Spa water - alkalinity too low, how do I fix it? Desperate

[suehowlittle]

Hi everyone, can someone help me please.

I bought a Hotsprings Spa/Jacuzzi last May from Gench. They assured me that as a main dealer they would always have the required products instore.

Although we have not previously had problems, all we bought were the dipsticks and some chlor.

Now the reading tells me that the alkalinity is too low and that we have to raise it from 40ppm to 80 - 120 ppm or the spa could be damaged.

We read in the troubleshooting bit of their brochure that there is a product to raise the alkalinity, and that the dealer would have it - guess what - flipping Gench have hardly any products.

There must be a way to raise the alkalinity without doing damage to the spa, it holds about 1 + 1/3 tonne of water

Can anyone help please?

[onslow]

Hi

By my calculation you need to add around half an ounce of Bi carbonate of soda to raise your Alkalinity
to the required level. This is a surprise though as with the water here mostly you have to reduce it and the PH level.
It is Sodium Bi-carb you need though ..there are web sites to read if you google the subject..
Hope that helps

Onslow..

[suehowlittle]

Thankyou so much Onslow - I have used Bicarbonate of Soda, I added it in small increments until I got a reading of 120. Thankfully, level was corrected before the water got so corrosive that it could damage the shell of the spa. I did think Bicarb but did not have the confidence to use it.

After your suggestion to use the internet, I did - perhaps younger people would immediately Google things but my generation generally do not even think of it, anyway, you were perfectly correct with your solution.

We also are puzzled by the drop in alkalinity, we had just put about 1/6th of a ton of water in it to top it up but that, was tankered water from a well in Karsiyaka and is usually very high in alkalinity.

I am grateful, thankyou once again.

[andrew4232]

with all that bicarb it reminds of my mother and cooking her sprouts hehehe

[Rambling Rose]

Apart from that glitz, Sue, would you mind telling me how you are getting on with the Jacuzzi.

I am arthritic and I find swimming helps a lot, but space, money and principles (concern for the environment and infrastructure) prevent me installing my own pool. I am thinking a Jacuzzi might be a reasonable compromise. Any views?

[suehowlittle]

Rose, we are both arthritis sufferers, neck, elbows, knees, fingers, well just about all our joints really.

We have found the spa a marvellous hydrotherapy, in winter we crank up the heat to 36c and the heat is so comforting along with the jets.

If you would like to come and have a look at ours you would be most welcome, but you would have to do it quickly as we are leaving on 11th July and will be emptying spa on 9th.

I have never regretted having a spa rather than a swimming pool.

[Rambling Rose]

Sue : that is very kind of you. I tried to send you a PM but seems it didnt go through. I have don a reques for instructions and will be in touch

[andrew4232]

rambling rose there is a button marked PM in the posts for each person click that and just type in your message and send

[Rambling Rose]

Thanks . pm sent.