Total Hardness is a measure of the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the hot tub water. The basic recommended range in a hot tub is between 200 and 400 parts per million. This can vary depending on the hot tub finish and chemicals you are using to treat your spa.
How do I fix the hardness in my hot tub?
It’s imperative not to let your hot tub’s calcium hardness dip too far below 150ppm. If your hot tub’s calcium hardness level drops below the recommended 150 ppm the easiest and most common way to raise calcium hardness is by adding a calcium hardness increaser such as calcium chloride to your hot tub.
What should Spa water hardness?
Ideally the calcium level should be between 100- 200 PPM’s for acrylic spas and swim spas and 250-450 PPM’s for plaster finish. Test your spa water using the correct test strips for your system. Some potential problems if calcium levels go unchecked: Hardness too low.
How do you soften spa water?
Fortunately, the easiest way to raise calcium hardness in a hot tub is to—you guessed it—add calcium to the water. Actually, you want to add calcium chloride, which is the active ingredient in calcium hardness increaser made specifically for hot tubs.
Does baking soda increase water hardness?
However, adding too much baking soda might also raise the PH level of your pool to an undesired stage (alkaline). In the case where too much baking soda is added to hard water, it can cause a build-up of calcium around your pool.
Can I use soft water in my hot tub?
Never use soft water in your hot tub! If you do have to, you need to add something to increase the calcium hardness to prevent problems with your hot tub. Such issues can be the following if you use soft water: Corrosion to soft areas of the hot tub.
How much baking soda do I put in my spa?
Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the hot tub for every 100 gallons of water it holds. For example, add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a hot tub that holds 400 gallons of water.
Does baking soda reduce water hardness?
Baking soda – While adding baking soda to your bath won’t chemically soften the water, it will make it feel slicker and cause your skin to feel softer. To try this method, add ½ a cup of baking soda to a tubful of water and soak in the bath for about 15 minutes.
How do I increase total hardness in my pool?
If your calcium hardness is too low, it can be increased by adding calcium chloride from your pool shop. Adding calcium to your pool will increase the calcium level right away.
What happens if pool hardness is low?
Problems often associated with low calcium hardness include: Eroding of tile grouting and delaminating of plaster surfaces. Etching or pitting of pool decks or stone and concrete surfaces surrounding your pool Corrosion of metal parts (i.e. pipes, ladders, filters, screws, etc.)
Does calcium hardness affect chlorine?
Calcium hardness should be kept at 250 ppm minimum. Once full, getting your pool to 250 ppm is important; from there if you’re using calcium hypochlorite to add chlorine to your pool your calcium hardness will steadily increase. There is no real reason to lower your hardness.
What causes calcium hardness in a pool?
What causes excess calcium in a swimming pool? In most cases, excess calcium happens when your pool water is not properly balanced. Common culprits are high pH, fluctuating temperatures, and evaporation.
How do I remove calcium hardness from my pool?
How to Lower Calcium Hardness in Your Pool
- Drain and replace some water. Before you replace the water, test your water source. …
- Use pool flocculant. If you can’t or don’t want to drain any water from the pool, try using pool floc to clump the excess calcium. …
- Try muriatic acid.
Is calcium hardness the same as alkalinity?
Hardness is the sum of the multivalent metal ions in solution, whereas alkalinity is a measure of the solution’s ability to neutralize acids (sum of hydroxide, carbonate, and bicarbonates). In natural water systems calcium carbonate is usually present and responsible for different characteristics of the water.
