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Hot Tub Chemicals For Dummies

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Can You Go In A Hot Tub Without Chemicals

HOT TUB Chemicals 101: Which Ones Do You Need? | Swim University

Its not safe to soak in a hot tub without chemicals. Thats like getting into a bathtub after someone else has used it! A hot tub without chemicals is the perfect breeding environment for bacteria, algae, and contaminants. Just like a swimming pool, youll need to keep your spa water sanitized and balanced. If youre the very first person to get into a freshly filled hot tub, you might be okay. But that water will get very nasty very quickly.

Chemicals Dosages & How

Get help with Shock Dosing your hot tub and advice on adjusting Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity levels.

Total Alkalinity is the measure of your hot tub waters ability to neutralise acids. Balanced Total Alkalinity helps control the pH levels and the correct level to aim for is between 80 and 120 parts per million .How To Balance Total Alkalinity Levels1. Dip a ClearWater® Test Strip in the centre of your Lay-Z-Spa, remove and hold it still for 15 seconds. 2. Compare your dip test strip results to the colour chart on the packaging.3. Total Alkalinity results:For low TA levels below 80ppm you will need to use Total Alkalinity Increaser. The amount of TA + you need to add to your hot tub depends on the volume of water and how low your readings are. As a guide – a hot tub of 1,000 litres requires 18g to raise Total Alkalinity levels by 10ppm .For high TA levels above 120ppm you will need to use PH Minus. The amount of pH decreaser you need to add to your hot tub depends on levels are and on the volume of water. Check the dosage rates on the back of the bottle and measure accordingly.Problems Caused By Unbalanced Total Alkalinity LevelsNot balancing the Total Alkalinity levels in your hot tub can cause a number of issues that can impact your spa experience.

2. Compare your dip test strip results to the colour chart on the packaging.

HIGH CHLORINE READINGS
Red itchy eyes and skin rash Bacteria Growth

Lay-Z-Spa Chlorine Granule Dosage Recommendations Table

Daily Hot Tub Maintenance

Chances are, a few moments will be all you need to attend to your home spas daily maintenance. Make sure your checklist includes:

  • Ensure the spa cover is clean and secure. A properly secured cover keeps heat, water, and chemicals in while keeping debris, pets, and kids out.
  • Check the water temperature and adjust as necessary. Take careful note of any drastic temperature changes, as they could indicate a serious system issue.
  • Check for damage to the cover and spa. This is especially important for outdoor spas, which are exposed to animals and the elements.

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Alternative Water Care Programs

If you want to try a different water care regimen than standard chlorine or bromine, there are a few products available. These are sometimes sold as natural or premium water care systems. There are several brand names available. These alternative solutions may or may not be more natural depending on how you look at them. However, they do take a somewhat different approach to inhibiting water-born contaminants. Some of these solutions are marketed as a technology that hinders bacterial growth by eradicating the food source. Others are sold as metal-based bacterial inhibitors. Most contain additional water conditioning agents that claim to help your water feel softer to your skin.

Tips for using alternative water care systems:

  • Investigate thoroughly. The information available for several of these regimens is a bit hazy. Thats not to say that they dont work. Many hot tub owners swear by them. However, its wise to inform yourself thoroughly and be aware of the potential issues. Ask your local spa dealer and those you may know who have used the specific system.
  • Clean with a bio-film eliminating agent. Its important to prepare for switching to these alternative regimens by thoroughly cleaning and removing all organic matter and any debris you dont want in your hot tub. Apply the prescribed agent, usually included with these systems, turn your jets on high for 30 minutes to flush plumbing.
  • Hot Tub Chemicals 101

    Dummies DIY Guide to Chemicals for Inflatable Hot Tubs

    In this primer, we try to cut through all the scientific mumbo-jumbo and give you the bottom line.

    We won’t be the Hot Tub Chemicals for Dummies, but more like the Cliff Notes version of hot tub water care and maintenance.

    What about Cheap Hot Tub Chemicals?There are cheap hot tub chemicals on the market, but looking closer at the label shows how diluted or watered down they might be.

    For instance the Spa Choice Bromine Tablets offers a higher concentration of effective sanitizer than cheap bromine which may only be 56% or less actual bromine chemical.

    So there is a difference between getting good spa chemicals at a discount online price and getting cheap chemicals where you just need to use more to get the same water balance.

    What Hot Tub Chemicals Do I Need? Understanding Spa Water Care Basics

    Whether you will start up a hot tub that is newly refilled or maintain existing water, these are the water care products you will need to keep the occupants and the spa safe.

    Fast answer: Refilling a Hot Tub

    1) Choose a sanitizer

    2) Adjust pH with either pH Up or pH Down – You will need 1 of each

    3) Test strips or water test kit – to measure sanitizer level, pH and alkalinity

    4) Shock treatment – to reactivate bromine or chlorine to sanitize the water better

    Additional answer – Maintaining Hot Tub Chemicals:

    It is important to understand the main chemicals needed first and then the water should, in most cases, be ready to use with proper pH and sanitizer level.

    CHEMICAL SETS

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    Why Use Hot Tub Chemicals

    Contents

    Hot tub chemicals are necessary to make sure your hot tub water is well-balanced and safe to use. Here are a few benefits that you may want to take note of:

    • Hot tub chemicals can sanitize the pool.
    • Hot tub chemicals can clean up dirt in the water.
    • Hot tub chemicals can make the water safe for you to use it.

    Hot Tub Maintenance Schedule

    Providing you run your pumps each day, clear out your filter units and sanitise your water, there isnt much you need to worry about. Cleaning a hot tub is likely easier than you first imagine. Keeping the water balance, for example, is one element of your schedule you need to attend to regularly, and certainly if you and your family or guests are going to keep using it. Otherwise, you never know what nastiness might be lurking in the water.

    A good garden hose and filter system arent enough. You need to be proactive about hot tub maintenance and how you treat your spa water! Otherwise, you could end up passing around all kinds of illnesses.

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    How To Check Your Sanitiser Level

    To test your sanitiser level dip a Happy Test Strip in the spa water about 12 inches/30cm under the water level, following the instructions on the test strip container, and compare the colour to the chart on the test strip bottle. .

    The amount of chemical in hot tubs is usually measured in PPM, which stands for Parts per Million. If you are a chlorine user, keep the chlorine level at between 3-5ppm. If you are a bromine user, try to keep your bromine level between 2-5ppm.

    Every hot tub owner uses his / her hot tub differently, so it is impossible to say how much sanitiser is required. Therefore we recommend that you test your sanitiser and PH level as often as possible and adjust accordingly, but you may wish to reduce these checks to every few days if you find your water doesnt need adjusting that often. However if your usage increases then return to daily checks.

    HAPPY HINT: Hold your test strip horizontally to avoid the colours running into each other!

    How Do You Clean Out A Hot Tub

    Chemicals for Hot Tub Start Up – Step-by-Step Instructions

    As well as sanitising your hot tub, you should take care of it by cleaning the water regularly, and by making sure the actual unit and cushioning are fit for purpose. It makes sense that, while your tub may be sanitary, it could still use a good clean every once in a while with an inflatable hot tub cleaner.

    For example, you could find hot tub foam appearing on the top of your water. The best way to handle this is to ask people to rinse their bathing clothes down before getting in as external detergents can settle easily on the water!

    Heres a quick look at how you can keep your water and your hot spa itself clean and safe to use.

    Here is a full guide on cleaning a mouldy inflatable hot tub so you never have to get in a dirty tub again. Have it back to its glistening self in no time!

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    Hot Tub Care For Dummies A Beginners Guide To Basic Upkeep

    In case you havent noticed, the world is going crazy for hot tubs. And why shouldnt they? Jacuzzis have been around for a long time, but its getting easier and easier to set up the perfect hot tub system at home. It doesnt matter if they are the high end models like these, or the cheaper tubs that we review. Its more affordable to run and look after a hot tub in 2022 than you might think.

    However, its worth remembering that youre doing more than just filling up a paddling pool. Good hot tub maintenance is crucial if youre going to get the best out of your jacuzzi for years to come.

    These are just some of the questions we will be answering in this article:

    Don’t Forget About Filters

    Most acrylic spas will have a cartridge filter system and hot tub pump. You should regularly check that your filtration system is in good working order at least once a week. Please note that when your hot tub cartridge filter is dirty, its performance will deteriorate. This can lead to dirty and potentially contaminated water.

    Usually, spa cartridges will need cleaning weekly , however, we would advise more regular cleaning if your hot tub is being used a lot. Other factors that can affect how often you should clean your filters are contaminants like grass, leaves, fake tanning products, body creams, make up, soaps and detergents.

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    What Chemicals Should I Put In My Hot Tub For The First Time

    Hot tubs are an amazing source of relaxation and leisure for people throughout the world. Whether you are using your brand new tub to relax tense muscles or just to simply destress from the day, you will want to make sure you are putting the right chemicals in the very first time you use it to ensure safety for you and your family.

    The chemicals you will need to start your hot tub include a pH increaser, pH decreaser, calcium hardness, a metal removal and a sanitiser. The chemicals have to go in a certain order for the process to work. Your final goal should be to balance your pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 and your alkalinity between 100-200 parts per million.

    If you just bought a brand new hot tub, chances are you are really excited about your new purchase and want to do everything you can to make it a safe and fun experience for you, your family and your guests. Keep reading to learn the exact chemicals, methods and tips for starting your hot tub for the first time.

    While the chemicals youll need to add to your spa will depend on your situation, a basic list of chemicals every spa owner should have includes:

    • Spa sanitiser such as bromine or chlorine.
    • A pH increaser and decreaser such as FreshWater® pH/Alkalinity Up and FreshWater® pH/Alkalinity Down
    • Spa shock solution, such as chlorine or MPS.

    S To Hot Tub Water Chemistry

    349 best images about Hot tubs to be comfort on Pinterest

    First, we need to fill the tub if you need help you can check out our video where we walk through the initial fill-up process. Along with our video, you can find information about the initial fill-up in your owners manual and at www.masterspas.com/resources.

    Once we’ve filled the hot tub, now it’s time to check the chemical levels. Now it’s important to note the quantities to apply can vary based on the size of your hot tub and the chemical concentration of the brand or product being used. You should know how many gallons of water your hot tub holds. This can be found on the model spec page in your owner’s manual and make sure you familiarize yourself with the recommended amount for the chemicals you plan to use, these should be directly on the bottle.

    The testing strips we’re using test all necessary levels at once, but depending on your test strips you may need individual testers for pH alkalinity calcium hardness and chlorine. It will save time if you can have the following chemicals on hand:

    • chlorine granules

    And now we wait 30 to 60 minutes before retesting. We’ll need to repeat this process until our alkalinity and pH levels are within the recommended ranges. And keep in mind that extremely high or low test results can take a while to get properly adjusted, keep working at it until your hot tub has reached the proper levels.

    For European countries, please refer to this Water Chemistry Guide for appropriate chemical levels per BS EN 17125:2018.

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    Balancing Your Hot Tubs Water

    Balancing your hot tub water is a vital part of being a good hot tub owner. The pH scale measures acidic and alkali conditions using a guide of 0-14. pH 7 is neutral, meaning anything below 7 is acidic, while a pH rating of above 7 gives you an alkaline reading.

    The ideal pH level for bromine is 7.0-7.4, and for chlorine, the ideal pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6. This is to ensure your spa equipment is protected and any friends and family who come to bathe can do so in comfort. If your pH level is incorrect, you will need to use more chlorine or bromine, as your chemicals won’t be as effective if your pH levels are not correct.

    Total Alkalinity & Ph

    TA is important. It is the measure of all the alkaline material in the water. Really, its an indicator of the ability of the water to resist changes in pH – the water’s buffering capacity.

    TA that’s too high is much less of a problem than too low. Always adjust TA first, then check your pH. Maintaining the proper TA will often bring the pH into line on its own.

    Balance Water chemistry by adjusting its TA and pH with compounds such as Alkalinity Increaser, pH Decrease and pH Increase.

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    Get The Best Hot Tub Maintenance For You

    Hot tubs provide a spa treatment in the comfort of your own home. But you need to maintain it. Understand hot tub chemicals and manage them well.

    You need to kill the bacteria in your water. You also need to maintain your pH levels. Purchase sanitizers to kill your bacteria, and use decreasers and increasers to control your pH.

    Test your water regularly. Store your chemicals in a secure location, and drain your water every three months.

    Go to the experts on hot tub maintenance and installation. Colorado Custom Spas are Denver and Castle Rock Colorados leading hot tub installers. Contact us today, or call us at 303-468-8827.

    Feel free to stop by and visit one of our store locations and we will be happy to help you learn more about hot tub chemicals and their proper usage.

    Hot Tub Water Treatment

    HOW TO … Balance Hot Tub Water Chemicals

    One side to hot tub ownership many people arent sure about, at least, to begin with, is how to handle chemicals. Keeping water clean in a hot tub is crucial. This is especially the case when youre going to be sharing it with other people! But do you know how to make the most of your hot tub water? What exactly does hot tub care involve?

    Lets take a look at some water basics, and consider how you can keep your water chemistry levels healthy throughout years of careful use.

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    Schedule Your Spa Maintenance With Ace Swim And Leisure

    All in all, using the three common hot tub chemicals can be a straightforward process. You can always consult professionals like the Ace Swim & Leisure team when in doubt.

    We have a large inventory of hot tub manuals for you to choose from so you can be sure your hot tub is getting the best treatments for its design.

    Were also experts on hot tub chemicals and maintenance. Our in-house staff will be happy to answer your questions and help you enjoy all the health benefits that hot tubs have to offer.

    And if we discover other ways to help make your hot tub experience better, were happy to order parts for you and do routine repairs at your request.

    How To Use Hot Tub Chemicals For Dummies

    Maintaining a hot tub isnât just about making sure that the parts, such as the hot tub filters or the hot tub cleaners, are working properly. You also have to check the chemicals in the hot tub and ensure that they are intact. Even if you prevent components from entering your tub with your hot tub cover, chemical reactions do tend to happen, and you need cleaning agents to help you balance out the changes in the water.

    Fortunately, you donât need to be very knowledgeable in chemistry to maintain your tub. All you need to know are: what chemicals are supposed to be used and how to use them. Here are a few things that you should know about using spa chemicals.

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