spa pH issues

[Joe S.]

My spa alkalinity was 30, pH was 7.0 I added baking soda which I thought would only raise the alkalinity and not have much effect on the pH, and after getting the alkalinity in the correct range, I would adjust the pH.

I got the alkalinity in the 80-90 range, but was surprised that the pH went way up too, beyond even the 8.2 visual scale. I thought baking soda had a limited effect on pH, reading the TFP basics. I don't understand why that happened?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

We're the spa jets running?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk,16k gal SWG pool (All Pentair), QuadDE100 Filter, Taylor K-2006

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

With the higher TA and the spa jets running that could have increased your PH. TA of 80-90 is too high for a spa. More like 50 is better.

There is good discussion in this article about PH and TA. You can skip the part about chlorine since you use bromine.
How do I use Chlorine in my Spa (or pool)?

 

[cowboycasey]

Joe, I keep my ALK at 30 to keep PH from raising... I still need to add acid about every 2 to 3 weeks to drop the PH.. when my ALK was at 70 I had to lower PH every day..

 

[Joe S.]

Yes, they were running when I added the baking soda.

- - - Updated - - -

Mine was at 30 but I am having a problem with the PH. I get it in the 7.6 range and then over the course of a week or so, it is down in the high 6's or very low 7's without any further chemicals other than the floating bromine dispenser, and it is in target range. I thought (and read) that if the alkalinity is too low (or too high) there is a problem keeping the PH stabilized.

Thanks for the responses and pooldv, thanks for the link.

 

[pooldv]

Yes, too low can be an issue as well. As it was with yours at 30. Try 59 and see how your PH behaves.

Edit, try TA of 50. Not 59, lol.

 

[cowboycasey]

Pooldv is right on, too low or too high and it will fluctuate fast, you want to find the sweet spot where it moves very slow