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Leisure Time Calcium Booster | Hardness Increaser

SKU: 22330
$12.99

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Pickup available at Leisure Time Inc. - Idaho Falls

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Description

Leisure Time Calcium Booster is a calcium hardness increaser formulated for spas and hot tubs. It raises the calcium hardness level of your spa water into the safe range, protecting against the two problems that low-calcium water causes: foaming and equipment corrosion. The fast-dissolving formula mixes in quickly with the jets running, and a measured dose moves hardness predictably toward the 150–400 ppm target range.

Calcium hardness is the most overlooked of the four core water-balance readings — most owners watch sanitizer and pH closely while ignoring hardness entirely. That's a mistake. Water that's too soft (low in calcium) is chemically "hungry" — it tries to take calcium from wherever it can find it, which means leaching it out of your spa's equipment. Soft water etches plaster and acrylic surfaces, corrodes metal heater elements and jet hardware, and is one of the leading causes of persistent foaming that no amount of defoamer can permanently fix. Soft fill water is especially common for owners using water softeners, well water, or municipal supplies in soft-water regions.

Calcium Booster corrects the problem at its source. By raising calcium hardness into the proper range, the water becomes chemically "satisfied" — it stops pulling calcium from your equipment, foaming subsides, and the corrosive etching stops. Maintaining hardness in the target range is one of the simplest ways to extend the working life of the most expensive components in your spa, and a single 32 oz bottle treats a standard residential spa for an extended period.

Pro Tip: If your spa foams persistently and defoamer only fixes it temporarily, test your calcium hardness before reaching for more Foam Down. Low calcium (below 150 ppm) is one of the most common root causes of chronic foaming — and no amount of foam suppressant will permanently fix a foam problem that's actually a hardness problem. Raising calcium into the 150–250 ppm range with Calcium Booster often eliminates recurring foam entirely, addressing the cause instead of chasing the symptom.

Brand

Leisure Time®

What's in the Box
  • (1) Leisure Time Calcium Booster — 32 fl. oz. (1 quart) calcium hardness increaser
  • Child-resistant cap with integrated pour spout
  • Dosing chart and application directions printed on the bottle label
Key Features
  • Raises calcium hardness into the protective 150–400 ppm range
  • Prevents equipment corrosion — stops soft water from leaching calcium out of heaters, pumps, and metal hardware
  • Eliminates a leading cause of foaming — corrects the low-calcium condition that drives chronic foam
  • Prevents surface etching on acrylic and plaster spa shells
  • Fast-dissolving formula — mixes in quickly with the jets running, no pre-dissolving needed
  • Predictable dosing — 1 oz. per 500 gallons raises hardness about 7 ppm
  • Universal sanitizer compatibility — works with chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridge, and biguanide systems
  • Especially valuable for soft water — softened, well, and soft-region municipal fill water
  • Made in the USA by Leisure Time, a trusted name in spa chemistry for over 40 years
How It Works

"Calcium hardness" measures the amount of dissolved calcium in your spa water. It matters because water is chemically driven to reach an equilibrium — a balance point where it's neither dissolving more minerals nor depositing them. Water that's low in calcium is below that equilibrium, which makes it aggressive: it actively seeks calcium to dissolve, and it takes it from the nearest available source. In a spa, the nearest sources are the plaster or acrylic shell surface, the metal heater element, the pump seals, and the jet hardware. Over time, aggressive soft water etches surfaces dull and corrodes metal components — quietly damaging the most expensive parts of your spa from the inside out.

Low calcium also causes foaming. Calcium ions affect the surface tension of water; when calcium is too low, the water's surface tension drops, and bubbles from the jets form a stable foam instead of popping cleanly. This is why a spa with low hardness foams persistently even when you've done everything else right — and why foam suppressant alone never permanently fixes it.

Calcium Booster adds dissolved calcium to the water, raising hardness back above the aggressive threshold and into the balanced range. Once hardness reaches the target (the industry-standard safe range is 150–400 ppm, with 150–250 ppm ideal for most residential spas), the water stops being aggressive — it no longer pulls calcium from your equipment, surface etching stops, and the foam-promoting low surface tension is corrected. The dose response is predictable: 1 oz. per 500 gallons raises calcium hardness by about 7 ppm, so reaching a specific target is a matter of simple arithmetic from your current reading.

Pro Tip: Calcium hardness can be too high as well as too low — and Calcium Booster only goes one direction. The safe range tops out around 400 ppm; above that, calcium starts falling out of solution as scale on heaters and jets (the opposite problem from corrosion). If your fill water is already hard (common in hard-water regions, well water, or anywhere you see scale on faucets), you may not need Calcium Booster at all — and adding it would push you into scale territory. Always test before dosing. There's no product that lowers calcium hardness; the only fix for too-high calcium is draining and partially refilling with softer water.

Directions for Use

Standard Hardness Correction

  1. Test the current calcium hardness level of your spa water with a quality spa test strip.
  2. Determine the amount of Calcium Booster needed to reach the target range. 1 oz. per 500 gallons raises calcium hardness by approximately 7 ppm. The ideal hardness level is 150–400 ppm (150–250 ppm is ideal for most residential spas).
  3. Turn the jets ON to circulate the spa water.
  4. Pour the required amount of Calcium Booster directly into the spa water.
  5. Run the filter for 1 to 2 hours to fully circulate and mix.
  6. Retest the water to confirm the proper level has been reached.
  7. Repeat steps 1–5 as needed until hardness is within the target range.

Dosing Reference (Approximate)

For a typical 400-gallon spa, to raise calcium hardness:

  • +25 ppm: approximately 3 oz.
  • +50 ppm: approximately 6 oz.
  • +100 ppm: approximately 11 oz.

Always test, add incrementally, and retest rather than adding a large calculated dose all at once.

Weekly Monitoring

Test calcium hardness weekly with Leisure Time Test Strips. Hardness drifts slowly compared to pH and sanitizer, so frequent large corrections aren't usually needed — but a weekly check catches gradual softening before it causes foaming or corrosion.

Storage & Handling

  • Store in original container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
  • Keep tightly closed when not in use
  • Protect from freezing
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets
  • Do not mix with other chemicals in undiluted form — always add directly to spa water

Pro Tip: Get calcium hardness right at fresh fill and you'll rarely have to think about it again during that fill cycle. Calcium doesn't get "consumed" the way sanitizer does — it only drops through water dilution (splash-out, filter rinsing, evaporation top-offs). So a single startup correction at the beginning of each fill, followed by a quick weekly verification, is usually all the calcium management a spa needs. Build the hardness check into your fresh-fill startup routine alongside pH, alkalinity, and metal treatment, and it becomes a non-issue.

Specifications
  • Product: Leisure Time Calcium Booster (Calcium Hardness Increaser)
  • Size: 32 fl. oz. (1 quart / 946 mL)
  • Form: Fast-dissolving liquid
  • Function: Raises calcium hardness
  • Application: As needed when hardness falls below the target range
  • Dose Response: 1 oz. per 500 gallons raises hardness ~7 ppm
  • Target Hardness Range: 150–400 ppm (ideal: 150–250 ppm for residential spas)
  • Prevents: equipment corrosion, surface etching, and low-calcium foaming
  • Sanitizer Compatibility: Chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral, biguanide
  • Circulation Time: Run filter 1–2 hours after dosing
  • Note: raises hardness only — there is no product that lowers calcium hardness; correct high hardness by draining and partial refill
  • Country of Origin: Made in USA
  • Brand: Leisure Time Spa Care
  • Storage Note: Protect from freezing
  • Hazmat Classification: Non-hazardous for standard ground shipping
Compatibility

Calcium Booster is formulated for use in all residential spas and hot tubs, regardless of sanitizer type, shell material, or brand.

  • Sanitizer systems: chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridges (silver/copper), biguanide (Baqua Spa, SoftSoak)
  • Spa shells: acrylic, vinyl, fiberglass, rotomolded plastic, plaster, stainless steel
  • Equipment: safe on heater elements, circulation pumps, jet bodies, and standard cartridge filters
  • Water sources: especially valuable for soft water — water softener output, well water, and municipal supplies in soft-water regions, which all tend to start below the safe hardness range
  • Companion products: works alongside the full Leisure Time Simple Spa Care line — addresses the root cause behind some Foam Down situations; pairs with Spa Up / Spa Down for pH, sanitizers and shock, Defender for scale, and Test Strips for monitoring hardness
  • Brand fit: works in Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, American Whirlpool, Bullfrog, and every other residential spa brand

Most products purchased from our online shop within the last 30 days are eligible for return. Please review our return policy to see the list of items that cannot be returned.

Some major items that are non-returnable:

  • Gift cards
  • Electronics
  • Pumps / Motors
  • Hot Tubs
  • Closeouts
  • Fireplaces
  • Electric Fireplaces
  • Massage Chairs
  • See return policy below for full list of non-returnables.

Leisure Time® Brand FAQs

Can I use Leisure Time products in any brand of hot tub?

Yes. Leisure Time spa chemicals are formulated to work safely in every major brand of residential hot tub, including Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, American Whirlpool, Bullfrog, and others. They're also compatible with every common spa shell material — acrylic, vinyl, fiberglass, rotomolded plastic, and stainless steel.

Will Leisure Time chemicals work with my sanitizer system?

The Leisure Time line is built for universal sanitizer compatibility. Products work with chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridge systems (silver/copper), biguanide systems (Baqua Spa, SoftSoak), and salt-generated chlorine systems like the FreshWater Salt System. Specific product labels will note any exceptions.

Can I mix Leisure Time with pool chemicals or other spa brands?

We don't recommend it. Spa chemistry is sensitive, and mixing brands can lead to unpredictable interactions — cloudiness, foam, sanitizer interference, or staining. Leisure Time products are tested as a complete system; using them together gives you the most predictable results and the simplest weekly routine.

How long do Leisure Time products last in storage?

Most Leisure Time chemicals have a shelf life of 1 to 3 years when stored properly. Keep all spa chemicals in their original containers, sealed tightly, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, freezing temperatures, and other chemicals. Liquid products are most sensitive to temperature; granular products are more shelf-stable but should still be kept dry.

Are Leisure Time products safe for septic systems and drainage?

Yes — when spa water is properly diluted and drained according to local regulations, Leisure Time chemicals at residual levels are safe for typical municipal drainage. For homes on septic systems, drain spa water gradually over your lawn or landscape rather than dumping it all into the septic field at once. Always check local ordinances before draining.

How often do I need to drain and refill my spa when using Leisure Time?

Industry guidance is to drain and refill every 3 to 4 months for a typical 400-gallon residential spa, regardless of which chemical brand you use. Heavy use, lots of bathers, or high-temperature soaking can shorten that interval; light use can extend it. Regular use of Leisure Time clarifiers, filter care, and stain & scale products helps maintain water quality between fills, but no chemical regimen replaces a fresh refill on schedule.

About Leisure Time®

For more than 40 years, Leisure Time® has built spa-specific water care chemistry trusted by hot tub manufacturers, dealers, and homeowners across North America. Where pool chemicals are formulated for tens of thousands of gallons of cool, lightly used water, Leisure Time® products are engineered for the opposite extreme: small water volumes, sustained high temperatures, heavy bather loads, and powerful jet circulation. That combination puts dramatically more stress on water chemistry than a swimming pool ever sees, and it's why generic pool chemicals don't perform reliably in a spa.

The Leisure Time® line covers the complete water care picture — sanitization, water balance, clarity, stain and scale prevention, filter care, and spa surface care — and every product is designed to work together as part of the Simple Spa Care Program. That means no surprise interactions, no guesswork about what's compatible with what, and a predictable weekly routine that takes minutes instead of hours. The full Leisure Time® system works with chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridge, and biguanide sanitizing programs, and is safe for every common spa shell material.

Leisure Time® is manufactured in the USA and is one of the most widely recommended spa chemical brands in the industry — used by Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, American Whirlpool, Bullfrog, and many other major spa manufacturers as the dealer-recommended water care solution for their tubs.