Leisure Time Spa Up | pH Increaser
Leisure Time Spa Up is a fast-dissolving granular pH increaser formulated specifically for spas and hot tubs. Active chemistry: sodium carbonate (soda ash) — the industry-standard ingredient for raising spa water pH back into the ideal 7.2–7.8 range. Spa Up will also lift total alkalinity modestly as a secondary effect, making it a versatile balancing tool when both readings are running low.
pH is the single most important number on your test strip — more important than sanitizer level, more important than alkalinity, more important than hardness. When pH drifts low (below 7.2), three things happen at once: the water becomes corrosive to heater elements, pump seals, and metal jet hardware; chlorine and bromine become hyperactive and burn off faster, leaving you under-sanitized between doses; and bathers complain of stinging eyes and itchy skin. Left unaddressed, low pH can cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in equipment damage long before the water itself looks bad.
Spa Up corrects low pH quickly and predictably. The granular formula dissolves in seconds with the jets running, and a single 1 oz. dose per 500 gallons typically moves pH a full point upward — enough for most routine corrections. Used as part of a weekly balance check with a quality test strip, Spa Up is one of the two essential pH tools every hot tub owner needs to keep on the shelf (the other being a pH decreaser for when the water runs the opposite direction).
Leisure Time®
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.
