Maintaining your water chemistry is the most critical task for any hot tub or swim spa owner. When your water is balanced, your spa’s components, from the internal pumps to the head pillows, will last significantly longer.
This guide serves as your go-to reference. Always follow the specific instructions on your chemical packaging to ensure you apply the correct measurements for your specific spa model.
Understanding pH Levels
The pH level measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. If this balance is off, you may experience a variety of issues that affect both the machinery and your comfort.
Common issues with low pH (Acidic):
- Corrosion of vital hot tub and spa components.
- Irritation to the eyes and skin.
Common issues with high pH (Alkaline):
- Scale build up around the shell and internal plumbing, which can cause jets to malfunction.
- Cloudy or murky water.
- Irritation to the eyes and skin.
What is the ideal pH level?
It is vital to keep your pH between 7.4 and 7.6. This is the optimum range that allows your sanitisers to work at their highest efficiency.
How to test and adjust your pH
To test the level, dip a test strip into the water for a few seconds. Compare the resulting colour to the chart on the side of the test strip container.
- If the pH is below 7.4: You need to raise it by adding pH Plus (Alkali). Wait four hours after adding before retesting to see if further adjustment is required.
- If the pH is above 7.8: You need to lower it by adding pH Minus (Dry Acid). Again, wait four hours before retesting to gauge the new level.
Top Tip: Always calculate your dosage based on the total water volume of your spa as indicated on the chemical bottle.
Mineral Testing and the HydroClear System
Many owners prefer to avoid chlorine due to its strong odour and its tendency to strip natural oils from the skin and hair, leading to dryness and split ends.
Instead, we recommend a mineral system with advanced oxidisation: the HydroClear Pure Water System. When using this system, you will test for copper levels.
Important: You must balance your pH levels before testing minerals. If the pH is outside the recommended range, your copper reading will be inaccurate.
How to test minerals
Check the copper levels using a copper dipstick or the copper tablets provided in your test kit.
- Target Level: 0.7
- If the reading is 0.7 or above: No action is required.
- If the reading is below 0.7: Add minerals in 10ml intervals, checking daily until you reach the target level.
Non-Chlorine Shock
Non-chlorine shock is used to oxidise the water, removing contaminants and clearing up cloudiness.
- When to use: Apply once a week when the pool is in active use, or once every four weeks during periods of non-use.
- Application: Add the shock after bathing has finished. You can resume bathing just 15 minutes after application.
- Dosage: The standard dose rate is 200g per 10,000 litres of water. Pour it into an area with good water movement or spread it evenly over the surface.
Regular maintenance ensures your spa remains a clean, safe, and relaxing environment for years to come.
