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Chemical Guide

WATER CARE AND CHEMICAL GUIDE

Keeping your hot tub water clean and hygienic is essential to the safe running of your hot tub. The spa equipment must be frequently cleaned and the water chemical balance checked daily with testing strips.

Unbalanced chemicals can allow build ups of bacteria or limescale or even cause skin irritations so ensuring these are well balanced is the responsibility of the hot tub owner.

BALANCING THE
HOT TUB CHEMICALS

It is important to test your water with Testing Strips every day, especially before the hot tub is used. Testing strips are coloured pads used for measuring Bromine/Chlorine, pH and Total Alkalinity levels in the hot tub water. 

First run the jets to ensure the hot tub water is well mixed. Then, dip one testing strip in the water, watch the colour change and compare the colour of the pads to the coloured squares on the testing strip container.

If the coloured pads match the colour of the square patches of the container’s OK Zone, no chemicals need adding. 

If the coloured pads are different to the OK Zone, add small amounts of chemicals, run the jets and retest until they are balanced. 

Remember that when adding ANY chemical, you need to open all jets and run the pumps at high speed with open cover for at least 15 minutes. This allows the product to dissolve properly.

CHEMICAL GUIDE

This chemical guide covers any potential problems with your hot tub water and offers the right chemicals and solutions to easily keep it sparkling clean.

Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity (TA) levels directly impact the pH levels, as TA affects water to resist changes in the pH levels. For that reason, TA should always be balanced before the pH.

If TA is too high and you live in a hard water area, add a Scale inhibitor. Otherwise, add a pH minus product.

If TA is too low and you live in a soft water area, add a Hardness Increaser. Otherwise, add a TA Increaser.

When testing TA using the testing strips, the recommended total alkalinity is 80 – 120 ppm.

pH

Low pH levels means the hot tub water is more acidic and can cause skin irritations and damage to the spa parts. To regulate a low pH, you should add a pH Plus product.

High pH level can lead to unclear water and can cause scale. In the case of a high pH levels, a pH Minus product should be added.

When testing pH using the testing strips, the recommended pH is 7.2 – 7.6.

Chlorine / Bromine

Both chlorine and bromine are sanitisers that reduce bacteria in your spa. To measure chlorine/bromine levels use testing strips appropriate to the sanitiser you use, as bromine testing strips differ from chlorine ones.

Remember to top up your sanitiser frequently, as a lengthy use of the spa may lower the sanitiser levels faster.

Non-Chlorine Water Shock

Non-chlorine shock is an oxidising agent which breaks down oils, detergents and lotions in the water and complements the use of santisiers such as chlorine which are very effective on bacteria but are less effective as an oxidiser. 

Use Non-Chlorine Water Shock, after balancing the pH, alkalinity and sanitiser levels when filling your hot tub with fresh water or to improve water clarity.

It is possible to use large amounts of Chlorine or a Chlorine Shock to oxidise the water but this uses more chemicals and can leave the hot tub smelling strongly of Chlorine.

Anti-Foam

Foamy water can be caused by cosmetic products such as body oils, fake tan, make up, hair conditioner or other hair products that get into the water in your spa. Pour a capful of the Anti-Foam product around the edges of your tub to reduce the foam. 

If you shower before using your tub and avoid using detergents on swimwear, this will reduce the chance of getting foamy water

Water Clarifiers

Milky, green water can be caused by unbalanced chemicals or body products that get into the hot tub. Follow instructions on the Water Clarifier product packaging to clean your spa.

Anti-Scale

Anti-Scale reduces the build-up of scale and any staining it may cause. It is especially useful for hot tubs located in a hard-water area.