Did you know that the water balance in your spa matters for more than just your comfort and health? To ensure that your spa is always in peak condition, it’s time to look deeper into advanced spa water chemistry.
Spa chemistry is a system that goes beyond just adjusting numbers to keep the water clear, as it’s a balancing act that requires adding the correct chemicals at the right time.
To help you with that, this guide will provide you with pro-level water testing tips for long-term spa owners.
Why Spa Water Balance Matters More Than You Think
Of course, keeping the water clean and safe is essential, but hygiene and comfort are not the only things you should consider when it comes to swim spa maintenance. The chemical balance in your spa’s water also has a significant impact on the lifespan of your heaters, pumps, and more.
With imbalanced water, your spa becomes increasingly prone to corrosion or limescale build-up. Balance isn’t all you need to think about, though, as the order in which you add chemicals can also affect your treatment’s effectiveness.
Understanding the Three Pillars of Spa Water Chemistry
Before we get into the specifics, let’s quickly go over the three essential chemistry levels to watch out for: pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), and Calcium Hardness (CH).
In a nutshell, these three must be balanced to keep the corrosive or scaling properties of spa water in check. Even with a strong sanitiser like chlorine, a proper balance of these three levels will ensure that it can work at maximum effectiveness. So, how do we do that?
pH Control in Your Spa
When it comes to pH control, spa water is measured by how acidic or alkaline it is. Ideally, you’ll want your swim spa’s water to have a pH level between 7.2–7.8, which is considered slightly alkaline.
This helps minimise the formation of harmful by-products from cleaning solutions. A pH level under 7 can result in issues like corrosion or skin and eye irritation due to substances like chlorine.
On the flip side, you don’t want a pH level that’s too high either, as it can result in uncomfortable cloudy water. It will also eventually lead to the formation of scale, which can reduce circulation or even damage your spa over time.
Total Alkalinity (ppm) – The Stability Factor
Next thing to consider is total alkalinity, which keeps the water’s pH changes in check. With imbalanced alkalinity, the pH level in your spa can drastically change whenever foreign substances or objects (including people) enter the water.
Ideally, you want this to be within the 80–120 ppm range. Anything lower than 80 will result in a volatile pH level. Alternatively, it’s harder to adjust pH levels with a TA value of over 120 ppm, making scale prevention more difficult.
Calcium Hardness – Protecting Your Spa
Finally, calcium hardness is the third essential factor to consider if you want to properly take care of your spa. In simple terms, it measures the calcium content of the water.
The ideal calcium hardness is somewhere between 100–250 ppm, with the exact amount being dependent on the type of spa you have.
It’s important to maintain a proper balance of this as a low CH level leads to “soft” water, which can corrode various parts of your spa. Conversely, a high CH level can result in thick scale build-up that can block jets and pipes.
How These Elements Work Together (The Part Most Owners Miss)
Now that we’ve gone through the importance of pH, TA, and CH, it’s time to talk about how these three interact with one another.
First, the water’s pH level determines just how acidic it is and how efficient cleaning products can be. TA works to keep the pH from shifting to less-than-ideal extremes. Meanwhile, the water’s CH affects how hard it is to balance its pH levels and how corrosive it can be, or how likely it is to cause scaling.
To sum it up, think of these three as the following:
- pH levels – The foundation (Determines comfort and cleaning efficiency)
- Total Alkalinity – The stabiliser (Keeps pH in check)
- Calcium Hardness – The protector (Prevents physical damage to the spa)
The Professional Spa Water Balance Guide (Step-by-Step)
If you want to start balancing the chemicals in your water like a pro, you can definitely do so if you have all the necessary equipment. Before handling any chemicals, make sure to wear protective equipment for your hands and eyes.
With all that said, let’s start with how you can test the current chemical balance of your spa.
Step 1 – Test Your Water Properly
Before you even think about adding anything to your spa, you must first test your water. To do this properly, make sure to get some test strips or liquid test kits.
A liquid test kit offers more accuracy and is the preferred choice in water testing for pros, but strips are still a viable option as they are quick and easy to use.
Step 2 – Adjust Total Alkalinity First
Now that you’ve tested the water, work on getting the TA to ideal levels assuming that it isn’t already there. This will ensure that the pH levels will remain stable once you start making adjustments.
If your TA is too high, adding sodium bisulphate can help bring it down to the ideal level. Alternatively, if it’s too low, sodium bicarbonate will help raise it.
Step 3 – Fine-Tune pH Control
Once your TA levels are in the 80–120 ppm range, you can now gradually add a pH increaser/decreaser to the water.
Make sure that you only apply a small amount at any given time. Adding too many chemicals at once can lead to drastic changes in pH levels, which will put you back at square one.
Step 4 – Balance Calcium Hardness
After adjusting your TA and pH levels, it’s time to start adjusting your spa water’s CH if it’s too high or low. A water softener will help address a high CH level, or you can use calcium chloride if it’s too soft.
By keeping your CH level between 100–250 ppm, your spa’s shell and metal components will be protected from corrosion or blockage.
Step 5 – Final Check & Sanitisation
Finally, once everything is in order, you can now add your sanitiser. Having chemically balanced water will ensure that your sanitiser can work efficiently. Test regularly to protect your spa and ensure that the water is always clean and safe.
Common Spa Water Chemistry Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
There are plenty of mistakes that you can easily make when you’re still new to balancing water chemistry in spas. Let’s quickly go over some common examples and how you can avoid them:
- Adjusting pH before alkalinity – When you’re testing the water, pay close attention to the total alkalinity ppm first before even looking at the pH level.
- Ignoring calcium hardness – Make it a habit to specifically check your water’s CH levels every week. Even if it doesn’t require frequent changing, ignoring it for too long can potentially lead to irreversible damage.
- Overcorrecting chemicals – Always use a small amount of chemicals when making adjustments, and patiently wait for the changes to settle before adding more.
- Not allowing circulation time – Same as above, be patient whenever you make any adjustments. It takes a bit of time for chemical changes to fully reflect in your test kit.
- Infrequent testing – At the very least, test your spa at least once a week or more if you regularly use it, as these values can shift rapidly over time.
Advanced Tips for Long-Term Spa Owners
Maintaining proper balance is key to ensuring that your unit is always working as intended. Long-term spa owners will inevitably have to deal with advanced spa water chemistry, so make a habit out of it by maintaining a simple testing schedule of at least 1–2 times a week.
You need to be aware of the hidden factors causing chemical imbalances in your spa. For instance, constant aeration from jets or from simply splashing around in the spa can cause the water’s pH levels to gradually drift upwards.
Where you live will also determine the water’s CH level. Since each Australian state has varying averages of water hardness levels, you may have to adjust regularly depending on your location. For instance, the tap water in Perth and Adelaide tends to be much harder than in Melbourne or Hobart.
Australia’s constantly shifting weather also warrants more frequent checking and chemical adjustments. This is especially true for hot seasons, as heat can result in drastic pH increases and faster formation of limescale in and around a spa.
Finally, you’ll have to drain some or all of the water every few months. Spas accumulate dissolved substances over time, and this results in cloudy, irritating water. Eventually, chemicals won’t do much to address these issues, and only refilling and re-balancing the water will fix it.
How to Maintain Perfect Spa Water Balance Year-Round
To maintain the perfect chemical balance in your spa’s water at all times, you should develop a care routine that you can consistently carry out all year round. Here’s one that you can follow:
- Weekly routine:
- Test your water at least once a week, as chemical balance can quickly shift over just a few days.
- Make minor adjustments to maintain balanced pH, TA, and CH values.
- Monthly routine:
- Every month, you should perform a deep clean of your spa’s filters to dislodge any substances that may be causing chemical imbalances.
- Every 3–4 months:
- Make sure to partially or fully drain and refill your spa every 3–4 months. This is because, over time, spa water will accumulate dissolved substances that reduce the effectiveness of your sanitiser.
When to Get Expert Help
Even if you can maintain a consistent routine, there are hidden issues that may cause problems like persistent cloudy water and chemical imbalances in your spa’s water.
If this happens, you’ll need to get help from a professional, as the problem may be caused by plumbing issues or even normal wear and tear. Perhaps your filter is worn out, or there’s a build-up of biofilm somewhere in the unit.
For Just Spas units, our team can help diagnose and fix issues specific to your model, especially if your regular routine just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, advanced spa water chemistry doesn’t have to be complicated. You just have to understand that it’s a system that requires regular check-ups and minor adjustments.
Leave the guesswork behind and build a consistent routine of testing, even if it’s only once a week. As long as you keep all of these tips in mind, you’ll be managing your spa’s water like a pro.
Having issues with your spa’s water? Get in touch with our team at Just Spas or check out our range of spa care solutions at your nearest store.
