Dont quite understand whats going on but when I test the water using a test strip, the pH is low (around 6.7) but the ppm Total alkalinity is quite high (around 140). Doesnt high pH mean its more alkaline? Does anyone have any ideas why the pH saying its low when the total alkalinity is high? " title="Confused" /> Thanks very much. Cheers

By the way, I used soda ash to try and increase the pH but all it did was increase the total alkalinity which is now quite high but hasnt really affected the pH. Do I add more or does it take time for the pH to increase (I waited a day before I re-tested).

Thanks

NOTE: ALWAYS ADD CHEMICALS TO WATER, NEVER ADD WATER TO CHEMICALS!!

Hi there - a commonly confused issue!

PH and TA are different.

pH affects the acidity of the water - acid / alkaline (essintial for the safety of users - if the pH is incorrect then the chlorine or bromine cant do its job, no matter how much is in there)

TA affects if the water is corrosive or scale forming (affects the lifspan of the heater, jet bearings etc)

Ironically, while you use different chemicals to raise the pH and TA, you use the same one, but in a different way to reduce them both!

To lower the pH:

Add pH Minus by adding a capful (or whatever the required dose is depending on water volume) to a large bucket of water, and gently trickling it into the water with the pumps on, trying to spread it out as much as possible.

To Lower the TA:

(WARNING: This procedure involves making a very concentrated, corrosive solution - be careful and follow the precautions below)

You add the same dose as above, but add pH minus to a very small amount of water, (say 10ml of chemical to 100ml or about a half a mug-full of water) in a plastic container. Carefully stir with a plastic stick until fully dissolved. Then make sure ALL the pumps are off, and the water is perfectly still. leaning over to the centre of the pool, slowly lower the vessel into the water, trying to disturb the water as little as possible. The idea is to form a concentrated ball of chemical in the centre of the tub that slowly burns its way outwards. Make sure the pumps will not come on by turning off the power, and leave for an hour or so. Then re-test and repeat as required.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE DONE UNLESS YOU ARE WEARING THE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE CLOTING - GOOGLES, GLOVES AND APRON ARE ADVISED!

Its not normally necessary unless you have very odd water in your area, or have put too much TA+ in the pool.

I am having high ph and low total alkalinity issues and the more I have asked from different dealers I get different answers, So will someone please tell me what EXACTLY what I need to add or why I keep getting this issue. I drained the spa a week ago today for having the same issue and tried what I was told to do, but that didn't work. So we decided to drain it and started over and it has been good for one week, but now having the same issue again. It is a Cal Spa 440 gal tub. We have used it every day for the last week and it has been fine. I have tested it everyday and today I am getting the same as I did before high ph and low alkalinity. the Bromine Chlorine is also high now. I have all of the bottles ph decreaser & increaser, alk up and down, Bromine Tablets, metal and stain control (which I did when refilled the first day), Shock, etc. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST I ADD??? ANY ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!! " title="Laughing" />

Aeration would give you that problem, and is a common issue in spas. Turn off all your air intakes (small knobs around the top of the tub) so that the jets are not constantly blowing small bubbles into the water.