We have had our 500 gal hot tub for 2 years and I keep the water chemistry in good shape as I have learned from reading this forum. But I messed up on last fill and calculated my Calcium Hardness wrong - added too much calcium increase. I realized what I had done and drained about half the water - lesson learned - I should have drained it all. After fighting with water chemistry for about a month - could not keep ph from soaring. I drained half the tub again (it's winter temps here, so I didn't want to drain it all) and cleaned all the jets and the sides of the tub. Again - still fought with water chemistry this last month - ph way too high. I would balance and the next day it would be way too high.
We scored a day above freezing a week and a half ago, so we completely drained the tub and started over. My CH = 120. Next I balanced the TA to 80. Then the ph to 7.6. I left it sit overnight and checked it the next day (wanted to be sure since I have had so many problems) and again my ph is sky high. It is way above 8.0 every day (using Taylor test kit) and I lower it using muratic acid to 7.6 every day. I keep my eye on the TA bringing that back within the 80=100 range using baking soda. The water is crystal clear - we have not sat in it since changing the water. I also have not put in any sanitizer yet.
I called the local spa place to see if they had any insight. I was told to just keep lowering the ph down to like 7.0 every day until it quits rising. Does this sound right to you all? Anyone else ever have this issue? I am at a loss.
Additionally I am really sensitive to chlorine and bromine. Would the dichlor-then-bleach method be an option for minimal skin issues?
UPDATE! Since posting this I have not made any headway. Everytime I check the ph it is over 8.0 My Taylor test kit shows bright pink - well over 8.0
I have never had issues before and just cannot understand why I am now. Please help? If it were warmer I would drain it, I am worried it may ruin my tub, but it is well below zero here every night.
