Chlorine is an essential component of hot tub maintenance. It helps keep the water clean and reduces bacteria, which can cause illnesses and skin irritations.
While it's safe to use in swimming pools, liquid chlorine should never be applied to hot tubs. Yes, the products are similar, but there are a number of important differences between hot tubs and swimming pools.
Because a hot tub has significantly less volume there is a much lower concentration of chlorine in the water. Substituting pool chemicals in your hot tub could cause significant damage to your filters, pumps and jets.
TABLET ADDITIONS CHLORINE:
2-3 TABLETS FOR 200-300 GALLON SPAS. 3-4 TABLETS FOR 300-450 GALLON SPAS. OVER 4 TABLETS ONLY IF HEAVY USE OR PROBLEM SPA. THE FLOATER SETTING SHOULD BE 2” TO 3” OPEN FOR BROMINE.
You should never use pool chlorine in your spa. Pool chlorine is designed for cold water. It burns off in higher temperatures so will not work in a warm spa or swim spa. You should always use a chlorine sanitiser that is designed specifically for spas pools, swim spas or plunge pools.
Remember – chemicals used to treat a pool or hot tub are not the same. They are designed specifically for a pool OR for a hot tub. Using chemicals designed for a pool – a large body of water – in your spa can damage your hot tub.
Alternatives to chlorine: Bromine
Bromine has a similar oxidising effect as chlorine (it is actually an ioniser but we are splitting hairs). Therefore, it not only kills bugs but it also clears the water. Bromine doesn't have the immediate impact that chlorine does but tends to last in the water longer.
Each person using the hot tub introduces bacteria, oils, and other contaminants that can build up over time, so adding chlorine after each use helps kill harmful microorganisms and keep the water balanced.
How long after putting chlorine in can you get in a hot tub? You should allow about 30 minutes minimum after adding chlorine before you enter the water. Also, after adding chlorine, ensure that you leave the hot tub cover off to allow the chemical vapors and chlorine smell to escape.
Although this might seem like a good idea and you might be in a pinch because you ran out of your current sanitizer, the answer is no. Household bleach is made from chlorine but it is much different then products that are specifically designed for hot tubs and spas.
When you go into a hot tub with chlorine or bromine levels above 3 ppm, it's normal for you to begin noticing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing. Hot tubs with very high chlorine levels may result in chlorine poisoning, which could cause unwanted health issues.
The chemicals you will need to start your hot tub include a pH increaser, pH decreaser, calcium hardness, a metal removal (if using water from rainwater tanks or bore) and a sanitiser. The chemicals have to go in a certain order for the process to work.
How much chlorine should I add to my hot tub? Aim to maintain a chlorine level of 3 to 5mg/l at all times. How frequently you add more chlorine will depend on your usage and bathing habits. It could be daily, every two to three days or weekly.
Of the three non-chlorine sanitation options, salt is perhaps the frontrunner. This is because salt can be used to gently generate chlorine. An example is in Hot Springs FreshWater™ Salt System, which uses clever chemistry, in the form of a titanium cartridge, to create all-natural chlorine.
In certain cases, doctors will recommend that you stay away from your hot tub entirely until your lungs have a chance to heal. In many cases, by doing this, your lungs will be able to heal and repair themselves. In other cases, further treatment is required.
How long can hot tub water sit untreated? You can skip water treatment for your hot tub for about 2 to 3 weeks before it would no longer be safe for you to soak in. No sanitizing chemicals means you putting yourself at risk of contamination.
A post-soak shower is a good idea because it allows you to rinse off any chemical residue, protect your skin from dryness and cool off after being exposed to warm temperatures. Aside from these benefits, the contrast of the hot tub's warmth and the coolness of the shower will leave you with a soothing feeling.
This is one of the most overlooked things we hear about. You want your hot tub to be switched on with the jets (not the air blower) active when you add your chemicals. This will mean they mix in well with the water. A lot of people add their chemicals and then put the lid back on.
Generally it is recommended that you shock your hot tub once a week – more often if it's seeing heavy use. If your levels are all good, but the water is a bit cloudy or doesn't quite smell right, it's time for a shock.
With average use, your hot tub should be drained and refilled about once every three or four months. But since everyone uses their hot tub differently, the answer can vary based on how many people use it and how often. Hot tub manufacturers like Jacuzzi offer some handy tips for figuring out when to drain and refill.
Chlorine tablets are very cost effective and arguably the cheapest way to kill bacteria in a hot tub. Tablets offer a good solution for those who don't use a hot tub for period as they ensure chlorine is dispensed slowly over time.
Some hot tub owners try to correct the pH with common household chemicals, like white vinegar or baking soda. However, this is generally not a good idea. Vinegar and baking soda can interact with other dissolved solids to cause scaling. It can also lead to strange odours in your hot tub.
Epsom salts are said to have a myriad of health benefits, but they'll do more harm than good to your spa pool. Its chemical components can corrode metal parts and possibly damage your swim spa's filters, pumps, and heater.