriatic acid or an alkalinity decreaser. If it’s too low, you’ll want to add baking soda, or an alkalinity increaser. When in doubt, though, you can always contact Texas Hot Tub Company and we’ll help you figure it out. It’s always better to ask than to risk damage to your hot tub.
How Do I Get Help with My Total Alkalinity?
You now know everything you need to know about hot tub alkalinity, but you still may need some help. Or maybe you’re looking for a hot tub and want to buy from somewhere that can help you when you need it. If that sounds like you, come stop by Texas Hot Tub Company. We’ve been serving DFW Texas since 1958, and we provide service for every single hot tub we’ve sold. We also have great hot tub models, like Jacuzzi® brand hot tubs, that are compatible with Silk Balance Everfresh to keep your pH and alkalinity in check. Stop by today, contact us online, or give us a call to learn more.