Description
Give Soft Water the Calcium It Needs So It Leaves Your Hot Tub Alone
FROG SooTHe raises total hardness, also called calcium hardness, in hot tubs and swim spas. FROG recommends 150–250 ppm, and soft fill water often starts well below that.
Water that is too soft looks for calcium elsewhere. FROG says it pulls it from surfaces, causing pitting and etching. A measured dose of SooTHe from the 2 lb bottle supplies that calcium instead.
Shields Surfaces From Soft Water
FROG warns that hardness below 150 ppm makes water corrosive, and its hot tub school says that damage cannot be undone. SooTHe brings hardness back up before it becomes a problem.
Softer-Feeling, More Comfortable Water
FROG notes that low hardness also dries out skin. Bringing it into range is part of what makes a soak feel right.
Easier Balance and Sanitizing
FROG says that without balanced hardness, holding proper balance and sanitizer levels becomes very difficult. SooTHe is the third step, after alkalinity and pH.
Same Simple Cap and Chart
Like the rest of the FROG balancers, SooTHe uses the TruDose Cap with cup and tablespoon marks and a dosing chart on the bottle.
Key Features and Benefits
- Raises Total HardnessFor readings below 150 ppm.
- 2 lb BottleCalcium chloride flakes.
- FROG TruDose CapMeasure in the cap, dose into the water.
- Dosing Chart on LabelHot tub and swim spa amounts.
- 30-Minute MixJets on, retest after 2 hours.
- Any SanitizerFROG systems, chlorine, bromine or salt.
Product Details
| Product Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | FROG (King Technology, Inc.) |
| Product | FROG SooTHe Total Hardness Increaser |
| Size | 2 lb (catalog) |
| Product Type | Total (calcium) hardness increaser |
| Principal Functioning Agent (label) | Calcium chloride dihydrate, 100.0% |
| Form | White flakes (SDS) |
| Use In | Hot tubs and swim spas |
| Signal Word (label) | Caution; keep out of reach of children |
| Dosing Method | FROG TruDose Cap with cup and tablespoon markings, amount read from the chart on the bottle |
| Dose Chart | On the bottle for 200–2,500 gallons; reproduced in How to Use |
| Compatible Sanitizers | All FROG sanitizing systems and other sanitizers, including chlorine, bromine and salt systems |
| Testing | Weekly with FROG Test Strips (or FROG @ease Test Strips with @ease) |
| Water Balance Targets (FROG) | Total alkalinity 80–120 ppm, pH 7.2–7.6, total hardness 150–250 ppm |
| Shipping (DOT, per SDS) | Not regulated |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 01-14-6260 |
| Store SKU | 01-14-6260 |
| UPC | 722906062509 |
| Image Alt Text | FROG SooTHe total hardness increaser 2 lb bottle with TruDose Cap |
How to Use FROG SooTHe
- Test at fill and weekly: Test total hardness with FROG Test Strips when you first fill and then weekly.
- Balance alkalinity and pH first: Get total alkalinity to 80–120 ppm and pH to 7.2–7.6 before adjusting hardness.
- Measure from the chart: Use the chart on the SooTHe bottle to measure the right amount in the TruDose Cap.
- Dose with the jets on: With the jets on and no one in the hot tub, pour SooTHe in. Circulate 30 minutes with the cover off.
- Retest after 2 hours: After 2 hours, test again and repeat until hardness reads 150–250 ppm, then add sanitizer.
FROG SooTHe Directions at a Glance
| Step | What the Directions Say |
|---|---|
| When to use | Total hardness below 150 ppm |
| How much | Amount from the bottle chart, measured in the TruDose Cap |
| How to add | Jets on, hot tub unoccupied, cover off |
| Mix | Circulate 30 minutes |
| Retest | After 2 hours; repeat until 150–250 ppm |
FROG Water Balance Order and Targets
| Order and Test | FROG Ideal Range | Raise With | Lower With |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Total alkalinity | 80–120 ppm | FROG TArget | FROG DropH |
| 2. pH | 7.2–7.6 | FROG JumpH | FROG DropH |
| 3. Total hardness | 150–250 ppm | FROG SooTHe (this listing) | Partial drain and refill with softer water |
| 4. Sanitizer | Per your system | Any FROG system or your usual sanitizer | Not applicable |
Work top to bottom and get each level in range before moving to the next. Retest on the timing in each product's own directions; FROG's start-up guide suggests letting the water circulate about 6 hours before you start the next balancing step.
FROG SooTHe Dose Chart (from the bottle)
| Hot Tub or Swim Spa Gallons | Hardness reads 0 ppm | Hardness reads 50 ppm |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 1 cup | ¾ cup |
| 400 | 2 cups | 1½ cups |
| 600 | 3 cups | 2¼ cups |
| 1,000 | 1 bottle + 1 cup | 3¾ cups |
| 1,300 | 1 bottle + 2½ cups | 1 bottle + ¾ cup |
| 1,600 | 2 bottles | 1 bottle + 2 cups |
| 1,900 | 2 bottles + 1½ cups | 1 bottle + 3 cups |
| 2,200 | 2 bottles + 3 cups | 2 bottles + ¼ cup |
| 2,500 | 3 bottles + ½ cup | 2 bottles + ¼ cup |
Amounts are FROG's chart for reaching 150–250 ppm. A bottle means one full 2 lb bottle, so larger tubs with very soft water may need more than one. Retest after 2 hours.
Compatibility Notes
Before You Buy
- Raises hardness only. It cannot lower hard water; FROG suggests a softer fill source or a partial drain and refill.
- Works with FROG @ease, FROG Serene and FROG Filter Mate systems and with chlorine, bromine or salt hot tubs.
- The bottle's dosage guide covers hot tubs and swim spas.
- Adjust it after alkalinity and pH, never before.
Why Choose FROG SooTHe
Hardness is the level many owners skip, yet FROG says soft-water damage is permanent. SooTHe makes the fix quick, using the same measured routine as the other FROG balancers. Shop more FROG and King Technology water care, or compare every hot tub calcium hardness increaser at HotTubPirate.com.
Ideal For
- Homes with soft or softened fill water
- Fresh fills that test below 150 ppm
- Hot tubs with acrylic, stone or tile surroundings
- FROG @ease and FROG Serene owners
Frequently Asked Questions
How much SooTHe will I need?
Hardness takes the biggest doses in the line. FROG's chart lists 2 cups for a 400-gallon tub starting at 0 ppm, and a 1,000-gallon tub at 0 ppm needs one full bottle plus 1 cup.
When do I adjust hardness compared with pH and alkalinity?
Last of the three. FROG's order is total alkalinity, then pH, then total hardness, and only after all three are in range do you add sanitizer.
How soon can I test hardness again after adding SooTHe?
Plan on about 2 hours. SooTHe goes in with the jets on, mixes for half an hour, and FROG then waits the 2 hours before the next hardness check, dosing again only if it is under 150 ppm.
Is SooTHe safe to use with FROG cartridges or chlorine?
It is. Hardness balancing sits alongside any sanitizer: FROG pairs SooTHe with its @ease, Serene and Filter Mate systems, and its catalog says the balancers suit other sanitizers too.
What is total hardness, and is it the same as calcium hardness?
FROG uses the terms together: total hardness is the calcium and other minerals that make water feel hard or soft. Its hot tub school says it measures calcium and magnesium.
What happens if hot tub water is too soft?
FROG says soft water pulls calcium from wherever it can, which leads to pitting or etching of surfaces, corrosion of metal parts and drier skin. Its hot tub school adds that this damage cannot be undone.
Can SooTHe lower hardness that is too high?
No, it only raises hardness. FROG's best option for high hardness is filling with a softer water source, or a partial drain and refill, and it suggests asking your local dealer.
When should I check hardness?
FROG says to test it when you first fill the hot tub, since your tap or well water sets the starting point. Then keep it on your weekly strip routine.
I have a water softener. Do I need SooTHe?
Probably worth testing. FROG says hardness mostly comes from fill water, and softened water starts low, so check after each fill and add SooTHe if it reads under 150 ppm.
Does topping off the hot tub change hardness?
Yes. FROG notes that every time you add water to replace evaporation, total hardness shifts, so retest after big top-offs as well as after a full refill.
What is the active ingredient in SooTHe?
Calcium chloride dihydrate, listed at 100% on the label. The SDS describes the product as white flakes. FROG's hot tub school names calcium chloride as the way to raise hardness.
Is SooTHe something I add every week?
Less often than your other balancers, in most cases. FROG ties hardness changes mainly to fill water and top-offs, so you will usually reach for SooTHe after a fresh fill or a big top-off when the test reads low.
We fill with well water. Does that change anything?
It can. FROG notes that every town's water is different and many people use well water, which is often the main reason hardness starts out of range. Test right after each fill.
How do I store calcium chloride like SooTHe?
Keep the cap tightly closed, since the SDS lists moisture as incompatible. Store it locked up in a cool, dry, ventilated place out of reach of children.
Should I have a dealer test my hardness?
It helps. FROG's hot tub school suggests a dealer test or a quality home kit for hardness, and points to its Langelier Saturation Index calculator to check overall balance.
Safety Notes
Handle With Care
- The label carries the Caution signal word and says to keep it out of reach of children. Follow the first aid and precautionary statements on the back panel, and wear gloves and eye protection when you pour.
- If it gets in your eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and get medical advice. If on skin, wash with soap and plenty of water.
- Keep the cap tightly closed; the SDS lists moisture as incompatible. Store locked up.
- Add the product to the water, never water to the product, and only with no one in the hot tub.
- Never mix it with other chemicals, including other FROG balancers or sanitizers. Add one product at a time.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. Close the TruDose Cap tightly and store the bottle in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
- Read the full label and Safety Data Sheet before use.
Product Documents
Download the FROG SooTHe Safety Data Sheet for hazard, first aid and storage information. Dosing amounts are printed on the bottle's chart and repeated in the dose table above.