Imagine looking forward to a warm relaxing bath but only to see yellow spa water in your hot tub after getting the hot tub cover off. Your initial response would be to say�disgusting!
But hot tub owners typically experience yellow spa water along with cloudy, hot tub water happening to the hot tub in their lifetime. Guess what? It all points out poor hot tub maintenance.
Yellow hot tub water, just like green hot tub water, is generally unsafe to use as it could have toxic properties that will damage not just your hot tub but your health.
The first step in treating is to know what causes it in the first place. This article will list down the possible reasons why your hot tub water is yellow, so make sure to read until the end.
5 Reasons Why Hot Tub Water Is Yellow
Take a look at these five top reasons why hot tub water is yellow and see what resonates with you.
1. High Levels Of Bromine
In terms of the water chemistry, yellow hot and cloudy hot tub water might develop as a result of low pH levels and excessive bromine levels. Because bromine can stain the Phenol Red used to test pH, the pH value appears higher than it is, which sometimes leads to the incorrect addition of extra acid.
It could turn into a vicious cycle because the pH test has a greater tendency to become yellow, which would result in a greater bromine result.
Add up to 5 drops of chlorine neutralizer when evaluating the pH of brominated spas to acquire a more precise value. The yellow tint should disappear once the pH and total alkalinity have been suitably corrected.
2. Algae Growth
Even in the presence of typical amounts of bromine or chlorine, yellow algae, a kind of algae that is highly resistant to both elements, can survive in the dark spa water. It seeks out tiny, obscure places where it may conceal itself and proliferate. When in full bloom, it will spread throughout spa surfaces like the spa filter in sheets.
A relatively high level of chlorinated spa shock is the recommended treatment for yellow algae. Before shocking the spa, balance the spa water and switch off the heater. Remove the cover and let the water circulate for many hours.
The spa should be shocked once more until the sanitizing levels are maintained in less than 24 hours. After this shock therapy, drain and clean the spa, wash and bleach the hot tub cover, and install a new cartridge in the hot tub filter.
3. Hard Water
High concentrations of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium, are found in hard water. Yellow soap scum and a cloudy, hot tub water can develop due to the chemical reaction that hard water might have with soap.
4. Growth Of Iron Bacteria
Iron bacteria are yet another typical issue. Don’t worry; there is no danger to your health from iron bacteria. But, if unregulated, this kind of bacteria can harm your plumbing, produce unpleasant smells, and alter the color making your hot tub water green or producing a white hot tub water. Although they can affect other systems, this issue is most prevalent in well-water systems.
When the iron bacteria combine iron and oxygen, rust deposits and a slimy material that adheres to plumbing fixtures are produced. Another typical sign of iron bacteria is extensive discoloration near your water fixtures.
5. Spring Time Pollen
If your hot tub is exposed to the elements for an extended time in the spring during the pollen-heavy months, your water may also get discolored and look yellow. This is particularly true if you last used the spa cover a while ago because pollens could fall directly into the water without the spa cover to protect it.
Is Hot Tub With Yellow Water Safe To use?
Using a hot tub with yellow hot tub water is dangerous, especially if your bromine levels are high. It has been proven to be hazardous to human health. The first step in dealing with high bromine levels is to partially drain your tub and refill it with fresh water, lowering the bromine level. Next, retest to ensure your levels are back in the normal range before using. If not, if they aren’t, repeat the process until they are finely balanced before using.
In addition, it might result in more serious issues that could harm your health and your hot tub’s surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about why your hot tub water is yellow.
What Color Should The Water In A Hot Tub?
Despite appearing clear in your drinking glass, water actually has a color. The color of pure water should be a faint shade of turquoise or blue. When your hot tub’s water is balanced and sanitized properly, it should also be an icy blue tint.
How Do I Make My Hot Tub Water Crystal Clear?
You can make your hot tub crystal clear with proper routine maintenance and by making sure that your hot tub is clean. To do this, you need to make sure that you regularly check the levels of hot tub chemicals in your hot tub water. Test if the water chemistry is balanced, and if it is not, make necessary treatments and adjustments. Additionally, you can vacuum and clean the hot tub surfaces weekly.
How Do I Know If My Hot Tub Has Bacteria In It?
Watch out for slime, an unpleasant odor, cloudy water, or changes in the water’s color�these are telltale indicators of bacterial growth. The bacteria are frequently visible or odorous before it becomes a significant issue. That typically indicates that your hot tub has bacteria.
Conclusion
A clear indication of a healthy and clean hot tub is clear water with a light blue tinge to it. Anything opposite to that, including yellow water, is a sign that there is a problem with your hot tub. In this case, look out for the possible causes from the lists provided above and make necessary treatments. Continue with routine maintenance, and you�ll surely enjoy a warm bath experience for a long time.
