Hot tub chemicals and alkalinity

Considering alkalinity is a good first step in taking a brief gander at the science behind Leisure Time Chemicals. Before you even measure the pH balance in your hot tub, you need to know its total alkalinity. What is alkalinity though? Here's a little primer in spa chemicals:

• First of all, alkalinity is the measure of how well a solution can neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate.
• The equivalence point is also known as the stoichiometric point.
• When something called a titrant is added in an equal amount to the analyte present in the sample being tested, you have reached this point.
• A titrant and an analyte are the two components of any titration during which the number of moles becomes equal.

It can make the head spin, can't it?! All you really need to know is that alkalinity is where it all starts. Once you know the total alkalinity of your hot tub, chemicals available through Leisure Time, specifically Spa Up and Spa Down will help you make the necessary adjustments.

Once you know your total alkalinity and adjust it, you can get a more relevant pH reading and use the necessary chemicals. PH measures the acid or base levels of your water. Again, Leisure Time chemicals will be able to adjust the pH once you've measured it. The ideal reading is between 7.2 and 7.8. An interesting side note is that the Earth's oceans have a surface pH of approximately 8.104. The acidification of the oceans caused by their uptake of anthropogenic (caused by human activities) carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has caused the levels to drop about .075 since 1751, a change that scientists believe will have adverse effects on calcifying organisms like coral. Unfortunately, Leisure Time hot tub chemicals can't fix that problem, but they can help you with your hot tub, and Spacare.com is here to help you with any questions or concerns about you hot tub covers, chemicals and more.