This document discusses the key components to balancing spa water: pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and TDS. It states that pH is the most important to keep in range to allow other chemicals to work properly and reduce skin irritation. It provides information on testing each component and how to adjust levels if they are too low or high using various SpaGuard products. It recommends testing pH weekly and other components monthly with a water analysis to maintain clear, balanced spa water.

1. SC101: SPA BALANCING
SMART START Pool School

2. BALANCING?
➤ When we talk about balancing your spa, we’re talking about more than
just adding sanitizer and shocking it; there are other key components
to water care that you should measure and adjust to ensure crystal-
clear water.
➤ Other than your sanitizer level, these are the primary components of
balancing:
➤ pH
➤ Total alkalinity
➤ Calcium hardness
➤ TDS
➤ Of these four, you only need to test pH at home; you can test the rest
at The Pool & Spa House as part of a comprehensive water analysis.

3. PH
➤ Of all balancing components, pH
is the most important; keeping
your pH in range will let your
other chemicals work their best
and reduce the chance of skin
irritation or dryness.
➤ Low pH will burn up your
sanitizer faster and cause red,
itchy skin; you can raise pH using
SpaGuard® pH Increaser.
➤ High pH will make your sanitizer
sluggish and ineffective as well as
cause dry skin; you can lower pH
using SpaGuard® pH Decreaser.

4. TOTAL ALKALINITY
➤ Alkalinity serves as a buffer for
your pH; when alkalinity is in
range, it helps to keep your pH
in range.
➤ Low alkalinity will result in pH
bounce, making it difficult to
maintain the right pH. You can
raise alkalinity with SpaGuard®
Total Alkalinity Increaser.
➤ High alkalinity will result in
pH that is hard to adjust when
out of range. You can lower
alkalinity with SpaGuard® pH
Decreaser or fresh water.

5. CALCIUM HARDNESS
➤ Having just the right amount of
calcium in your spa will protect
your equipment and prevent
suds.
➤ Low calcium hardness can
result in equipment corrosion,
leading to a costly repair. You
can raise calcium hardness with
SpaGuard Calcium Increaser.
➤ High calcium hardness can lead
to scaling, causing equipment
to break down. You can lower
calcium hardness with fresh
water.

6. SPA SENTRY
➤ To make spa care more
manageable, Spa Sentry can be
added at startup to control
pH; Spa Sentry will also take
the place of calcium in the
water, eliminating the need for
Calcium Increaser.
➤ If Spa Sentry wears off before
it’s time to drain your spa, you
can reapply Spa Sentry; the
water specialists at The Pool
& Spa House will advise you if
you need to reapply Spa
Sentry.

7. TDS
➤ TDS, or “total dissolved solids,” is a measure of all the “stuff”
dissolved in your water:
➤ Chemicals
➤ Bather waste, like sweat and dead skin cells
➤ Environmental waste, like pollen and leaves
➤ While TDS starts low, it increases over time; once it passes a certain
threshold, it can make balancing your spa and maintaining clear
water difficult.
➤ To lower TDS, add fresh water; a total drain and refill of your spa
should be done approximately every 3-4 months, depending on size
and usage. Refer to the Draining & Refilling part of “Intro to Spa
Care” to figure out how often you should drain your spa.

8. WHEN SHOULD I TEST?
➤ You should check your pH, along with your sanitizer, at least
weekly; pH is more likely to move in spas—particularly spas
not using Spa Sentry—and catching and adjusting pH early
will decrease your chance of spa downtime.
➤ Check your alkalinity, calcium, and TDS levels monthly with a
comprehensive water analysis at The Pool & Spa House; your
water care specialist will advise you on how to adjust these
levels, if needed.
➤ If you prefer to test at home, test and adjust alkalinity,
calcium, and TDS monthly.

9. CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed the activity!