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Author Topic: baking soda?  (Read 35733 times)

martyz4

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baking soda?
« on: February 08, 2007, 02:04:20 pm »
has anyone tried a handful of baking soda in their spa along with the bromine floaty? i was told by a couple of people they do this to make the water nice and soft. does it sound feasible? appreciate any advice you can give me.

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baking soda?
« on: February 08, 2007, 02:04:20 pm »

Brewman

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2007, 02:14:43 pm »
Baking soda will raise the alkalinity of your water.  It's what the alk up products are made of (sodium bicarbonate).  I use it to occasionally boost my alk if it drifts lower. It doesn't seem to do anything special to the water.  
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hottubdan

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2007, 02:15:28 pm »
Baking soda increases total alkalinity and pH.  If TA is low, adding it is great.   :D  If TA is high, not a good idea. :P
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Movinon

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2007, 02:41:31 pm »
What's the best formula for adding baking soda -- say if your ph is 7.0 in a 400 gallon tub, how much bs should be added?

tony

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2007, 02:49:05 pm »
Quote
What's the best formula for adding baking soda -- say if your ph is 7.0 in a 400 gallon tub, how much bs should be added?

I've never seen a formula for baking soda to raise pH, only TA.  I add a tablespoon at a time and retest.  In my 485 gallons, one tablespoon will generally bring my pH from 7.0 to 7.5.

Chas

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2007, 03:30:41 pm »
Be sure to allow things to settle down for several hours before retesting. Sodium Bicarbonate or Sdium Bisulfate will cause a drastic swing in pH and TA which will even out in about three or four hours.

If I am double checking, I usually test the following day.

 8-)
« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 03:36:39 pm by Chas »
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Spiderman

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2007, 03:30:43 pm »
Quote
What's the best formula for adding baking soda -- say if your ph is 7.0 in a 400 gallon tub, how much bs should be added?

I was told by the delivery crew to add one "capful" per "square" on the test strips to bring it up.  We only have a 225 gallon tub and one capful usually does the trick.  You'll have to add it until it comes up.
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tony

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2007, 04:29:28 pm »
Quote
Be sure to allow things to settle down for several hours before retesting. Sodium Bicarbonate or Sdium Bisulfate will cause a drastic swing in pH and TA which will even out in about three or four hours.

If I am double checking, I usually test the following day.

 8-)

Excellent point (naturally).

I usually test the next day and adjust if necessary.  So, only one tablespoon per day. ;)
« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 04:31:12 pm by tony »

Tman122

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2007, 07:48:56 pm »
Heck it takes me 3-5 OZs. of Baking soda per water change to raise it from 6.8-7.0 and maintain it during 3-4 months.  
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kervis

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2007, 08:38:49 pm »
from the directions on the back of the Leisure Time Spa Up bottle (sodium bicarbonate):

if pH is  6.8-7.2      add 1 oz. (2 tbs) per 500 gallons
          <6.8           add  2 oz. (4 tbs) per 500 gallons


Spa up should be used when pH is below 7.2
It should be raised to between 7.2-7.8

Dissolve it first in a bucket, then add to the hot tub

Retest after 3 hours


I just keep re-filling my bottle with baking soda!
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Chas

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2007, 08:47:26 pm »
Quote
Heck it takes me 3-5 OZs. of Baking soda per water change to raise it from 6.8-7.0 and maintain it during 3-4 months.  

I have to add four to six ounces of spa down every time I change my water. About the same when I fill a tub on the showroom floor.

I throw in four ounces - which is about the most you would want to add at one time - then I check the next day to see if I need the other two ounces.

I 'spose I should be adding 3 ounces max - I think it says that somewhere...

 8-)
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martyz4

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2007, 01:58:14 pm »
sounds like everyone is familiar with baking soda then. thank you for all the input. i have to get this thread printed out! :)

Reese

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2007, 02:45:38 pm »
If you haven't already checked it out, Doc's site: rhtubs.com has a bunch of articles on water management issues like this, complete with dosage charts and background info.  

PotomacG

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2007, 03:36:12 pm »
Quote
sounds like everyone is familiar with baking soda then. thank you for all the input. i have to get this thread printed out! :)

I bought a container of TA Increaser (Baking Soda) which has a nifty chart printed on the side (telling you how many Tbs to add to raise TA so many points for so many gallons).  I refil it with Arm & Hammer whenever it needs refilling.  

I still buy and use pH UP (Sodium Carbonate I believe) for when my TA is OK.

Chad

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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2007, 03:56:16 pm »
Quote
 
I still buy and use pH UP ([glow]Sodium Carbonate [/glow]I believe) for when my TA is OK.
Correct, it's also called Soda Ash.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2007, 03:57:38 pm by WHY_NOT »





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Re: baking soda?
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2007, 03:56:16 pm »

 

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