25For HELP, call La-Z-Boy ® Spas at 1.800.465.2933.Water QualityNote: Perform water quality testing weekly and whenever your water is changed (orwhen your spa / hot tub is first filled).Once your spa / hot tub reaches 95ºF, properly adjust the chemistry of your spa / hottub water by testing it with good quality test kits and adjusting levels as needed.Note: Balancing and sanitization products are not included.Figure 10 – Typical Test Strip UsageTotal AlkalinityImportant: Total Alkalinity (TA) is the first parameter you should balance whenmaking routine adjustments to your water.Once your water temperature reaches 95ºF, test the total alkalinity of your spa / hot tubwater with a good quality test kit. Maintain a total alkalinity level of 80 to 120 ppm.Total alkalinity is the measure of alkaline buffers in your water. These buffers protectthe water against sudden changes in pH. Total alkalinity is considered the key to waterbalance.When the total alkalinity is too low, add sodium bicarbonate. If the total alkalinity is toohigh, you can lower it by using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.Acid Alkaline Balance (pH)Test the pH of your spa water with a good quality test kit. Maintain a pH level of 7.2 to7.8.A balanced pH promotes bathing comfort and prevents corrosion, staining, scaling, orcloudy water.If the measured pH is too low, add soda ash to the spa water. If the pH is too high, addsodium bisulfate to the spa water. Follow the directions on the manufacturer’s labeland make small changes. Circulate the water for 20 minutes before retesting.