Description
Start Water Balance Where FROG Says To: Total Alkalinity
FROG TArget raises total alkalinity in hot tubs and swim spas. Alkalinity is the buffer that keeps pH from swinging, and FROG calls getting it to 80–120 ppm the essential first step in balancing.
The 2 lb bottle uses the FROG TruDose Cap and an on-label dosing chart. Match your test strip to the chart, measure in the cap and pour with the jets running.
Steadier pH
FROG explains that without the alkalinity buffer, pH swings from acidic to alkaline and is very hard to hold at 7.2–7.6. TArget builds that buffer back up.
Protects Surfaces and Equipment
Low alkalinity often drives pH down, and FROG says the result can be corrosion of rails, screws, filters and pipes, plus itchy, dry skin.
Less Sanitizer Waste
With low alkalinity, FROG notes sanitizers are less effective and you need more of them. Balanced water lets your sanitizer go further.
Measured, Not Guessed
The TruDose Cap has cup and tablespoon markings and seals the bottle between uses, so each dose matches the chart.
Key Features and Benefits
- Raises Total AlkalinityFROG's first balancing step.
- 2 lb BottleSodium bicarbonate, fast dissolving.
- FROG TruDose CapCup and tablespoon markings.
- Dosing Chart on LabelHot tub and swim spa amounts.
- 30-Minute MixJets on, retest after 2 hours.
- Caution LabelKeep out of reach of children.
Product Details
| Product Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | FROG (King Technology, Inc.) |
| Product | FROG TArget Total Alkalinity Increaser |
| Size | 2 lb (catalog) |
| Product Type | Total alkalinity increaser |
| Principal Functioning Agent (label) | Sodium hydrogen carbonate (sodium bicarbonate), 100.0% |
| Form | Granular solid |
| 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 | 01-14-6250 |
| Store SKU | 01-14-6250 |
| UPC | 722906062301 |
| Image Alt Text | FROG TArget total alkalinity increaser 2 lb bottle with TruDose Cap |
How to Use FROG TArget
- Test weekly: Test total alkalinity with FROG Test Strips, or FROG @ease Test Strips if you use FROG @ease.
- Measure from the chart: If alkalinity is below 80 ppm, use the chart on the TArget 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 TArget in. Circulate 30 minutes with the cover off.
- Retest after 2 hours: After 2 hours, test again and repeat until alkalinity reads 80–120 ppm.
- Then move to pH: Once alkalinity is in range, check pH and adjust with FROG JumpH or FROG DropH if needed.
FROG TArget Directions at a Glance
| Step | What the Directions Say |
|---|---|
| When to use | Total alkalinity below 80 ppm |
| How much | Amount from the label 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 80–120 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 (this listing) | FROG DropH |
| 2. pH | 7.2–7.6 | FROG JumpH | FROG DropH |
| 3. Total hardness | 150–250 ppm | FROG SooTHe | 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 TArget Dose Chart (from the bottle)
| Hot Tub or Swim Spa Gallons | TA reads 0 ppm | TA reads 40 ppm |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | ½ cup | ¼ cup |
| 400 | 1 cup | ½ cup |
| 600 | 1½ cups | ¾ cup |
| 1,000 | 2½ cups | 1½ cups |
| 1,300 | 3¼ cups | 2 cups |
| 1,600 | 4 cups | 2¼ cups |
| 1,900 | 1 bottle + ¾ cup | 2¾ cups |
| 2,200 | 1 bottle + 1½ cups | 3¼ cups |
| 2,500 | 1 bottle + 2¼ cups | 3¼ cups |
Amounts are FROG's chart for reaching 80–120 ppm. A bottle means one full 2 lb bottle. Retest after 2 hours before adding more.
Compatibility Notes
Before You Buy
- Raises total alkalinity only. If alkalinity is above 120 ppm, use FROG DropH to lower it.
- Works with FROG @ease, FROG Serene and FROG Filter Mate systems and with chlorine, bromine or salt hot tubs.
- Dosing on the label covers hot tubs and swim spas.
- Adjust alkalinity before pH; FROG JumpH is the pH increaser.
Why Choose FROG TArget
Every FROG balancing guide starts with alkalinity, and TArget is the FROG product built for that first step, with the same cap and chart routine as the rest of the line. Shop more FROG and King Technology water care, or compare every hot tub alkalinity balancer at HotTubPirate.com.
Ideal For
- Fresh fills with soft, low-alkalinity water
- Hot tubs with pH that bounces day to day
- Anyone starting FROG's balance routine
- Swim spa owners who want measured doses
Frequently Asked Questions
How much TArget raises alkalinity in my hot tub?
It takes more than most people expect. FROG's chart lists 1½ cups for a 1,000-gallon tub reading 40 ppm and 2½ cups from 0 ppm. Measure in the TruDose Cap and retest before adding more.
Why does FROG say to adjust alkalinity before pH?
Alkalinity buffers pH. FROG says that without it pH swings dramatically, so fixing pH first is often wasted effort. Get alkalinity to 80–120 ppm, then fine-tune pH.
When is it OK to test alkalinity again after a dose?
Two hours. The TArget directions call for 30 minutes of jet circulation to mix it in, then a 2-hour wait before testing alkalinity again. Repeat until it reads 80 to 120 ppm.
Can I use TArget with FROG @ease or a bromine hot tub?
Yes. FROG lists it for the @ease, Serene and Filter Mate systems, and its catalog says the balancers work with any other sanitizer too, chlorine and bromine included.
What is total alkalinity in a hot tub?
FROG describes total alkalinity, or TA, as how well the water is buffered against pH changes. It is always the first level to test and adjust, with an ideal range of 80 to 120 ppm.
What happens if alkalinity is too low?
FROG says low TA often drags pH down, causing itchy skin, corrosion of metal parts and weaker sanitizer. pH also bounces around, which makes balancing frustrating.
What if alkalinity is too high instead?
FROG says alkalinity over 120 ppm means high pH that is hard to lower, cloudy water and scale. Do not add TArget; lower it with FROG DropH.
Is TArget just baking soda?
Its active ingredient is the same compound. The label lists sodium hydrogen carbonate, which is sodium bicarbonate, at 100%. What you get with TArget is FROG's chart and measuring cap.
Will TArget change my pH too?
It can move pH slightly as alkalinity rises. That is why FROG's steps end with checking pH once alkalinity is in range, then adjusting with JumpH or DropH only if needed.
Why does alkalinity drop over time?
FROG lists fill water, body oils and sweat, low-pH sanitizers like chlorine, evaporation and topping off, and the aeration of the jets as common causes.
How often should I test alkalinity?
FROG's TArget guide says weekly with FROG Test Strips. Its hot tub school suggests testing more often and having a dealer check a water sample once a month.
What is pH bounce?
FROG's hot tub school uses the term for pH that quickly swings up and down from one test to the next. It is a classic sign of low total alkalinity, and raising TA is the fix.
Do I need TArget after every drain and refill?
Only if the new water tests low. Fill water varies by town and well, so test alkalinity first on every fresh fill before adding any other product.
Where in the 80–120 ppm range should I aim?
FROG's hot tub school says the middle of the range is ideal. Landing near 100 ppm leaves room for normal drift in either direction between weekly tests.
Is TArget a hazardous chemical?
The label carries the Caution signal word and says to keep it out of reach of children. Follow the precautionary statements on the back panel and avoid breathing the dust.
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 avoid breathing the dust.
- If it gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of water. If swallowed, rinse mouth and get medical advice if you feel unwell.
- 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 FROG DropH or other acids. Add one product at a time.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. Close the TruDose Cap and store the bottle in a cool, ventilated place out of sunlight.
- Read the full label and Safety Data Sheet before use.
Product Documents
Download the FROG TArget Safety Data Sheet for composition, first aid and storage information. Dosing amounts are printed on the bottle's chart and repeated in the dose table above.