| Remember: Maintaining water balance is critical to | | | | very acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being very |
| ensuring the effective action of your pool | | | | alkaline. It is essential to maintain spa water within |
| chemicals, it should be checked regularly and, | | | | the 7.2 - 7.6 range which, being slightly alkaline, will |
| certainly, every time you top up or refill your pool | | | | protect equipment from corrosion and provide the |
| or spa. Before adding swimming pool chemical | | | | optimum conditions for bather comfort and |
| treatments it is important that you read and | | | | sanitiser efficiency. |
| familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa | | | | - Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 - 7.6. |
| pool and support equipment. Good water | | | | - If the pH is below 7.2 use pH Plus products |
| circulation and filtration are essential to achieving a | | | | - If pH levels exceed 7.6 use pH Minus products |
| safe and clear bathing environment. The first step | | | | Note: pH can be difficult to control in spas as the |
| is to ensure good water balance, which will create | | | | system water turns over quickly, is highly agitated |
| the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical | | | | and operates at higher temperature than |
| efficiency and equipment protection. The main | | | | swimming pools. All these factors will cause the |
| criteria affecting water balance are calcium | | | | pH to fluctuate. |
| hardness, pH and Total Alkalinity. | | | | As a consequence rises in pH will lead to the |
| Calcium hardness | | | | performance of chlorine (HOCl) sanitisers to drop |
| Hardness is the measurement of calcium salts in | | | | dramatically. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitiser |
| the swimming pool or spa water and this will vary | | | | will be required. This can be avoided by using |
| depending where you live. Low calcium hardness | | | | Bromine Tablets, Bromine (HOBr) is a highly |
| levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the | | | | effective sanitiser, and it is stable over a much |
| materials of construction. High calcium hardness | | | | wider pH range than chlorine treatments. It is also |
| levels (hard water) often leads to the formation | | | | less volatile than chlorine and will remain in the spa |
| of scale in pipe work and equipment. | | | | for a longer period reducing chemical usage and |
| - Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 | | | | ensuring hygienic conditions prevail. |
| to 200 ppm (mg/l). | | | | Total Alkalinity |
| - When the level is below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply | | | | Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer to prevent |
| Hardness Plus products | | | | pH change. If TA levels are too low the pH will |
| - When the level exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply | | | | fluctuate widely. |
| a Scale InhibitorpH | | | | High levels of TA will not only affect water clarity, |
| The pH scale has a range of 1 - 14 with 1 being | | | | but also make pH adjustments extremely difficult. |