kellyjo7

First, thanks for all the info on this site, the pinned threads have been helpful. I just moved into a new house with a ~500 gal 2005 Cal Spa tub. I was able to drain and refill and have been working on balancing. I'm using bromine for sanitation and the hot tub has an ozone. My hardness is normal if not a bit on the low side, forgot the exact number. I was having issues with high PH ~8-8.1 and Low TA. Like around 30-50 if not lower. My main question is that I seem to see conflicting info on here about how big of an issue low TA is. I was finally able to get PH in perfect range, but my TA is very low like around 30. I added a little TA up from spadepot.com last night after I tested the PH. I haven't got a chance to re-test, but I am concerned that it will creep my PH up again. I'm using a Taylor Bromine K-2106 test kit. My Bromine Level has been good, though it trends a bit on the high side (between 5-10, though it was actually a little low on Sunday, so I increased the dispenser and it's back in the 5-10 range, probably right around 6.5-7). It's been about a month, and I've noticed some pretty decent water loss, we use it ~4 times a week. And I'm in South Dakota so it''s usually cold. So I imagine that's the reason for the water loss. I need to top it off tonight, so this A.M. I opened up the bromine dispenser up again to about 5.5. So I guess my two questions are: 1. Is low TA okay, if I keep PH in proper range? If yes, how low is too low? 2. What do I need to consider/anticipate when topping off, I opened up the bromine because I figure when I top it off it will dilute the sanitizer, maybe this thinking is totally off. What will be the top off impact on my chemistry? I'm assuming I will kind of have to start fresh after topping off. I shock at least once a week with OxySpa MPS. Should I shock again after refilling? Thanks!