In general, 2 teaspoons of chlorine per 200 gallons diluted in water and poured into a circulating tub will generally help raise chlorine levels quite quickly without overdoing it. You should test your chlorine levels every few days and adjust as needed.
The benefit of chlorine tablets is that the tablets slowly dissolve over time so therefore you have a supply of chlorine entering the water over a period. Chlorine granules however must be added so there is a higher risk that levels may drop if the hot tub is not attended to, adding risk of bacteria growth.
A chlorine level of between 3-5mg/l must be maintained in your hot tub at all times. The addition of chlorine will depend upon usage and bathing habits. It could be daily or every 2-3 days (for 1mg/l add 2g per 1000 litres).
You never want to use bleach in place or regular chlorine or bromine sanitizing, but you can use bleach to occasionally shock your hot tub water and use diluted bleach to clean the shell of an empty hot tub. Just avoid using liquid chlorine designed for swimming pools.
Chlorine tablets are the most commonly used and most efficient sanitizer for pools because of their ease of use. NEVER just throw them into your pool water. This will cause them to dissolve on the floor and it can damage and create a permanent bleach stain to your liner or concrete.
Bromine works better at higher temperatures than chlorine. Above 75°F, bromine remains stable, whereas chlorine is more effective in temperatures as low as 65°F. This makes bromine a better choice for hot tubs and spas, and an unheated pool will be better served by the use of chlorine.
What is the Difference Between Pool and Hot Tub Chlorine? For one, swimming pools have a much larger volume of water, so dumping concentrated liquid chlorine into a swimming pool doesn't have the same, immediate effect as in a hot tub. So, the volume of water is one major difference.
For spas and hot tubs you can use either, but bromine is king in hot water. If you switch from chlorine tablets to bromine tablets and, you will need to purchase a new brominator because mixing chlorine and bromine can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
Best Hot Tub Chemicals
- Leisure Time E5 Spa 56 Chlorinating Granules.
- FROG @ease Floating Sanitizing System.
- Hot Tub Things Chlorine Starter Kit.
- ecoone | Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit.
- SpaGuard Brominating Concentrate.
Since most people will use Bromine in a hot tub/spa, they are exactly what you need. That being said, if you have a pool, it's probably chlorinated, so you won't be able to see the free chlorine, and these strips are not for you.
To dose your hot tub ready for bather use, we advise using chlorine or bromine granules rather than tablets, which should be added only when your Hot Tubs pump is running. It is important to ensure your Spa water is at a normal level of 3-5 parts per million (ppm) for Free Chlorine and 4-6 PPM for Bromine before use.
To kill bacteria – Chlorine based shock treatments are designed to sanitise the hot tub water and ensure it is safe for bathers. Remove organic contaminants – Shocking helps to remove organic compounds which are added to the water by bathers.
If you do not want to put any chemicals in to your hot tub, no problem. But you must drain down and refill after each use and ensure that the water is never in the spa for more than 12 hours!
Are They the Same? Ultimately, pool and spa chemicals are not the same. In fact, using pool chemicals in your hot tub can cause a lot of damage to both the spa itself and the people who use it. Always read the instructions on the chemical packages and consult with a professional if you have any questions.
Shock Your Hot Tub WaterShocking your spa water allows you to raise chlorine levels above the recommended amount for a brief period of time. By shocking the water, you remove organic compounds from the water, kill bacteria, remove bromamines or chloramines and reactivate the bromides in the spa for cleaner water.
Wait until your hot tub water reaches 80ºF (30ºC) before you add anything. The heat helps the chemicals dissolve and incorporate into the water. If you're not sure how to add chemicals to your hot tub, we have a few tips before you get started: Figure out how much water your hot tub holds.
Weekly Hot Tub Maintenance
- Test your hot tub water. Every single week, check your alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer levels, and if you adjust them, test again after the period recommended by the manufacturer.
- Sanitize and shock the water.
- Rinse your hot tub filter with water.
- Wipe down your spa cover.
Check the pH level of your water with test strips and adjust if not in the correct range (7.2-7.6 is ideal for hot tub water). Sometimes correcting the pH also corrects water clarity. Add a small amount of clarifier to your hot tub. Clarifier is designed to bind itself to organics that could make hot tub water cloudy.
You only need a small amount of chlorine to successfully sanitize your spa, so it's possible to overdo it if you're not careful. Too much chlorine can damage your hot tub and irritate your skin, eyes and lungs. Thankfully, reducing the chlorine levels in your hot tub is very easy to do.
If you find after 12 hours you normally have some chlorine then you are OK. If you use the tub the next day then you start the cycle over again. This is where the use of bromine comes in it can maintain a constant residue or at least with a feeder.
The chlorine tablets should be dosed using a small floating dispenser which should be removed from the hot tub when people are bathing (be careful to place it on a non-bleachable surface).
Generally it is recommended that you shock your hot tub once a week – more often if it's seeing heavy use. If your levels are all good, but the water is a bit cloudy or doesn't quite smell right, it's time for a shock. You should also shock the tub if you haven't used it for an extended period of time.
To use this Spa & Hot Tub chemicals dispenser, simply remove the top and place the slow dissolving chlorine tablets or bromine tablets in the base of the Spa & Hot Tub chemicals dispenser. Replace the lid and place the Spa & Hot Tub chemicals dispenser in your Spa or Hot Tub.
Dissolve the desired amount of chlorine in a bucket of water, and then add the water to your hot tub. You can turn the spa off a few minutes after adding the chlorine, but leave it uncovered for at least 30 minutes.
