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Soda ash is sodium carbonate--it affects pH more than TA though it will affect TA to a very small degree. On the other hand, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate--it affects TA more than pH though it does affect pH to a degree as well. In comparing the two, baking soda affects pH more than soda ash affects TA.Looking at how low your pH is and how not so very low your TA is the reasoning behind my recommendations to you. Soda ash (generically called "spa up") can be purchased from your spa dealer, a pool dealer, a big box store or from our favorite online spa chem pusherman... I suggest you get some in order to affect you water properly. Good luck!
Thank you windsurfdog...I have some Leisure Time "Liquid Spa Up" that says it raises pH and TA. It says it is Potassium Carbonate......so that is NOT the same thing as the "Spa Up" you are talking about, right?
if you want MLG, i have a list of all the chems for your tub that you can purchase from the grocery store...
In the case where the readings are more than +/-30ppm of the expected TA reading (per the FAQ), please ensure that the procedure you use follows in this order: 1. turn meter on, 2. press the start button on the meter and dip the test strip into sample simultaneously, 3. shake the excess water from the strip, 4. place the strip onto the window by ensuring the first pad is at the top of the window and then laying the rest of the strip down onto the window, laying completely flat.
Doc, per your request: Both bottles of test strips that you sent me were labeled 6355 exp. 2008/10. I have not done a comparison between strips from each bottle. On a separate note, FYI - Here is a message that I received from the manufacturer:I was already following these steps, so something else is wrong here. I'll keep experimenting to try and narrow it down.