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pH - Alkalinity
It is important to maintain the proper balance of both pH and Alkalinity levels in your water before adjusting sanitizer levels. Although pH and Alkalinity are two separate factors in water chemistry (that should never be confused), Thermo Spas makes it easy to adjust both with these two revolutionary products.

The acceptable Alkalinity level must range between 80-150 ppm (parts per million). Alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to neutralize acid and keep the pH within the proper range. Improper levels of Alkalinity can cause calcium deposits or scale to form on the spa and its equipment. Also, if the Total Alkalinity is too high or too low, it will be difficult to maintain the pH with the desired range. Measure and adjust the Alkalinity level first, before attempting to fine-tune the pH level of the water.

The acceptable pH level must range between 7.2 and 7.8. Improper levels of pH not only cause skin and eye irritation, but can also oxidize the metal components in your spa's equipment and erode your hot tub's plumbing. The main advantage to these remarkable products is that the pH level will generally follow the Alkalinity level. Therefore, only a small amount is needed to adjust the pH, once the proper Alkalinity level has been achieved.

It's a good idea to keep both pH/Alkalinity Up and pH/Alkalinity Down chemical mixtures on hand, but in most cases, only one of these products is needed regularly to balance the water in your hot tub.

Test Strips for sanitizer chemicals will measure both pH and Alkalinity.

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Soft Water
Many areas of the country have soft water that is so low in calcium that the water will try to satisfy its natural demand for minerals by eating away at your spa's metal heating element and plumbing components. This will not only corrode and damage these parts of your spa, it may also stain your water and shell surface, and cause instant foaming. Adding Liquid Calcium* to your hot tub's water will raise the "hardness" level of your water and prevent damage to your hot tub spa.

Water hardness is the total amount of calcium in water, and is measured in parts per million (ppm). The ideal range for calcium hardness is between 200 and 400 ppm.

It is important to note that in order to achieve suitable hardness levels, your spa water should first be properly pH balanced because low hardness could indicate improper water balance. Ideally, the Total Alkalinity should measure between 80 and 150 ppm, and pH levels should measure between 7.2 and 7.8. Deviations from these suggested ranges can cause the formation of calcium deposits or excessive foaming.

Liquid Calcium* concentrate is the convenient way to bring water hardness up into the proper range. Just 1/2 ounce of Liquid Calcium added to 250 gallons of water will raise the hardness by 7 ppm.

If you think that you may have soft water (low calcium), measure the hardness of your hot tub's water to maintain proper balance.
Water Hardness Test Strips

* Note: Liquid Calcium cannot be used in spas with the ThermoEase System.

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Difficult Water
Some water systems may contain high amounts of metals that can stain or discolor your spa's surface. Other areas have hard water* (high amounts of calcium) that can cause oxidizing and scaling on the shell's surface, and corroding of the heater element. Thermo Spas offers two different products that work to sequester and isolate any minerals or metals in your hot tub's water. They protect your shell from staining or scaling, while removing any discoloration from the water that may be caused by excess minerals.

Stain & Scale Preventer controls problems caused by high amounts of metals, and it inhibits the formation of rusty brown, black, or green water and cloudy precipitates in hot tub water. Most colored water problems and stains are due to the presence of metallic impurities, such as iron, copper and magnesium salts. These impurities may be present in the water used to fill the hot tub spa, or they may develop over time from the corrosive action of acidic water (low pH) on metal pipes and plumbing equipment.

Chlorine, in the natural exposure of spa water to air, oxidizes dissolved metals and minerals and causes them to precipitate (fall out of solution and become visible). This produces unsightly stains on spa surfaces and can cause colored or cloudy water or annoying residues.

Stain & Scale Preventer helps to eliminate these problems by combining with the metallic and mineral impurities to keep them dissolved and invisible. This should be used once a week by people who have high amounts of metal impurities in their water.

Protection Plus is an exclusive Thermo Spas product, and it has everything described above in Stain & Scale Preventer, along with the addition of a powerful clarifier. It's a high-power, super-concentrated polymer designed for those whose water has a very high mineral content. It is a stain and scale inhibitor that also clarifies your spa's water in one easy step. It clears cloudy water quickly, increases filter performance, and will not affect the chemical balance in your spa water. Add a small amount each week to your spa, and your water will stay clear, clean, and protected.

Protection Plus is very highly recommended for use in all water conditions by our in-house hot tub water experts.

*Please Note: Very hard water must be softened before it is added to your hot tub because there is no way to remove all of the minerals. Never bypass your water softener system (if you use one) while you are filling your spa.

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Foam
Foam can build up in your spa during heavy usage because of soap residue on bathing suits. It can also be caused by residues from shampoo, body oils, or cosmetic products. Just by adding a single, small capful of Foam Away, you can easily control this problem, allowing you to enter your spa's water without a second thought.

Foam Away is an exclusive formula that breaks up existing foam in spas, hot tubs, and whirlpools, and may be used whenever troublesome, unsightly foam develops. It may also be used as a preventative to safely keep foam from forming on the surface of your spa's water.

Quickly eliminates foaming and is compatible with other water treatment chemicals.

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Oils & Organics
Body oils and lotions, grease from cosmetics, and other organic compounds can build up in your hot tub water over time, and these are not affected by sanitizers. These organics can be seen as an oily film on the surface of your hot tub's water, and they will create lines of scum around the edges of your spa's shell if left alone.

Natural & Clear is a natural enzyme solution that breaks down and devours oils and organic compounds that sanitizers cannot destroy. Because it dissolves the organics, it rids the acrylic shell of the unsightly scum lines that build up just above the edge of the water's surface.

It emulsifies and biodegrades organic contaminates as soon as they enter your spa, so the water is kept clear and odor free, with no discomfort to the hot tub user. It also removes organics before they can interfere with sanitizer performance. This boost in sanitizer effectiveness keeps spas and hot tubs safe, while bather comfort is greatly improved.

Unlike other enzyme products, this may be used with spa ozonators.

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Hot Tub Chemicals from Thermo Spas
All hot tub chemicals from Thermo Spas are manufactured specifically to be compatible with one another, and are balanced to match the components and conditions found in its hot tubs. The concentrations are designed to be the most cost-effective and efficient possible in order to optimize the quantity of chemicals required to ensure your safety, as well as protect the life of your spa.

Working closely with the chemical manufacturers gives Thermo Spas direct feedback and guarantees that the latest chemical technology is always included in its hot tub chemicals. You are always assured that Thermo Spas hot tub chemicals are the safest and best balanced in the industry.

Please be sure to read the labels on the products and follow the directions carefully. Also, never "mix-and-match" Thermo Spas chemicals with other brands due to the possibility of adverse toxic effects from incompatible chemical mixtures.

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