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Hot Tub Water Quality

Keeping Your Spa Water Clear And Fresh

Important! Keep the spa covered when not in use!

This information is for new spa owners with no experience with water chemistry. Everyone’s experience with maintaining water quality is different, but there are some general concepts you need to know.

Water maintenance is not difficult, although it requires regular attention. The most important thing to understand about taking care of your spa water is that preventive action is much easier than correcting water quality issues.

Excellent water quality is a simple matter of four things:

1. Chemical Balance

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Chemical Balance You will need to test and adjust the chemical balance of your spa water. Although this is not difficult, it needs to be done regularly. Depending on your choice of sanitizer, you need to test the level of calcium hardness, total alkalinity, and pH. Spa owners with a Cal Clarity II bromine generator also need to check total dissolved solids and phosphates.

Click here to learn how to balance your water chemistry.

2. Sanitation

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Sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water clean. A low sanitizer level will allow microbes to grow quickly in the spa water. We recommend using either chlorine or bromine as your sanitizer.

Spa owners with an ozonator or the Pure Cure system also need to add sanitizer, although their requirements are different.

Learn how to use sanitizer

The Cal Clarity II bromine generator can NOT be used with chlorine.Click here to learn how it is used.

3. Filtration

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Cleaning your filter regularly is the easiest and most effective single thing you can do to keep your water clear. A clogged or dirty filter will cause the heater and pump to work harder than they need to, possibly causing them to fail.

The spa’s heating system will only function with the proper amount of water flow through the system.

Click here for filter cleaning instructions.

4. Regularity

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Clear water requires regular maintenance. Establish a routine based on a regular schedule for your spa water maintenance.

Maintaining your water quality helps the enjoyment of your spa and extends your spa’s life by preventing damage from neglect and chemical abuse.

Click here for the schedule of recommended maintenance.

5. Water Tempature

Water quality in a hot tub is influenced by various factors, including water temperature, which plays a crucial role in ensuring both comfort and safety for users. The recommended hot tub temperature typically ranges between 100°F and 104°F (37°C to 40°C). This range strikes a balance between relaxation and safety, with the best temperature for a hot tub often depending on personal preference and external factors like ambient weather conditions. While some users may prefer the lower end of the spectrum for a milder soak, others find the higher end of the range to be more therapeutic.

The best temp for a hot tub also needs to consider the safety of those using it. For instance, people with certain medical conditions, like heart problems or high blood pressure, may need to keep the temperature lower to avoid overheating. Additionally, it's important to adjust the temperature based on who will be using the hot tub—children and pregnant women, for example, are generally advised to stay in cooler water, around 98°F (36.5°C).

Maintaining the ideal water temperature not only enhances comfort but also helps preserve water quality. Warmer water temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions, making it more important to monitor sanitizer levels to avoid bacterial growth. This is why it’s essential to regularly test and adjust the water chemistry, especially if the temperature stays at the upper end of the recommended hot tub temperature range.