Newbie with hot tub question about Cyanuric Acid and Hard water

[edie85635]

I have a question.
As a COMPLETE hot tub newbie, I have been trying to fix things on my own.

BUT!


We live in the foothills of the mountains of SE Arizona.
Our water is so hard that even our household things like the shower, ice cube maker, etc. are inundated with probably calcium.


Here is my hot tub chemical info:
Chlorine: 5ish
pH: usually > 9, easily reduced to 7ish
Alkalinity:around 200, easily reduced to 120 but have not been successful on getting it lower.
Hardness: about 500-600, 1st refill >800
Cyanuric Acid: Probably 200-400 ---does not measure/ as Too High. Probably over 4-500.
We are using 6 way test strips from a general merchandiser, as this hot tub itself is 2nd hand .


Dear Sir,
I am trying to make our2nd hand hot tub safe for our use.
It is used around 2-3/week. Otherwise covered from the UV input.
(Our UV stuff is astronomical in Southern Arizona)


Can you please suggest how to fix our Cy acid levels? Our even if that should this be our first concern?
Any suggestions are truly appreciated,
E.

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

I have used this process to maintain my tub for about 5 years now and it works great.
How do I use Chlorine in my Spa (or pool)?

 

[edie85635]

saving this.
thank you.
my gut is the fresh water refill balance is affecting how I want to 'fix' it.
I already know our 'city's' water system is high hardness, and we cannot afford a softener.
Thank you again for the link

 

[pooldv]

Yes, it is best to just drain it and start over.

 

[edie85635]

drained it on 22Aug
.... so still looking at your link, which, btw, is FANTASTIC

- - - Updated - - -

It is our local water source. Very Hard.

 

[edie85635]

Sir,
Understanding our local Hardness is not 'fixable', what can I do to make our hot tub safe...also realizing the only items I can fix this are ONLY available online. We are not even regarded as a suburb to the closest town 70+ miles away.
V/R,
E.

 

[pooldv]

Please post test results. Hard water can mean different things. But, generally hard water does not impact sanitation.

FC - Free Chlorine
CC - Combined Chlorine
pH
TA - Total Alkalinity
CH - Calcium Hardness
CYA - Cyanuric Acid (stabilizer)

Also, more here, ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry