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I use a Taylor test kit for all testing. My dealer said that the pH will increase higher for some people... chemicals in the body maybe? Is it safe on the heater componants to lower the CH below 150 in order to use the pH stabalizer?
I have learned here not to rely on pH readings immediately after using the tub, as the aeration of the jets, etc, affects pH. If I do nothing and wait a few hours, it comes down.Contrary to Tileman's statement, I find that baking soda increases my pH as much as it does my TA, assuming that my pH is not already above about 7.8. It is frustrating.With *high CH you'll get scaling/deposits; with low CH you can have erosion/etching. I think recommended CH levels are 150-400. With harder water, you can have scale formation.I have not seen too many fans of pH lock here. I'd try to first measure your pH before using the tub, and perhaps it is not as all over the place as you think.
However the erosion /etching thing I'm not to sure about, I'm kinda in the school that it happens to concrete/grout/masonary tubs and pools but PVC/Acylic/SS heater, I dout it. Some still say it's important on modern hot tub/spas but I have never worried about it. Scale formation yes but etching? So I ould think to low would not matter but to high may?
QuoteI have learned here not to rely on pH readings immediately after using the tub, as the aeration of the jets, etc, affects pH. If I do nothing and wait a few hours, it comes down.Contrary to Tileman's statement, I find that baking soda increases my pH as much as it does my TA, assuming that my pH is not already above about 7.8. It is frustrating.With *high CH you'll get scaling/deposits; with low CH you can have erosion/etching. I think recommended CH levels are 150-400. With harder water, you can have scale formation.I have not seen too many fans of pH lock here. I'd try to first measure your pH before using the tub, and perhaps it is not as all over the place as you think.I agree with Anne. I find my PH and TA go up together with the use of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)However the erosion /etching thing I'm not to sure about, I'm kinda in the school that it happens to concrete/grout/masonary tubs and pools but PVC/Acylic/SS heater, I dout it. Some still say it's important on modern hot tub/spas but I have never worried about it. Scale formation yes but etching? So I ould think to low would not matter but to high may?
As far as the etching goes, I believe that you guys are right: it is supposed to be a plaster/concrete/etc issue, but since my manual warns against too low a CH level, and soft water is not recommended, I figured that there were still ceramic parts in the heater or something that could get etched. No personal knowledge, though.As for baking soda's effect on pH, I understand that it is *supposed to affect TA a lot more than pH but here's my experience: I looked over my log book (yep, recorded for learning purposes!) and on average I'd see my TA increase about 10 for every TBSP baking soda added. This is a rough estimate, but now if I want my TA to go from 70 to 100, for example, I add 3 TBSP. The increase in pH is not so predictable, but it is almost always at least 0.2 units to 0.4 units up adding 2-6 TBSP. Now, that is not a huge change, but it is still significant. In hind site, I think there must have been other factors, too, since there were a few times that I added 4-6 TBSP and the pH went for 7.0 to 8.0. This is all with a Taylor kit, BTW.
QuoteHowever the erosion /etching thing I'm not to sure about, I'm kinda in the school that it happens to concrete/grout/masonary tubs and pools but PVC/Acylic/SS heater, I dout it. Some still say it's important on modern hot tub/spas but I have never worried about it. Scale formation yes but etching? So I ould think to low would not matter but to high may?Water with low pH (elevated acidity) would be more than happy to attack the metal in your pumps and heater...possibly seals as well. This is why the recommended RANGE for pH is 7.4-7.6. If there were no problems with pH being too low, there would not be a range consisting of upper and lower limits. Ignore low pH and pay....