baking soda?

[martyz4]

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.

[Brewman]

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.  

[hottubdan]

Baking soda increases total alkalinity and pH.  If TA is low, adding it is great.    If TA is high, not a good idea.

[Movinon]

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]

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]

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-)

[Spiderman]

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.

[tony]

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.

[Tman122]

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.  

[kervis]

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!

[Chas]

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-)

[martyz4]

sounds like everyone is familiar with baking soda then. thank you for all the input. i have to get this thread printed out!

[Reese]

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]

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]

 
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.