Aquaterra Spa Chemicals

Aquaterra offers high quality spas. They are designed to work with energy efficiency and offer reliability in performance. Spa water chemistry is something important when it comes to having a healthy hot tub experience. In bath tubs, we drain the water. However, that is not the case with hot tubs.  Water in the hot tub is not drained after the use. Hence it is important to maintain clean water in the spas. Spa water chemistry involves two important factors. One is keeping the chemical properties of the spa water in balance. Chemical properties of water like Ph level, alkalinity, hardness, etc are to be maintained at the proper levels. Now the other factor is to sanitize the water so as to keep it free from microbes.

In this article, we will see what water chemistry guidelines are put forth by Aquaterra spas for the proper maintenance of the hot tub.

Water Chemistry Guidelines

It is the responsibility of the spa owner to take proper care of the spa water chemistry as this can make your hot tub experience a pleasant one or an unpleasant one. Nobody wants to spend huge repair costs every now and then. You need to thoroughly read the user manual and act accordingly. Keep in mind that these costs will not be covered under the spa warranty if you fail to do so.

Now, initially you should have better understanding of the minerals which are present in your water source. This can help in better treatment of the spa water. The below mentioned four steps can help you in achieving the best spa water care. You need to achieve the correct results in each step so as to achieve overall efficiency.

Establishing Proper pH Levels

Establishing proper pH level is the first important guideline in spa water chemistry. For this mineral components in the water should be in perfect balance. The water which is perfectly balanced can provide pleasant feeling to skin. Also, proper water balance can make the sanitizer work effectively. You need to take periodic measurements of the spa water using test strips which throw light on the pH levels of the same.

The pH levels in the recommended range between 7.2 and 7.8. High pH above the value of 7.8 can turn the water too alkaline. This can result in water turning cloudy, and scale formation which can be seen on the shell and heater. In such cases, you need to lower the pH making use of a pH decreaser like sodium bisulfate. pH   value of 7 is considered neutral. However, pH value below 7 can make the spa water turn acidic which can damage the heating system of the hot tub. In such cases, you need to increase the pH value of the spa water by making use of pH increaser like sodium hydrogen carbonate. 

Usage Guidelines: You need to use the above mentioned chemicals only in small amounts. Add one teaspoon at a time. Then, wait for about 1.5 hours and measure the pH value. Then you can proceed with subsequent applications if needed.

Measuring Total Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity is an important measurement which gives an insight into the amount of bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides present in the spa water. Proper total alkalinity is important so as to achieve pH control. It actually indicates the ability of the water to resist changes in pH. So when total alkalinity is way too high, it gets difficult to adjust the pH. On the other hand, when total alkalinity value goes way too low, it gets difficult to hold the pH value at proper level. Total alkalinity value getting high is not that much a trouble when compared to total alkalinity value getting low. It is better if you adjust the total alkalinity values at first and then check for the pH values rather than starting off with pH. This is because, in most cases, properly adjusted total alkalinity levels will result in pH values getting adjusted too. So the total alkalinity value should be with the recommended range for achieving effective spa water chemistry.

Now, the ideal range of total alkalinity measurement should be between 40-120 parts per million (ppm). You can reduce the total alkalinity down by using an Alkalinity Decreaser like sodium bisulfate. On the other hand, you can increase the total alkalinity values by adding an Alkalinity Increaser like sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Usage Guidelines: The above mentioned chemicals needed to be added in small amounts only. You can try using a table spoon of the chemicals at a time. Once a table spoon of the chemical is added, wait for about 1.5 hours, then re- measure the values. You can have subsequent applications if needed. Proceed to the next step only after achieving safe total alkalinity levels.

Determining Calcium Hardness

Calcium Hardness is the measure of the amount of dissolved calcium in the spa water. When the calcium hardness values are insufficient, this can lead to corrosion and water foaming problems in your hot tub. You can use a test kit which can keep a check on the values.

The calcium reading of the spa water should be between 75 -150 ppm.  A low reading may result in water getting too soft. A high reading indicates the water is way too harder. You can increase calcium hardness levels by adding calcium hardness boosters. If calcium hardness levels are low, then this can be corrected by either of the following:  (A) adding a mixture of hard and soft water so as to attain the safe range, or (B) by adding stain and scale control to the spa water.

Sanitizing The Spa Water

The warm water used in hot tubs is an active breeding ground for harmful microbes. Bacteria from the bodies of the spa users, viruses, algae, all these can add to the microbe levels in the spa water. So sanitization is an important step for achieving proper spa water chemistry. After the completion of the above mentioned steps, the manufacturer recommends sanitizing the spa using Chlorine (sodium dichlor).

Usage Guidelines:  Add 2 teaspoons of Chlorine, and then you may increase as necessary so as to reach a level of 3-5 ppm. You need to check this level and maintain it weekly and also before and after using the spa. Sprinkle the chlorine granules over the filter area keeping the jets running on high.

NOTE: It is recommended to use granulated sodium dichlor for sanitizing spa water. You may also use granular bromine. However, never use compressed sanitizers even with a floater. Also, it is recommended to introduce sanitizer to the spa with the jets running for 10 minutes. This should be the case with any chemicals being introduced in the spa water.

Weekly Shock:

Shocking is essential to kill micro organisms and bather impurities. It can also reactivate the sanitizers. For weekly shock, you can use Potassium Monopersulfate shock. Keep the jets running. Add about 60ml of the chemical into the filter bucket.  Now you need to leave the cover up. Also let the jets run high for 10 minutes. After that, you can shut the jets off and cover the hot tub so as to maintain the heat.