{"id":1489,"date":"2022-01-13T19:09:42","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T19:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hottubzone.com\/?p=1489"},"modified":"2023-02-06T18:54:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:54:06","slug":"how-to-raise-alkalinity-hot-tub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hottubzone.com\/how-to-raise-alkalinity-hot-tub\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Raise Alkalinity in a Hot Tub (Step-by-Step Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Ensuring that alkalinity levels are within the correct range is vitally important for the safe running of your hot tub and its components. So how do you raise the alkalinity when it’s low?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two ways to raise alkalinity in a hot tub: baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and soda ash (sodium carbonate). Baking soda raises alkalinity levels with minimal effect on the pH. On the other hand, soda ash raises both the alkalinity and pH, so it should only be used if both are low.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, you’ll learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before adjusting the total alkalinity (TA), make sure you know the capacity of your hot tub so you can calculate the required dosage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideal total alkalinity is between 80-150 parts per million (ppm). Ensure that the TA is in the optimal range before moving on to the pH. In some cases, achieving the right TA level may get your pH in the correct range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sodium bicarbonate, which is commonly known as baking soda (or bicarb in the UK), is one of the most efficient ways of raising alkalinity in spa water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baking soda rapidly raises alkalinity without increasing the pH too much, so use it if the alkalinity is low and the pH is within range<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baking soda is not harmful, but it can irritate the skin and eyes, so you may want to wear protective gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sodium bicarbonate has a pH of 8.4. This means that it’s only slightly higher than the pH of your spa water and is the reason why it has little effect on raising pH levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact amount of baking soda your spa needs will differ each and every time you have to raise alkalinity levels. This is because the amount required depends on the current levels of pH, TA, free chlorine, CYA, calcium hardness, TDS, and water temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, it’s better to increase the alkalinity gradually rather than adding large amounts of baking soda all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a general rule, you’ll need to use 1\/4-ounce (7g) of baking soda per 100 gallons (380 liters) of spa water. A 1\/4-ounce of baking soda in 100 gallons will raise alkalinity by approximately 10 ppm. The increase in pH is so insignificant that it cannot be measured using standard test kits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Two ways to raise alkalinity in a hot tub <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to raise alkalinity using sodium bicarbonate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What you’ll need:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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How to raise alkalinity using sodium bicarbonate:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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