[Ph Readings Not Responsive To Chemicals]

What is the TA that you consider to be too low? If your spa already has a tendency for the pH to rise, you can have a lower TA, at least below 80, but probably not below 60. A lower TA should help reduce the tendency of the pH to rise. Also, try a target pH of 7.7 as the pH will rise less at lower TA and higher pH.

Also, what is your chlorine and shock regimen (how much, how often)?

Richard

Thanks for the response, Richard. The TA tested out at 100ppm and is supposed to be 120-150 according to the guidelines for my spa. It had been 120 ppm before I added the Ph decreaser. The Ph has been 7.8 or higher for a while, regardless of the decreaser I add.

For my chlorine and shock regimen, I add 1 cap chlorine every other week and 1 cap non-chlorine shock every week. The spa has a vision cartridge (silver) and an ozone filter. I was told this would help lessen the need for sanitizers. Should I keep trying to bring the Ph down even if the TA will go lower than recommended. Should I add decreaser every other hour or every other day until it reads properly. Thanks.

I am fascinated by your water maintenance. If you've had your tub since May and haven't had any problems with water quality, that's unreal. I know that the companies that manufacture the silver cartridges suggest low chlorine, but they usually recommend daily dosing with mps. How often do you soak and how many people usually soak? How long have you gone between water changes. Sorry to give you the 5th degree, but this is interesting.

I forgot to ask what temperature the spa should be set at when I am away on business. I have been leaving it at 99 degrees all winter, 24/7 and adding sanitizers in between trips.

[Ph Readings Not Responsive To Chemicals]

The TA recommendation of 120-150 is too high. It just causes more carbon dioxide to outgas faster when the jets are running and that causes the pH to rise. TA is essentially a measure of carbonation of the water. Don't add anything to increase the TA -- no Alkalinity Up -- unless it gets really low. You can certainly let the TA go down to 80, but could even let it go as low as 60 if necessary (IF your CYA level isn't too high -- since you only add one capful of Dichlor every other week, it's probably not very high). So yes, just keep adding the pH decreaser even if the TA goes lower. Let us know if the pH tends to rise less when you get the TA in the 60-80 range and when the pH is around 7.7 or so. You should find the tendency of the pH to rise to be significantly less at the lower TA level.

The Vision cartridge lets you have less sanitizer, but not zero sanitizer and with your regimen you've got zero sanitizer except for one or two days after you add chlorine every other week. Silver does kill bacteria, but does so slowly, which means while you are in the tub the bacteria and other pathogens you introduce can go to someone else and vice versa (or to yourself via fecal-to-oral route -- sort of like taking a bath). It's a risk -- better than not having the silver Vision cartridge at all, but still riskier than having chlorine added each day even if it's a lower amount. It's up to you, but I'd add at least 1 fluid ounce (if not 2) of unscented bleach after you get out each day (the next time you do a fresh refill of water, use Dichlor for the first week and then switch to bleach). That's less than normally recommended, but with the silver it might be enough to keep hot tub itch bacteria from growing and the chlorine level will be very low or near zero when you next get in so will meet your criteria of being nearly chlorine free. You'll probably also need to add the non-chlorine shock more frequently, at least once a week, though if your ozonator is working it should take care of oxidizing organics/ammonia.

Richard

Thanks, Richard. That is incredibly helpful. One concern is that my spa paperwork says not to use liquid chlorine or it will void the warranty. Since bleach has chlorine in it, will that pose a problem?

[Ph Readings Not Responsive To Chemicals]

What is the TA that you consider to be too low? If your spa already has a tendency for the pH to rise, you can have a lower TA, at least below 80, but probably not below 60. A lower TA should help reduce the tendency of the pH to rise. Also, try a target pH of 7.7 as the pH will rise less at lower TA and higher pH.

Also, what is your chlorine and shock regimen (how much, how often)?

Richard

Thanks for the response, Richard. The TA tested out at 100ppm and is supposed to be 120-150 according to the guidelines for my spa. It had been 120 ppm before I added the Ph decreaser. The Ph has been 7.8 or higher for a while, regardless of the decreaser I add.

For my chlorine and shock regimen, I add 1 cap chlorine every other week and 1 cap non-chlorine shock every week. The spa has a vision cartridge (silver) and an ozone filter. I was told this would help lessen the need for sanitizers. Should I keep trying to bring the Ph down even if the TA will go lower than recommended. Should I add decreaser every other hour or every other day until it reads properly. Thanks.

I am fascinated by your water maintenance. If you've had your tub since May and haven't had any problems with water quality, that's unreal. I know that the companies that manufacture the silver cartridges suggest low chlorine, but they usually recommend daily dosing with mps. How often do you soak and how many people usually soak? How long have you gone between water changes. Sorry to give you the 5th degree, but this is interesting.

Now you guys have me worried and I welcome any suggestions. The tub averages 2-3 soaks a week with a maximum of 2 different users. The instructions I received from the dealer was to use chlorine every other week and shock once a week; refill every 3-4 months. Supposedly the D1 filtration system is supposed to reduce the needed chemicals. I was told the ozone filter would kill most of the bacteria. I never thought the water quality was that bad but didn't really have much to compare it too. It has had high Ph since May.

D1 Spa Newbie

[Ph Readings Not Responsive To Chemicals]

What is the TA that you consider to be too low? If your spa already has a tendency for the pH to rise, you can have a lower TA, at least below 80, but probably not below 60. A lower TA should help reduce the tendency of the pH to rise. Also, try a target pH of 7.7 as the pH will rise less at lower TA and higher pH.

Also, what is your chlorine and shock regimen (how much, how often)?

Richard

Thanks for the response, Richard. The TA tested out at 100ppm and is supposed to be 120-150 according to the guidelines for my spa. It had been 120 ppm before I added the Ph decreaser. The Ph has been 7.8 or higher for a while, regardless of the decreaser I add.

For my chlorine and shock regimen, I add 1 cap chlorine every other week and 1 cap non-chlorine shock every week. The spa has a vision cartridge (silver) and an ozone filter. I was told this would help lessen the need for sanitizers. Should I keep trying to bring the Ph down even if the TA will go lower than recommended. Should I add decreaser every other hour or every other day until it reads properly. Thanks.

[Ph Readings Not Responsive To Chemicals]

Hello,

I have been a D1 Spa owner since May, 2007. The water where I live is very hard. The Ph readings have always been above the ideal range and do not seem impacted at all when I add capfuls of Ph decreaser. Unfortunately, when I add Ph decreaser to bring the Ph down, it ends up putting the Total Alkalinity (TA) level below the ideal range. Since I have been more aggressive recently trying to bring Ph down with Ph decreaser, the TA has become too low and the Ph is STILL too high and unchanged. I cannot figure it out and the dealer has not had any solutions.

I have tested the water with three different types of strips/drops and had it tested by local pool & spa stores, which have confirmed the high Ph. I am stuck now between needing to boost the TA while decreasing the Ph. What should I do?

D1 Newbie

p.s. I have been told to add Ph decreaser (1 capful) every other day until the Ph comes down. I have also been told to add Ph decreaser every two hours until the Ph comes down. Which is the right way to add Ph decreaser?