Original > Hot Tub Forum
Low Alkalinity High PH Problem
Upstate_Dunadan:
Yea...it's super easy. No need to overthink it.
HotTubLife:
Not sure if this will help you or not. But on the off chance it helps *someone*, here it is.
I struggled with this problem for a long time. The issue seemed to be that, although the water would initially measure in the ideal range, with an appropriate level of alkalinity, the PH would eventually creep down over time. Ultimately, it was no longer possible to increase the PH without also screwing up the alkalinity readings. I started using the FreshWater brand PH Balance product with some modest success. But what I eventually discovered is that the chlorinating granules that I was adding (to supplement the salt-cell sanitation system) were producing cyanuric acid, and that this was lowering my PH, but not the alkalinity (for some reason). I was really having a hell of a time with it. Like you, I was being driven nuts.
However, when it came time to replace my ACE Salt Cell and I saw the price tag on that baby, I stumbled on the fix for all of this. I ended up buying a much less expensive salt cell (The Scepter) and that alone seems to have solved the problem. This cell seems to work much better than the original ACE cell - I haven't had to add chlorine in any form for a couple of months now (and I am in this thing every single morning and the water remains gin-clear). Once I get the PH settled after a water change/addition, everything else is fine and stays that way. I have had virtually no maintenance to do to keep the water perfectly clear.
The only battle is with phosphate/foam from skin-care products. I am spending part of the day tackling that. Wish me luck!
DJJ:
I am still fighting a losing battle. Alkalinity-44/PH-7.9. I add Alkalinity Increaser. Alkalinity-59/PH-8.2. I add Alkalinity Increaser...… I am afraid to even check the water now. I'm sure my PH is up around 8.5. Once my Alkalinity is balanced, I will have to try and bring the PH down, which I am sure will lower my Alkalinity. I'm ready to light the spa on fire.
bud16415:
--- Quote from: HotTubLife on December 15, 2019, 12:22:07 pm ---Not sure if this will help you or not. But on the off chance it helps *someone*, here it is.
I struggled with this problem for a long time. The issue seemed to be that, although the water would initially measure in the ideal range, with an appropriate level of alkalinity, the PH would eventually creep down over time. Ultimately, it was no longer possible to increase the PH without also screwing up the alkalinity readings. I started using the FreshWater brand PH Balance product with some modest success. But what I eventually discovered is that the chlorinating granules that I was adding (to supplement the salt-cell sanitation system) were producing cyanuric acid, and that this was lowering my PH, but not the alkalinity (for some reason). I was really having a hell of a time with it. Like you, I was being driven nuts.
However, when it came time to replace my ACE Salt Cell and I saw the price tag on that baby, I stumbled on the fix for all of this. I ended up buying a much less expensive salt cell (The Scepter) and that alone seems to have solved the problem. This cell seems to work much better than the original ACE cell - I haven't had to add chlorine in any form for a couple of months now (and I am in this thing every single morning and the water remains gin-clear). Once I get the PH settled after a water change/addition, everything else is fine and stays that way. I have had virtually no maintenance to do to keep the water perfectly clear.
The only battle is with phosphate/foam from skin-care products. I am spending part of the day tackling that. Wish me luck!
--- End quote ---
Similar to your solution where the new cell produces pure chlorine liquid household bleach does much the same. Dichlor is what people normally use for supplemental chlorine and dichlor is made for pools that are subject to sunlight and sunlight depletes the stabilizer / acid that is added in. So in a hot tub a little stabilizers 50PPM is a good thing more than that is not. Liquid bleach has none. As far as I know there isn’t a granular product good for a hot tub without the added stabilizer.
I use dichlor watching my stabilizer number and when it reaches 50PPM I switch over to the cheaper bleach. Roughly 1 tablespoon dichlor = 1/3 cup bleach. With adding water etc when it hits 30PPM I switch back.
HotTubLife:
--- Quote from: bud16415 on December 17, 2019, 04:27:08 pm ---
Similar to your solution where the new cell produces pure chlorine liquid household bleach does much the same. Dichlor is what people normally use for supplemental chlorine and dichlor is made for pools that are subject to sunlight and sunlight depletes the stabilizer / acid that is added in. So in a hot tub a little stabilizers 50PPM is a good thing more than that is not. Liquid bleach has none. As far as I know there isn’t a granular product good for a hot tub without the added stabilizer.
I use dichlor watching my stabilizer number and when it reaches 50PPM I switch over to the cheaper bleach. Roughly 1 tablespoon dichlor = 1/3 cup bleach. With adding water etc when it hits 30PPM I switch back.
--- End quote ---
Since my spa is covered, stabilizer to prevent UV depletion doesn't seem to be of much help. In any event, I haven't noticed any ill effects from leaving it off entirely. And I noticed that the salt levels crept up slowly but surely when I was adding a small amount of household bleach every week. So I stopped doing that, too. These days, I add absolutely nothing and the water has been gin-clear for months. Perhaps my luck will run out, but so far, so good!
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