Water chemistry is how balanced the chemicals in your hot tub. It is necessary to maintain a safe and clean environment when soaking. It involves maintaining pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer.
Alkalinity is a vital aspect of hot tub water balancing. It allows your spa to buffer pH levels for the most comfortable soak.
What is Alkalinity in a Hot Tub
Total alkalinity in a hot tub is when the water can neutralize acids to prevent pH changes. When pH is high or low, it can make your hot tub soak uncomfortable or unsafe.
High or low alkalinity can affect the look of your hot tub and how it affects your skin. Both are avoidable with proper water care.
Ideal Hot Tub Alkalinity Range
The ideal Beachcomber Hot Tub alkalinity range 100 – 120 ppm. Anything above or below this can result in skews in your hot tubs pH. It is important to know the range for your own hot tub, whether it is a Beachcomber or not. This will ensure you are balancing it when it is necessary.
This level is necessary for several reasons:
- Prevents corrosion of metal parts
- Avoids scaling because of high pH
- Ensures sanitizers can work effectively
An important tip: Always balance total alkalinity before adjusting pH or other chemistry.
Signs Alkalinity is Off
There are ways to tell if your alkalinity is high or low:
High Alkalinity:
- Your water will be cloudy
- It is difficult to adjust your pH – it can remain high even with treatment
- There will be a formation of scale on surfaces and equipment
Low Alkalinity
- Your hot tub water will become corrosive
- The pH will drop and fluctuate easily
- Your hot tub components are at risk of damage
Testing Hot Tub Water Alkalinity
The Beachcomber’s owners guide outlines the best way to test hot tub alkalinity.
- Use test strips 2-3 times a week or after heavy use.
- Ensure you test hot tub alkalinity first, then ph, and then sanitizer levels.
This is vital to ensure you are formulating the best way forward for water treatment.
How to Balance Alkalinity
- Raising Alkalinity – use Resist as described on the bottle.
- Lowering Alkalinity – use Relent as described on the bottle
Does Alkalinity Affect Other Water Chemicals?
Alkalinity has a direct effect on pH levels. As alkalinity raises, your hot tub water pH level can become resistant to change. As it drops, pH will become unstable. Improper alkalinity can also impact how well your sanitizer works. This can affect how it works to kill bacteria in the water. This only emphasises the need for balanced alkalinity.
Summary of Tips and Tricks
- Always test alkalinity before pH – it sets the foundation for water balance.
- Range = 100–120 ppm for Beachcomber Hot Tubs.
- Use Resist to raise and Relent to lower alkalinity – follow label instructions.
- Test 2–3 times per week, or after heavy usage, with test strips or kits.
- Cloudy water? Alkalinity might be too high – check levels and treat accordingly.
- Corrosion or sharp pH swings? Low alkalinity could be the culprit.
- Small adjustments go a long way – add chemicals gradually and retest.
- Sanitizers work best when alkalinity is balanced – don’t waste product!
- Track your water test results in a log or app to spot trends early.
- Never mix pH up and down products – always treat separately and cautiously.
Ensuring your hot tub alkalinity is balanced is vital for the performance and protection of your hot tub. Use testing strips regularly and make note of any physical changes to your water. Ensure a comfortable and enjoyable soak for everyone – shop hot tub water care now!
