If you’re a new hot tub owner, knowing which chemicals to add during the initial setup is crucial for maintaining clean and safe water. This guide outlines the steps and considerations for balancing the water chemistry in your hot tub.

Steps to Add Chemicals to Your Hot Tub

1. Fill Your Hot Tub with Water

  • Ensure the water level meets the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Run the pump for at least an hour to circulate the water.

2. Test the Water Chemistry

Use chemical testing strips or kits to measure the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine/bromine levels. These readings will help determine which chemicals to add.

3. Balance the Alkalinity

  • Ideal Range: 100–120 ppm.
  • Low Alkalinity: Add an alkalinity increaser.
  • High Alkalinity: Use a pH decreaser, which lowers both pH and alkalinity.

Note: Always balance alkalinity before adjusting the pH.

4. Balance the pH Levels

  • Ideal Range: 7.2–7.6.
  • Low pH: Add a pH increaser.
  • High pH: Use a pH decreaser.

Proper pH balance ensures sanitizers work effectively and prevents scaling or corrosion in the hot tub.

5. Add a Sanitizer

Sanitizers kill bacteria and germs in the water. Choose between:

  • Chlorine: Maintain levels of 3–5 ppm. Chlorine provides effective sanitization but may have a noticeable chemical smell.
  • Bromine: Maintain levels of 3–5 ppm. Bromine is gentler on the skin and doesn’t emit a strong odor. Available as tablets or liquid.

Tip: After adding sanitizer, let the water circulate for 15 minutes before retesting the levels.

Ongoing Maintenance

  • Regularly test and adjust chemical levels to ensure water remains clean and safe.
  • Follow the dosage instructions on chemical containers based on your hot tub’s water capacity.
  • Replace the water if it becomes cloudy or difficult to balance.

Conclusion

Adding the correct chemicals in the proper order is key to maintaining a sanitized hot tub. Balancing alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer levels ensures a safe and enjoyable soaking experience. Remember, hot tub water requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to remain in top condition.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment, and our team will assist you!

References:

  1. Master Spas: How to Balance Hot Tub Water Chemistry