While it's safe to use in swimming pools, liquid chlorine should never be applied to hot tubs.
How Much Chlorine Should I Add to my hot tub? A chlorine level of between 3-5mg/l must be maintained in your hot tub at all times. The addition of chlorine will depend upon usage and bathing habits. It could be daily or every 2-3 days (for 1mg/l add 2g per 1000 litres).
For a 300 gallon spa, 0.7 oz of Chlorine Granules shaken over the water surface, will raise the chlorine level up to about 10 ppm. This should be done with a balanced pH (in the low range of 7.2-7.4), and with the circulation pump running on high to help distribute the shock quickly.
Pool chemicals are also stronger than spa chemicals, and using them in your spa or hot tub can cause damage to the tub and equipment. It's especially important to monitor pH levels in hot tubs since high pH - a common problem for hot tubs - can lessen the effectiveness of chlorine and bromine.
The best chlorine for your hot tub is sodium dichlor. In granule form, sprinkle them over the surface of the water after each use.
How Long do Chlorine Tablets Last in a Hot Tub? Small 20g chlorine tablets will dissolve slowly over a period of 3-7 days depending on water flow, water temperature and hot tub usage.
People should not get in the spa if the chlorine levels are out of range. Your total chlorine should be between 2 and 4 ppm. When you are finished enjoying the hot tub or swim spa, treat the water to maintain proper pH and chlorine levels.
So although you cannot run a hot tub without chemicals, you can run a hot tub without the harsh effects of chemicals with Silk Balance. Please note - you must drain your hot tub and flush out the pipes with Clean Start if you are switching your existing water to Silk Balance for the first time.
Bleach as a hot tub shock
Bleach is our #1 choice if you want to bathe chemical free faster. We love this because it is designed to evaporate quickly which means it will do the job and leave. Choose non-scented and without additives. Household bleach will raise the pH level because it has a very high pH of 13.
We recommend that you allow the sanitizer levels to break down naturally. But if you have to use your hot tub, then you can add sodium thiosulfate to the water. Sodium thiosulfate will break down both chlorine and bromine in your water. This will lower the bromine or chlorine levels fast so you can soak sooner.
Can I add shock and chlorine at the same time? No, you should not add shock and chlorine at the same time. The best thing to do is add spa shock treatment first and allow that to work, then test and add chlorine if needed.
Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
How long do I need to wait after shocking my hot tub? There isn't a set period you need to wait before using your hot tub after a shock treatment, however, it is essential to test the water to ensure the chlorine levels are safe. Recommendations vary with ranges between 20 minutes and 24 hours.
On average, you should aim to completely drain it about three to four times a year. Lucky for you, the time it takes to drain your hot tub is usually around an hour or so. One hour of time spent cleaning roughly four times a year is only four hours of your time to ensure that you are resting in a sanitary hot tub.
They are designed to maintain your tub's water long-term and keep your system running smoothly. While using baking soda to give it a little boost is great and done widely by hot tub users of all experience levels, it is not intended as a long-term replacement, just a little helping hand when you're in need.
Shocking a spa means applying an ample dose of chlorine (sodium dichlor) or non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate or MPS). One purpose of this treatment is to break-down organic waste contaminants which cause odor and cloudy water. After treatment, water quality and clarity is often completely restored.
If you are looking to disinfect your spa, we're sorry to say that bleach has virtually no disinfecting abilities if chlorine is present in the water. To make matters even worse, bleach will likely throw off the pH of your water and lead to dry, itchy skin for users.
If you do not want to put any chemicals in to your hot tub, no problem. But you must drain down and refill after each use and ensure that the water is never in the spa for more than 12 hours!
Chlorine works faster to kill contaminants but for a shorter period of time, as it dissipates faster. Bromine kills contaminants more slowly but for a longer period of time; plus, it can help keep water chemistry more balanced due to its low pH, meaning less chemical adjusting is needed.
In spa water measuring 37 C (98.6 F), some mesophilic bacteria, which are often those that cause disease in humans, can reproduce in as little as 14 minutes (see Figure 4).
Foam will appear if the pH balance of your hot tub water is off. This is caused by using cheap chemicals or inaccurately mixing them. Water with low calcium or too much pH or alkaline can lead to cloudy water. If you use your hot tub frequently, you yourself could be causing foam to appear.
Causes of cloudy hot tub water. When it comes to cloudy water, it's likely one of a few culprits — high pH, high alkalinity, and low sanitizer. Dirty filters, body care products, and old water can also be responsible for cloudy water.
While it may sound like common sense to turn your hot tub down every time it is not in use, it's actually better to maintain a constant soaking temperature, which is typically around 100° Fahrenheit for many people.