Using Chemicals With Your Hot Tub

By Author: Congratulations! You are the owner of a hot tub!
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Congratulations! You are the owner of a hot tub! Your tub can provide you with limitless hours of relaxation, but nothing good comes without some work. In order to get the ideal experience out of your hot tub, you will need to mind its chemical balance.

The following article addresses tips for using chemicals with your hot tub.

Hot Tub Tip 1 - Sanitizers

Sanitizers are very important in regards to keeping your hot tub clean. The hot tub sanitizer kills any bacteria and germs existing in the water. Bromine, a chemical with a fainter smell than chlorine, can also be used to sanitize your hot tub.

Hot Tub Tip 2 - pH Levels

Unlike a bath tub, a hot tub is not drained after each use. This means that an owner must keep a vigilant watch on the balance of the water to maintain sanitation standards. To keep the hot tub water clean, the water must be tested, and chemicals need to be added to achieve the desired level of cleanliness. The pH level of a hot tub needs attention. Hot tub test strips are available for this purpose. For most hot tubs, the pH level should be somewhere a bit above 7 ...
... (7.2 - 7.8).

Hot Tub Tip 3 - Total Alkalinity

Total alkalinity (TA) measures the hot tub water's ability to neutralize acidic pH levels within. If your pH level is too high (counterintuitive, but would reflect a low pH number), then an alkalinity increaser would be warranted.

Hot Tub Tip 4 - Shock Treatment

The water in a hot tub needs to be oxidized or shocked. A hot tub clarifier is used in conjunction with sanitizers to rid the tub of any latent bacteria, as well as facilitates the optimal operation of the filter. Sanitizing is not enough to completely clean your hot tub; clarifiers finish the job of the sanitizers.

Hot Tub Tip 5 - Think Ahead

Proper cleaning of your hot tub is a necessity. You will need a chemical kit to start. Most retailers offer accessories like chlorine, filters, test strips, etc. Depending on your model and usage, you may eventually need to stagger your purchase of accessories, but to start it would be most economical to purchase a start-up kit.