1. The Core Basics
Q: What are the 4 main aspects of hot tub chemistry that I should care about?
1. Sanitizer types (keeps water safe)
2. Total Alkalinity (TA) (buffers/stabilizes pH balance)
3. pH (how acidic/basic the water is)
4. Calcium Hardness (CH) (protects surfaces & equipment)
Ideal ranges:
- Chlorine or Bromine: 3–5 ppm
- pH: 7.2–7.8 (sweet spot ~7.4–7.6)
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 150–250 ppm (some guides say up to 400 ppm is fine for water care)
2. Sanitizer: Chlorine vs Bromine
Q: Which is better for a hot tub, chlorine or bromine?
Chlorine – pros:
- Works fast and is a very effective sanitizer, making it a popular choice for maintaining hot tub chemistry.
- Cheap and easy to find, allowing for straightforward water care.
- Familiar and widely used, ensuring many users are comfortable with its application.
Chlorine – cons:
- The smell can be stronger if not managed well, which may detract from the experience.
- Breaks down faster in hot water than bromine, requiring careful attention to pH balance and sanitizer types.
- Can be more irritating if levels swing a lot, affecting overall enjoyment.
Bromine – pros:
- More stable in hot water, making it great for hot tubs where temperature contributes to water chemistry.
- Less “chlorine pool” smell, providing a more pleasant environment.
- Stays active longer and is gentler for some people, which can be beneficial for sensitive skin.
Bromine – cons:
- Usually more expensive, which may impact your overall water care budget.
- Slower to build up levels at the start, requiring some patience.
- Once you choose bromine, you generally stay with bromine in the same tub unless you drain and start over.
Bottom line: 98% of our customers use the Care Free System for its simplicity in managing calcium hardness and ensuring optimal hot tub chemistry.
3. pH: Why It Matters
Q: What happens if my pH is too low or too high in my hot tub?
*pH too low (below 7.2):
- Water is more acidic, which can irritate eyes and skin.
- It may also corrode metal parts and the heater, affecting your overall hot tub chemistry.
*pH too high (above 7.8):
- Water feels dull or cloudy, leading to poor water care.
- Scale buildup can occur on the shell, heater, and jets, which can affect calcium hardness.
- Additionally, your sanitizer types (like chlorine or bromine) become less effective, and you may notice a “ring” or rough surfaces that can damage seals over time.
Q: How do I adjust pH correctly?
Test your water with strips or a test kit to determine the pH balance.
- If pH is low, add pH Plus.
- If pH is high, add pH Minus.
- Always add in small amounts, let it circulate for 20–30 minutes, and then retest for accuracy.
⚠️ Tip: Always adjust Total Alkalinity first before fine-tuning your pH for optimal hot tub chemistry.
4. Total Alkalinity
Q: What does alkalinity actually do in hot tub chemistry?
Think of Total Alkalinity (TA) as a shock absorber for pH balance:
Low TA → pH bounces all over the place, making it difficult to maintain stability in your water care routine.
High TA → pH is hard to move, often creeping upward, which can affect sanitizer types and overall water quality.
Q: What if my TA is off?
Low TA (<80 ppm):
- pH swings a lot, making it challenging to keep stable.
- Can be corrosive to equipment over time, impacting your hot tub's calcium hardness.
High TA (>120–150 ppm):
- pH is hard to adjust, complicating your water care efforts.
- Increases the risk of scaling and cloudy water, which can detract from your hot tub experience.
Q: How do I adjust TA?
To raise TA: add Resist.
To lower TA: add pH Minus or Relent.
Aerate the water (run jets, blowers) to help pH rise back while TA gradually comes down, ensuring that your hot tub chemistry remains balanced.
5. Calcium Hardness
Q: Why does calcium hardness matter?
Too low calcium hardness (CH < 150 ppm): Water becomes 'hungry' and can pull minerals from metal parts and surfaces, leading to corrosion or etching.
Too high calcium hardness (CH > 300–400 ppm): This can result in scale forming on the heater, jets, and waterline, causing cloudy water and rough surfaces, which can disrupt overall hot tub chemistry.
Q: How do I adjust calcium hardness?
To raise calcium hardness: use a Protect product.
To lower calcium hardness: There isn’t a simple chemical 'decreaser' specifically for calcium. Typically, the best method is to dilute the water by partially draining and refilling with softer water to maintain proper pH balance and ensure effective sanitizer types are utilized in your water care routine.
6. Shock: What, Why, How Often?
Q: What does “shocking” the hot tub mean?
“Shock” refers to adding a strong oxidizer to:
- Burn off organic contaminants (like body oils, sweat, and lotions)
- Clear up dull or slightly cloudy water, which can be affected by water care practices
- Reduce chloramine/bromamine levels (the smelly combined sanitizer types)
Types of shock include:
- CareFree Boost
- CareFree
- Ultra Shock
- Clean & Clear
Q: How often should I shock?
For typical use, it’s recommended to shock 1× per week. You may need to do it more often if:
- There is heavy usage of the hot tub
- You have parties or guests
- You notice a strong smell or slight cloudiness in the water, which could also indicate imbalances in calcium hardness or pH balance
Always run the pumps with the cover open when shocking, and be sure to follow the label doses for optimal hot tub chemistry.
7. Foam, Cloudiness & Smell
Q: Why is my hot tub foamy?
Common causes:
- Soap from swimsuits, detergents, or shampoo
- Body lotions, hair products, and deodorant
- Low calcium hardness or imbalanced water chemistry
- Old or dirty water, especially close to change time
What to do:
- Scoop large foam with a skimmer.
- Check and balance the pH, TA, and calcium hardness.
- Shock the tub to restore proper sanitizer levels.
- Clean or replace filters to improve filtration.
- If foam returns quickly and the water is old, it’s best to drain and refill.
Q: Why is my water cloudy?
- High pH level or high TA
- A combination of high calcium and high pH leading to scaling or precipitation
- Poor filtration due to dirty or old filters
- Not enough sanitizer or shock treatment
Fix:
- Test and balance your hot tub chemistry.
- Shock the water to boost sanitizer levels.
- Run the filtration system longer, including the jets.
- Clean filters thoroughly to ensure proper water care.
- If the problem persists, consider a partial or full drain and refill.
Q: Why does it smell strong, like a public pool?
That “chlorine smell” is often due to combined chlorine or bromine, indicating:
- Not enough fresh sanitizer in the system
- A shock treatment is needed, rather than reducing chlorine or bromine levels
Do:
- Shock the tub to eliminate odors.
- Ensure sanitizer types are within the correct range.
- Open the cover to allow gases to vent.
8. Draining & Refilling
Q: How often should I change all the water in my hot tub?
General rule of thumb:
About every 3–4 months
Change sooner if:
- Chemistry is constantly hard to control due to calcium hardness issues
- There is a persistent smell or cloudiness affecting your hot tub chemistry
- There is heavy use or lots of bathers impacting pH balance
When refilling:
- Fill through the filter area
- Once full, run the pumps to purge air.
- Add Eliminate if you have hard water, as it helps with water care.
- Then follow the Beachcomber Start-up sheet you received with your tub regarding sanitizer types.