So you finally chose to buy the ideal hot tub. You’ve eventually acquired the hot tub of your dreams, found the perfect place for it, and eagerly anticipate the day when you can jump in and unwind.
But don’t get too excited yet! Proper water chemistry is essential before safely enjoying that warm, bubbling water. Do you know what hot tub chemicals are appropriate to use?
Like a swimming pool, controlling the chemistry in your tub is easy once you know what chemicals need to go in and out of the water. Balancing chemicals, such as pH adjusters, Total Alkalinity, and shock treatments, are necessary to maintain the chemistry of your hot tub.
Rest assured, you won’t need any degree in Chemistry to know what type of chemicals should go into your tub.
We’re here to help you figure out the different chemicals you need to maintain the water chemistry of your hot tub.
What Is A Hot Tub?
A hot tub is a spa located above ground; it’s an entirely self-contained object that offers people a relaxing bath with hot water and jets.
Although many various hot tub manufacturers are producing different models, the main functions of every hot tub are essentially the same. This mechanical design also enables essential hot tub functions like heating and water containment.
Hot tubs are for leisurely use and offer hydrotherapeutic treatments, reducing muscle aches and pains. They’re also used to reduce tension and anxiety.
Manufacturers have created unique technical elements like LED lighting, Bluetooth, control panels, massaging jets, and others to improve the spa experience.
Hot Tub Chemicals
Your hot tub’s chemical balance is continuously shifting due to the warm environment; this might be caused by variations in the outside temperature, precipitation, and body oils like sweat.
To keep your hot tub water safe and clean, you need to test it regularly and add the right chemicals to balance the water’s chemistry.
Hot Tub Sanitizers
Biguanides are widely known as a non-chlorine sanitizer for disinfecting hot tubs. Unlike other sanitizers, this product doesn’t function with toxic chemicals like chlorine, Bromine, or other sanitizing systems.
Before using Biguanides, you must switch to your tub’s sanitizing systems. However, this type of sanitizer has a particular disadvantage, so if you’re looking for simple hot tub maintenance, they might not be the most excellent choice.
On the other hand, Bromine is an excellent alternative to chlorine. It’s available as tablets or granules and is not as damaging to the skin as chlorine. But even Bromine can cause skin irritation in specific people. Chlorine and Bromine function similarly, while Bromine is more stable at elevated temperatures.
Chlorine is an oxidant great for removing impurities from water. Chlorine and water undergo a chemical reaction that results in chloramines, giving out a strong odor that�s not too gentle for the nose.
You can use chlorine tablets or floaters to maintain your spa and hot tub chemicals. Even yet, using chlorine requires frequent monitoring of the water�s chlorine levels. You�ll have to remove the chlorine products once the substances in the water are balanced.
PH Chemicals
PH measures the acidity level and alkalinity in a hot tub of water, typically on a scale from 0 to 14. A reading of 7 is regarded as neutral or balanced.
Maintaining a level between 7.2 and 7.8 is necessary. A lower reading means your water is overly acidic, leading to irritation and eye burn. An excellent reading means your water is excessively alkaline, promoting scale build-up.
You need a pH Increaser or Decreaser to balance your hot tub�s water level.
PH Increaser
Sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate,� are usually used to boost pH levels. They’re also advertised as an alkalinity enhancer for raising alkalinity.
PH Decreaser
Muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate can lower the pH levels of your hot tub water. These substances, which are usually produced and packaged as “pH decreaser” and offered by your hot tub supplier, can also be used to reduce overall alkalinity.
Alkalinity Increaser
Alkalinity is a buffer for pH, neutralizing external acids and preventing abrupt pH changes. Your pH levels may decrease if the overall alkalinity of your hot tub water falls too low. If this happens, you need to use an alkalinity booster.
Calcium
Water naturally contains calcium. Usually, this mineral is not a problem. However, the water can be too soft or too hard for your spa, depending on your environment.
If the calcium content of the water in your hot tub is too high, you might need to use a specialized filter or product to soften the water. In this case, you might need to apply a calcium hardness increaser to balance your spa chemicals.
Your hot tub becomes prone to erosion and corrosion when calcium hardness levels are too low. Use a hardness booster to elevate levels above 150 ppm to prevent your hot tub from getting damaged.
On the other hand, a high calcium hardness can make the water cloudy and lead to scale build-up on hot tub surfaces and machinery. You must use spa chemicals to maintain the calcium in your hot tub’s water solution if levels rise higher than 250 ppm.
You might need to drain the hot tub and start over if the levels rise beyond your control.
Spa Shock For Hot Tub Water
Regularly shocking your hot tub water is essential to keeping it in good condition. When you open your hot tub after inactivity or frequent use, you must shock the water in your spa.
Use granular chlorine to shock your hot tub at least once each week. Then add a dab of non-chlorine shock whenever you use the hot tub so it will remain clean.
The germs in your spa water are eliminated using chlorine and bromine. However, without frequent shock treatments, your hot tub quickly fills up with chloramines and bromamines, and your sanitizer won’t be able to get rid of the contaminants.
Additionally, spa shock is effective in removing the water’s organic molecules. Shock treatments will eliminate the organic impurities from heavy hot tub usage and help your sanitizer function properly.
Cleaner And Clarifier For Hot Tubs
Filter cleaning is a crucial part of hot tub maintenance. You need a cleaner specifically for hot tub filters for simple hot tub maintenance. Select a filter cleaner that removes and loosens hair, filth, grime, and oil from the filter cloth and its pleats without using strong acids or bleach.
Additionally, cartridge cleaning agents help dissolve the greasy buildup and other pollutants in your filter’s fibers. It can extend your cartridge’s lifespan slightly, yet it won’t be able to last indefinitely.
No matter how hygienic and spotless you keep your hot tub, the water may not remain clear due to water balance problems. Sometimes it indicates that your filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Spa clarifiers function by collecting tiny contaminants into more significant clusters that can be filtered out of the water quickly. Even though you might not need to use these chemicals regularly, having them on hand is convenient.
Enzymes For Hot Tub
These biological catalysts speed chemical processes to remove non-living organic contaminants from hot tub water. To reduce the amount of sanitizer required to maintain your hot tub, enzymes function to break down hair products, bodily fluids, and other chemical substances.
Fragrances
Fragrances for hot tubs are not always necessary. But having them is undoubtedly great. There are various types of aromatherapy scents available for every hot tub. They cover a wide variety, from smells that improve mood to ones that promote relaxation. Whichever one you prefer, they are all excellent additions to your bathing time.
Water Conditioner
A hot tub water treatment wouldn’t be complete if water conditioners won’t leave your hot tub clean. Hot tub maintenance is made simple with water treatment and conditioner.
With the help of water treatment and conditioner, scum lines are removed, scale is prevented from forming, the correct pH levels are maintained, and spa water feels smooth and luxurious. As a result, it might lessen the need to keep your hot tub using harmful chemicals.
Defoamers
In every hot tub, excessive foam is a common issue; thick foam from soap, deodorant, oil, shampoo, and lotion residue can build up and make a mess that can clog your hot tub pipe.
Too much foaming in your hot tub water might be caused by low calcium levels, which can also drop your water’s surface tension and make it easier for oil and water particles to contaminate.
Hot tub foam can be treated and removed in several ways. While some chlorine shock treatments merely remove the foam, others, known as “defoamers,” remove the foam and address the underlying problem.
Conclusion
Your hot tub will always be ready for use if you keep the required supplies. Relaxation is a top priority when using a hot tub, so take full advantage of the time!
Don�t forget to store hot tub chemicals in a high place where children and pets can�t reach them. They also need to be placed in a cool and dry place.
And as a general rule, wait at least 12 hours before using the hot tub after putting sanitizers in the water. This will enable the items to sanitize your tub effectively.
