Swing by if you are in Lethbridge for a FREE water test and details on how to have perfectly balanced water! For best results bring a 250ml sample of your water into Backyard Leisure for a FREE Custom Computer Analysis.
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How do I maintain the water in my hot tub?
Looking after the water in your hot tub can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. While there is a bit of a learning curve you’ll find that if you follow certain procedures on a regular basis it will soon become a piece of cake. Check out the instructions in this handy post we’ve written, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying your hot tub experience.
This post will guide you through both the Mineraluxe as well as the Care Free system. Certain parts of maintenance will be the same for both. As an example, balancing alkalinity, pH, bromine/chlorine, and calcium levels are the same regardless of which system you are using.
How do I read my hot tub test strips and know what to do next?
Reading your test strips and then knowing what to do next can often be confusing. The following links will take you to a guide that should help you make sense of your readings and indicate what to do next. Test Strip Guide for Bromine Users Test Strip Guide for Chlorine Users
How can I reduce the use of chemicals in my hot tub?
This is probably the question we hear the most. Along with our customers we are always looking for the best ways to keep your hot tub water Safe, Clean, and Easy to use.
Our favorite product on the market today is Mineraluxe by Backyard Brands. It is a wonderful system that takes into consideration your family’s needs. It is simple, luxurious, and healthier than other systems. Its premeasured weekly doses make it easy to use. The mineral components create crystal clear and gentle-on-the-skin water that you won’t get anywhere else.
More details on using the Mineraluxe system can be found here. We also offer options like ClearTech UV sanitizer systems, Nature2 Spa Cartridges and Ozone systems that are beneficial in decreasing chemical use.
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
Cloudy water can be caused by a number of different factors including low sanitizer, heavy usage, poor filtration or improperly balanced water chemistry.
- Start by checking your filter to ensure it is clean and allowing water to filter freely. We usually recommend rinsing your filter off weekly and soaking it in a filter cleaner like Filter Pure once a month.
- Test the water balances and adjust as necessary. Cloudy water can be caused by low sanitizer (Chlorine or Bromine), as well as imbalanced pH or Alkalinity. When adjusting always follow the ABC’s – start with Alkalinity, then Bromine or Chlorine and finally pH.
- If everything is balanced well and the filter is clean the next step is to use a clarifier like Pure Blue or Nature Sheen. These products help to clean up cloudy water and get you back to enjoying crystal clear water faster.
Here’s another great article on dealing with cloudy hot tub water.
If you have any questions at all don’t hesitate to come in and talk to one of our Water Care Experts here in the store. We offer FREE custom computer analysed water tests to all of our customers and are happy to help you find the best solution for your situation.
How do I get rid of that smell in my hot tub?
Strong smells from the hot tub can be a result of a few problems including sanitizer levels that are too low or too high, low pH or Alkalinity, or combined chlorines (also known as chloramines). Start by testing the water either at home or here in the store. (Note that some home kits do not test for combined chlorine) Always adjust Alkalinity first, then Bromine or Chlorine, and finally pH. If the smell persists you may want to consider a shock process on your hot tub. There are two ways to shock the tub:
- non-chlorine shock treatments like CareFree, Amaze or Mineraluxe Oxygen, or
- chlorinate shock treatments like CareFree Boost.
For instructions on shock treatments visit us in-store or call to discuss proper doses/adjustments.
How often should I change out the water in my hot tub?
This depends largely on use. The average hot tub owner will change their water 3-4 times a year. As the water gets high in TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) it has a harder time staying balanced and clear. It is recommended to change your water out once it hits 1500-1800ppm in TDS.
This is something that we do test for our clients FREE of charge in our in-store lab. Come by any time for a custom computer analysis of your water.
Why do I need to test for hot tub water Alkalinity?
Alkalinity acts as the buffer for pH. Often clients who come in and say they are constantly fighting pH imbalances are not aware of the important role that alkalinity plays. When adjusting your water we recommend that you follow the ABC’s, Alkalinity, Bromine or Chlorine, and finally pH. If your alkalinity is low, no matter how much you adjust your pH it will just continue to drop out. Alkalinity ideally should be kept between 100-150 in hot tubs.
Our in-store water care experts would be happy to help answer any questions you have, run a FREE custom computer analysis of your water, or help you find a test kit that will work best for your needs.
How often should I clean and or replace my hot tub filter?
There are a couple types of filters including, reusable cartridge filters, disposable filters and sand filters. All three are designed to filter the debris from the water as it passes through. The most commonly used filters in residential hot tubs are the cartridge filters. These should be rinsed off approximately once a week and once a month soaked overnight in a cleaning solution like Filter Pure to help release oils and lotions.
Why do I get a rash after using my hot tub?
Rashes can be caused by a number of different factors including but not limited to, high or low sanitizer, improperly balanced alkalinity or pH, bacteria, heat, etc… Unfortunately it is a bit of a trial and error to determine what is causing the rash. You can visit your Doctor and discuss options or come in and talk to a water care expert in the store. Start by testing the water and ensuring safe water balances.
Next try to recall if there was anything you did differently this time that may have caused a different reaction. Sometimes switching from chlorine to bromine or vice versa can cause problems. Other times it might be that you had a group of friends over and the tub had heavier than normal usage but didn’t get heaver than normal sanitizer treatments.
In many cases we have found that individuals who struggle with hot tub rashes are given relief when they switch over to the Mineraluxe system.
