Used Stand Alone Hot Tub - working through the issues

[QuiltinMom]

We picked up a free SunDance Optima. It was throwing a FLO code error. We have eliminated that error by replacing one of the jet pumps and also the circulation pump. see original post here Hot Tub pump questions - where do I post them?

I am setting this up with a Smarter Spa SWG. Our initial fill is with our well water. I have run a round of AHHSOME cleaner, then drained and re-filled the tub. I have used my test kit and have come up with the following numbers. We filled the tub Friday night, I installed the Smarter Spa on Sunday afternoon, so it is just getting started. I put a couple ounces of 12% bleach in to give it a boost.

These number are from this morning.
FC 5.5
CH 360
TA 280
CYA 20 (or less, the dot never disappeared)
PH 7.5
CC 6

We filled with well water, obviously the CH and TA are rather high. Do I follow the target ranges for the fiberglass pools or is there different targets for a hot tub?

I am having a difficult time finding out how to lower the CH and TA. Maybe I just haven't searched enough yet.

Is there a certain order that I need to follow as far as which problem to address first?

THANKS so much!!! I want to get this tackled before any problems have a chance to rise.

 

[ajw22]

You can’t lower CH without finding new fill water with lower CH. your CH is fine.

You lower TA by lowering pH to 7.2, running the jets to aerate and raise pH to 8, then lower pH and repeat until TA is to target. It will take a while from TA 280.

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Oly]

Buy a 1 lb bag of dichlor and use very small amounts to maintain your CYA and add FC.
Switch back to liquid chlorine when your CYA is up toward 30ppm.
Small additions make big differences in spa chemistry.

 

[QuiltinMom]

You can’t lower CH without finding new fill water with lower CH. your CH is fine.

You lower TA by lowering pH to 7.2, running the jets to aerate and raise pH to 8, then lower pH and repeat until TA is to target. It will take a while from TA 280.

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com

So I don't need to bring the CH down? Do I need to be concerned about calcium build up?

I have some PH minus stuff (Sodium Bisulfate 93.3%, Sodium Sulfate 6.7%). Will that work OK to lower the PH or do I need to get something else?

How often do I need to re-check the TA if it is going to take a while? Daily?

THANKS for your response.

 

[ajw22]

Can you tell me what calcium buildup is?

PH minus is fine for a spa since you will dump the water occasionally. pH minus adds sulfates into your water that accumulate. Better to use muriatic acid to adjust pH.

Check TA every time after you adjust pH to see where you are.