Some people believe that their spa water is so good that they don't need to test it. However, for most people, the water from their tap or the hose is not good enough.
After draining, fill a spa with fresh water. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to test and balance the water to make it look and feel fresh.
1. Pre-Filter the Water
Well water comes from your well. But, most of the time, your water is not treated properly and goes straight to the filter and conditioning system.
A spa pre-filter is a great way to keep the water in your hot tub or shower clean. It's also a great way to prevent buildup of debris and minerals.
Pre-filtration is a technique that will remove various impurities from your water. It's also beneficial for city water.
2. Check Calcium Hardness
The first step in checking the water's hardness is to check the strips that are connected to the spa or hot tub.
Too soft water can foam easily and cause issues with the pumps and accessories. Also, water that is too hard can deposit scale on the spa floor.
For water that is too soft to drink, add Calcium Increaser to raise its level. It will make the water "harder" and lower total hardness. Also, for water that is already hard, add a chemical to lower its calcium content.
3. Check pH & Alkalinity
Alkalinity and pH are both close cousins that measure the presence of dissolved minerals in water. If your total alkalinity is low, your pH will bounce back and change.
If your pH is resistant to change, then you most likely have high alkalinity. To lower it, add Alkalinity Increaser or another acid. After filling the spa, adjust the alkalinity to a range of 80-120 ppm.
Ideally, your Spa pH should be between 7 and 7.6. It's important to keep chlorine and bromine working at their best, and it can also help prevent damage to certain surfaces.
4. Add Bromide & Bromine
One disadvantage of using the spa water every few months is that, unlike chlorine, bromide ions take a long time to build up.
Brumine tablets can take a long time to dissolve, so it's usually best to add bromine booster to the spa to speed up the process.
A few capfuls of Brom Booster will bring up the level of bromine ions in the water. To test the concentration, add a few dozen tablets to a spa or brominator. Set up a consistent bromine reading for several days.
You've done all the work necessary to get ready for a dip in the tub. Now it's time to get started!
If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!