November 2011
-
Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
-
How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
Subscribe to POOLlife Now!
Sign up today to get the latest pool articles, recipes and promotions sent straight to your inbox each month.
or
Find a Dealer
Find out where to buy our pool or spa care products near you.
Ask a Pool Pro
Do you have a pool care question? Submit your questions and each month we'll pick one to answer on our blog.
For immediate response, please call our Customer Care Center (800) 222-2348
Related Articles
Hot tubs can be the ideal medium for recreation, entertainment and stress relief. And with the proper water treatment program, your hot tub experience can be even more beneficial and relaxing. But it’s important to remember that treating hot tub water should be different than treating pool water, says April Nielsen, Arch Chemicals’ national accounts manager.
Hot tub water should be treated differently for three reasons:
- Higher Temperature. The high temperatures of hot tub water can cause faster chemical reactions and evaporation rates. “Chlorine is less stable in hot water, which makes it more challenging to keep the water sanitized and free of odors,” Nielsen says.
- Smaller Volume. Two people in a 500-gallon hot tub would be equivalent to 60 people in a 15,000-gallon pool. “The bather load is much higher per gallon of water in hot tubs, which can also provide a challenge to more traditional sanitizers,” Nielsen says. The larger bather load can cause sanitizer levels to decrease more quickly in hot tubs than in pools.
- Aeration. “The aeration of a hot tub affects the water chemistry, requiring more frequent adjustments to pH,” Nielsen says.
For these reasons, hot tubs owners should treat their water with products made specifically for hot tubs. Using products that are chlorine-free and bromine-free are key to reducing odors and irritation to skin and eyes. One chlorine-free, bromine-free option is the BAQUASpa® System. This weekly program helps you take care of your hot tub water in three simple steps:
Step 1: PREVENT waterline deposits with BAQUASpa Waterline Control.
Step 2: CLARIFY with BAQUASpa Oxidizer for sparkling, clear water.
Step 3: SANITIZE with BAQUASpa Sanitizer with Stain & Scale Control.
“A polymer sanitizer such as BAQUASpa is an excellent choice for hot tub use,” says Nielsen, adding that it requires no feeder, floater or equipment, has no odor and is gentle on the skin.
Another chlorine-free, bromine-free option for hot tubs is the three-step Brilliance® for spas System, which is also a weekly program:
Step 1: ENHANCE with Brilliance Scale Control with Soy Protein.
Step 2: OXIDIZE with Brilliance Oxidizer with Mineral Salts.
Step 3: SANITIZE with Brilliance Sanitizer.
Ask your local pool dealer about these products and more.
With a maintenance program created specifically for your hot tub, you’ll keep your water healthy and sparkling for an enjoyable, soothing experience. For step-by-step instructions on caring for your hot tub water, read “Immaculate Spas.”
