Hot Tub Water Chemistry Guide

We have developed several steps to help keep your water clear and healthy. ALWAYS make sure your filtration pump is working and wait 30 minutes before adding different chemicals to your hot tub. If you have any questions in regards to keeping your hot tub safe and healthy, please feel free to contact one of our Customer Service Specialists for more information. You can reach us here daily via chat or e-mail or you can call us toll-free at 800-918-9143.

You should also take a look at our Online Knowledge Base for additional information about your hot tub. It contains up to date information about maintenance, purchasing replacement products, and a whole lot more.

1. Testing Water Hardness:

The hardness of your warder is determined by the calcium level. Too much calcium could cause scaling and excessive foaming. The ideal calcium levels should be between 200-400 parts per million.

• Fill your hot tub or spa
• Use a test strip while the water is still cool
• Add a product to raise the calcium level to cool water
• Wait 2-3 days before retesting
• If you have added too much calcium increaser, drain 6-12 inches of water, refill and retest
• For water with too much calcium, run it through a water softener or keep water and alkalinity levels in balance and use a mineral protection agent

2. Balance Your Water

Balancing your water means keeping your pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 ppm and your alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm. Water that is too acidic could corrode your components and irritate your skin. A pH level that is too high could cause scaling and damage to your hot tub's shell. 

• Use a test strip to measure your pH and alkalinity levels
• Always correct alkalinity first by running the pump on high
• To raise alkalinity, use a product that will raise the alkalinity and follow the instructions
• If the alkalinity is in range and the pH needs to be raised, add half an ounce at a time, wait 30 minutes and test again, repeat as necessary
• To lower alkalinity without lowering the pH, add as much product as necessary
• If the pH still needs to be lowered, add half an ounce at a time, wait 30 minutes and test again, repeat as necessary
• If your have high alkalinity and a pH below 7.0, drain 6 to 12 inches of water, refill and retest

3. Choosing & Using A Sanitizer

Chlorine - A fast-acting for correcting aggressive water problems. It is recommended to keep it on hand to use to shock the water if needed. Chlorine is available as Trichlor, which is slow dissolving recommended for pools, and Dichlor, which is quick dissolving and recommended for hot tubs. Avoid using chlorine for pools as it can cause many problems, including invalidating your warranty.

Bromine - Commonly used in hot tubs because it doesn't evaporate as fast as chlorine. It can be added to water using two different methods: 

• Tablets are the easiest method of adding bromine to your water and require the use of a floating dispenser which should be removed when you use your hot tub and replaced when you exit. Some models have an independent pump and hidden skimmer basket to hold bromine tablets which will sanitize the water more frequently and doesn't require removal.
• Sodium bromide is a two-step process because it needs to be activated with an oxidizer like chlorine or a non-chlorine shock. It requires a little more effort and is a learned process.

Mineral cartridges  - Can be installed in the filter or used in a floating dispenser. Most cartridges last up to 3 months and we recommended they are used in conjunction with chlorine, bromine or a non-chloring shock.

Ozone - Powerful oxidizer that keeps water free of bacteria, mold, spores and viruses. Many hot tub models come with an ozonator that feeds ozone gas into the water and produces "off gases." Ozonators should not be used on indoor spas unless they are properly vented. They are designed to be used in conjunction with another sanitizer.

 

4. Prevent Scaling & Staining

Many local water areas contain high levels of iron and/or copper which can stain your spa shell, damage your heater, discolor water and require more sanitizer. Add a stain & scale agent every week as a preventative measure. Test your water to determine the right amount of agent."

5. Keeping Your Water Clear

Hot water can cause bacteria to form and cloud or discolor your water. Add a clarifier when you first fill your hot tub to prevent cloudy or discolored water. There are two types of clarifier: 

• Natural enzyme - breaks down the organics and contaminants in the water, minimizes scum line and oil slicks without creating more work for your filter or limit the water flow of your jets without affecting water chemistry
• Synthetic coagulant - bond many small particles into a larger mass which can be cleaned by the filter, while cheaper than natural enzymes, synthetic coagulants can affect your water chemistry.

6. Clean & Replace Your Filter

Cleaning and replacing your cartridge is an important part of maintaining clean and healthy water. You can view our Filter Cartridge Cleaning Guide for more information on cleaning your cartridge. You can also use our Filter Finder to locate a new filter, if you are replacing your filter cartridge.

7. Keep Your Hot Tub Covered

Covers help keep your water clean, prevent evaporation and maintain a safe water environment.