Welcome to our forum.
...I needed to add 1 tsp of pH decreaser (my pH was 7.4, which I thought was normal...
Windsurfdog,The program that we use will anticipate the ph being affected by the alk. increaser. You are right that it wouldn't affect the ph too much (that's why it said to add only one tsp. of ph down) The program only knows how balance your water perfectly.
Hey Peach, glad to hear that you are gettingon top of your tub.My Watkins dealer suggest to use Defender every other week to prevent calcium build up on in the heater, however, I belive the "Metal X" does the same thing.
Peachy, 7.4 is perfect. Why would a spa professional recommend doing anything to adjust it down? Where did he think it needed to be? Could it be he was anticipating your pH to be affected by the addition of the sodium bicarbonate which it would be but only a very small increase (not much to worry about, IMO)? Also remember that your dichlor will have a tendency to bring pH down slowly and, if using unbuffered MPS to shock, pH would drop a little quicker....all this without adding dry acid to bring pH down.As far as calcium buildup on your heater, I don't think Metal X is the answer. It may help with iron and other metals in the water but I doubt it does anything to calcium. The best way to keep calcium buildup away from everything, heater included, is to keep your water balanced.....especially pH.