So you just got a new hot tub and you’re ready to enjoy it? Before you do that, you should know that the most important thing is keeping your water balanced and knowing the proper use of hot tub and spa chemicals.
Sutro can help you keep your water clear and clean by testing it multiple times per day and providing you with custom recommendations.
Chemicals for Hot Tub and Spa Owners
It is particularly important to maintain the water chemistry in hot tubs because they can be breeding grounds for dangerous pathogens and can lead to rashes or illness. This is because the water is kept warm, it’s a relatively smaller body of water and doesn’t take long to get contaminated.
People simply do not test often enough or they use inadequate testing methods which leads them to constantly battle their water.
Let’s look at the most common parameters and the types of hot tub chemicals you will need to maintain them.
Sanitizer
This is the most critical parameter to monitor because it kills pathogens in your water. Sanitizer helps keeping your water clean and clear and keeps you safe.
The most effective and common methods for hot tub and spa sanitization are chlorine and bromine. Bromine is the most popular method to use because it performs well in hot water.
You should maintain a minimum of 2 ppm, but the preferred range is 4 ppm to 6 ppm. You certainly don’t want to exceed 10 ppm. Don’t ignore this chemical, it has the biggest impact on your water quality and health!
pH
If you allow pH level to get too low, your water will be acidic and can damage your hot tub equipment. If on the contrary it gets too high, then it can cause cloudy water, scale, and stains. Your pH should be kept between 7.2-7.8 and not allowed to exceed 8.0. Adjustments can be made by using pH down and pH up.
Alkalinity
Think of alkalinity as a helper for your pH. In other words, it keeps your pH from bouncing. You should maintain alkalinity within a range of 80-120 ppm and see what works best for you.
If you need to decrease your alkalinity you can use pH down. Note that the relationship between pH and alkalinity is strong, as one impacts the other. Interestingly enough, alkalinity can be increased with baking soda!
Calcium Hardness
Most people associate the use of calcium hardness with plaster pools and think that it’s not that important for fiberglass, acrylic pools or spas. The amount of calcium is important for the clarity of your water so it shouldn’t be ignored. Be sure to keep it between 150-400 ppm.
Shock
Shock treatment is a must in your hot tub and spa maintenance. Shocking your hot tub and spa is a great way to raise your sanitizer and kill all those pesky things and contaminants in your water quickly.
Metal Remover
If you fill your hot tub or spa with well water (or your local water supply has metals), you should test it for metal content like iron and copper. These elements can cause staining in your hot tub, and even turn your hair green if not treated!
In conclusion, there are several things to keep an eye on when it comes to making sure your hot tub or spa is ready to be used safely. It’s really not hard at all to keep your water clean and clear when you test often and treat promptly.
However, if you aren’t diligent then you are guaranteed to battle your water and spend more time and money than you should. Let Sutro take that worry off of your hands so you can spend more time enjoying your hot tub or spa and less time fighting it.
Don't know what chemicals to add or when? Sutro will tell you!