February 23rd, 2021 by
If you have a hot tub or pool, you will know that keeping the water balanced and at safe levels is a vital part of hot tub maintenance. You will also be aware that pH levels are very important, but you can’t expect to achieve the right pH levels if you’re not monitoring the Total Alkalinity (TA).
What is Total Alkalinity?
Total Alkalinity, commonly known as TA, is the measurement of all alkaline substance dissolved in the water. TA acts as a buffer for the pH level and helps to keep it stable. Getting pH levels right starts with monitoring and adjusting TA. The ideal TA level is between 80ppm (parts per million) – 120ppm.
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Getting the TA right is important for a number of reasons:
- It prevents rapid pH changes and stabilises the pH in the water
- TA that is too low can corrode metal, cause staining, turn the water green, and become irritable to the eyes
- TA that is too high can turn the water cloudy, cause scaling of the water surface, and make chlorine lose its efficiency as a sanitiser
What to do if the TA is not right
You can measure TA using a TA test strip. High alkalinity can be caused by adding too many chemicals, the presence of bacteria, bodily substances such as sweat or toiletries/cosmetics, or water hardness. Low TA could be caused by too much alkalinity reducer, excessive rain, and bodily substances.
If your TA is outside the desired 80-120ppm level, then you will need to adjust it before you can hope to get your pH levels right (that’s why you should do this first). If TA is too high or too low, you can adjust it by adding the appropriate substances to the water.
To increase alkalinity, where levels are too low, use an alkalinity increaser. You can use a hot tub or pool-specific product that does exactly this, or you can use standard sodium bicarbonate, which is the active ingredient in these products.
To decrease alkalinity, where levels are too high, use an alkalinity decreaser. This will be an acidic chemical to bring the alkalinity down. You can use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or dry acid (sodium bisulphate), which comes in granular form.
Gradually does it
Unfortunately, adjusting alkalinity is not a quick job. Whether raising or lowering the level, you will need to add the appropriate substances a little at a time, allow them to take effect, and then re-test until the desired level is achieved. This can take several days, or even longer if the levels are significantly out.
Once TA is at the right level, you can then move on to your pH levels, knowing that these will remain much more stable and less at risk of pH bounce.
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