How to fix cloudy hot tub water in three easy steps!

[@mickbadal]

Bill you saved my tub, thank you. The guys who sold me this tub gave me horrible information that resulted in my water becoming a mess. Since I spoke with you Bill, and you gave me the routine and the right approach to chemicals, my water has been *crystal clear blue* and my confidence is restored. Thank you so much sir!

[@ChrisWheatley]

Glad I could help Mickey!!!

[@futuregamer5791]

Just wanted to comment and say what a great video. Straight to the point without turning the video into some kind of documentary about pool chemistry.

[@PAS2010D]

He did though "this is about contaminants, make sure your water is balanced". I.e. if you're water isn't balanced you'll already have a mess on your hands.

[@mcstews]

A leaf blower works great to get rid of the foam.

[@ChrisWheatley]

Awesome idea! Thanks for that!

[@swiggles222]

Genius idea!

[@Doug778]

So does a pool net, lose less water

[@ericbannon7164]

This was incredibly helpful and simple instructions. Scooping out the foam was a game changer, then clear in the morning after steps 1 and 2. Added some shock and it looks great and smell is away. Thanks so much

[@DAVIDGEARING-k6s]

Great advise I use a shopvac to remove foam and leave the jets on

[@moderntouchfurniture]

Great video thank you! I have a bromine system, my water is cloudy, can't seem to fix the problem after several weeks. I noticed you shocked the spa AFTER using the concentrated chlorine. I thought concentrated chlorine was like shocking the spa. I have tried the concentrated bromine, but did not use bromine shock after. I guess I should try that? All my chemical levels are perfect according to my Taylor test kit. I also replaced the filter. All this happened after the kids got in for the first time this summer, covered in sunblock. I think I'll get a shade cover for the spa and tell them not to apply sunblock for the spa next time.

[@3DPeter]

when you get foam then you need to clean the paper filter every day, and use a gell that will glue and bind all floating minescule particles to it and then het sucked into the filter that will be sticky like snot the next day, and then flush that filter out and reuse it again. And when the water is still a bit cloudy, then just wait another day and then you will see that it's clear again. And then keep on using just a tiny bit of that gell every day, and wash out the filter every day, and then the foam days are over. Now bubbles that pop right away are not dirty, but as soon you get bubbles that will stick to your hands and takes ages to pop and look like brownish seafoam, well then that's the foam you don't want, and that won't get away with chlorine only.

[@jessepinkmeng1556]

Sweet, thank you! All the other cleaning hot tub videos I’ve seen involved draining it first which I doubted was necessary for a bit of sliminess

[@cherylcozad1982]

So clear. Thank you. I'm going to do the 2 filter system.

[@domingod4648]

Awesome! Thanks, this Worked for me! Also the next time I had foam, I purchased a new hot tub Net with tiny, TINY holes and it caught ALL of the foam without me taking too much water out with the Solo cup haha

[@ChrisWheatley]

Great tip!

[@made49er]

Thank you! Leaving the tub open for out gas after shock helped a lot.

[@ChrisWheatley]

Glad it helped!

[@Beau1990]

Is it possible to explain to process with bromine? How many of the bromine tablets do you use in replacement of the chlorine? Great video! Many thanks.

[@TheDwilliams1000]

I was told that you could shock with chlorine shock in a bromine tub. So now I have to drain and refill and use bromine granules or non chlorine as shock?

[@LongListOfErrors]

Thx for taking one for the team boss!

[@ChrisWheatley]

Yer welcome but probably should have cleared it with the wife first........

[@asanboo]

Thank you for taking one for the team!

[@ChrisWheatley]

It's amazing what a bottle of Malbec can fix........

[@ChristopherDillman]

Interesting. My issue has been cloudy water, but zero foam. No foam issues here. 👍

[@Sunshineom]

Same

[@battphone]

Check your phosphate levels. They are probably high.

[@RandyZimmer-hr4sb]

The filter is something some people overlook , rinse filter and if needed use a 24 hrs cleaning solution.

[@irelandmadonna1367]

If you don’t have shock can bleach / Clorox or somthing else be used ?

[@garingdahl]

My hot tub jets are the same kind you have in the video of your lake front property. I think they are stationery and don't unscrew. is there any way to clean them. I have one jet that wont clear even though Ive done the priming cycle several times. How to I clear this one jet. I tried the hose method too.

[@travisbettencourt1479]

For maintenance I put in the recommended amount of chlorine (8g) for a 300g tub after use. And weekly I do shock and a anti scalant. Chemistry is good. Is this a good rule of thumb?

[@ChrisWheatley]

sounds reasonable, get spa marvel additive it will cut your chlorine down to drinking water levels and the water will last a year. www.hottubuniversity.com/spamarvel

[@richardr.528]

When and how would you use a clarifier with this method

[@kevinward3305]

Thanks very much just got a tub and don't know what I'm doing thanks again

[@pete7287]

Super duper spot on. Now my cloudy spa is crystal. Thanks you.👍

[@ChrisWheatley]

Glad it helped

[@MikeJones-yf1oi]

Very helpful....into my 2nd year of owning my twilight series by master spas.....this worked exactly how u said it would!!! Thanks for some honest help!!

[@ChrisWheatley]

Glad it helped!

[@JayHue-u1t]

It's totally safe to use chlorine granules/chlorine shock to shock a bromine spa. Just don't add bromine granules and chlorine granules at same time. It's preferred to use chlorine to shock even in bromine spas.

[@nickmoore7398]

Great video! So much more helpful than other things I have seen and read! Thank you! 🍻🤙🏼

[@mjthagoat]

Do you think spa sanitizer and shock in 1 is bad? We have a shock and chlorine in one. Wondering if that’s causing the problem. It seems once a month we are dealing with cloudy water

[@markcorbett3038]

Great video. I’m a hot tub newbie and this helped a lot 👍🏻

[@ChrisWheatley]

Great to hear!

[@BadWeatherfreak]

Mine has foaming and brown residue on the walls of the tub.

[@markcorbett3038]

That don’t sound good. The foam could be from hair products if people are getting there hair wet. I had the same problem

[@99tahoelt]

Bill should you check chlorine levels after treatment?

[@mikemm03]

I have a product that is called Dichlor Granular Chlorine Shock? Is this completely different from Chlorine and spa Shock?

[@stevebilawey342]

Thanks for doing the video and explaining the process

[@michellebernard2015]

Great video, but one piece of incorrect information.... You can absolutely add chlorine sanitizer to water running on bromine tablets. The chlorine is converted to bromine. In fact to convert a tub from bromine to chlorine all traces of bromine must be completely gone, as even the tiniest amount will turn all your chlorine to bromine. No danger though, whatsoever 😃

[@shawnweaver8520]

Quick question. You stated to turn the jets on low, but make sure the air is off. How do you turn the air off? Thanks!

[@ChrisWheatley]

usually the tub has small handles called venturis that let you control the sir injected into the jets, just spin these handles closed, you will always have a bit of air from the ozone jet but it will reduce it a lot !

[@user-gu3ie]

You dont dilute your granules with warm water? Just straight in the pool?

[@Ryandoesdifferentthings]

I’ve been told you can use chlorine shock if you have bromine in your spa

[@ChrisWheatley]

You can but the non-chlorine shock is better for sure.

[@dcbmartin]

Where is your intro song from? I like that song

[@ChrisWheatley]

It's a licensed instrumental from epidemic sound called Stuck in a Frame. I highly recommend epidemic if you do any video work

[@josephgraham1065]

Good solution for common problem. I usually change the water.

[@ChrisWheatley]

Thanks. If this doesn't work and the water is more than 3-4 months old it's time to change it because the cloudiness is being caused by total dissolved solids

[@monikamajzlanova2780]

I have been having a very hard time keeping my water clean. Swim spa only 30 days in use, daily use, different people. Was told to use brominating granulates and quick shock after each use, plus Pure Spa and Spa protect as weekly maintenance. Now water is super cloudy, can't get rid of it. Nothing works. Was advised to put 3 cups of liquid chlorine, no change. Is my only option to drain the water> What did I do wrong?

[@ChrisWheatley]

The only thing you did wrong was listen to bad advice. Let me know the size of your swim spa and I'll give you a bulletproof routine for it

[@123motd]

Can you give me a solid routine schedule I have a 4-6 person hot tub and it’s cloudy and funky smell to it

[@TTT-Turbo]

Hi, I've heard a lot of people say turn the jets on but without the air. Also, my water is just a tiny bit cloudy now after only having it for 5weeks. I don't have shock! Is this what I need to do. Is to buy a shock and treat weekly. I also have stablised chlorine Granules and Chlorinating Granules. What's the difference with these. I also have a floaty that I use but the fast action tablets dissappear instantly. I'm sure there are larger tablets there but they smell really strong. I bought this 2nd hand but it's under 1 year old and less than half the price I snapped it up. Its just the 2 loungers and 1 seat area but I recon you could get 5 in it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated Many thanks and happy new year. Ian.

[@zachm1928]

What about a flowing hot tub that flows into a swimming pool? Chemicals fine. Looks great when the pool pump isn't running. As soon as the pool pump starts it starts clouding up? Any suggestions? Thanks.

[@jordijohnson1739]

What if my chlorine levels are too high after the chlorine cycle? Do I still shock? How do I get it down?

[@DtKnize]

Awesome information! Thank You!

[@Mr123adam]

How do you turn the pump in without the air ?

[@SuperMouseDV]

I have a DR Wellness 2 person Hot tub.. We use Baquacil Its chlorine free and the first month and a half it was great. SO we were told we would need to drain our tub every 4 weeks and redo it.. So the water started to smell and I drained it and redid it after a month and a half. Then again a month and a half later same thing. But this time (yes its a new tub) I refill it there is an oily surface that comes up.. So I drain it again and redo it AND again oily surface.. Even when I accidentally overfilled it and it had ran about 15 minutes like that One would think that would get rid of the oiliness on top. NO so I took a pool net and placed a paper towel on top and started scoop capturing water and taking the oil off the top. No one has been in this hot tub in 2 complete water changes. I have some scum catchers shaped like sea turtles to capture the oil but the only think I can think of is something got into the plumbing and died and has yet to emerge from the spot it died and is making it oily. Any suggestions ? (I do have a nice boroscope I could go down the jets with ..

[@irishwolfhoundsofthesouthw7890]

Thank you SO much!!!!

[@timxavier1954]

I’m experiencing visible particles in the water. I think it’s white mold flakes. It doesn’t seem to go away. Any thoughts?

[@ChrisWheatley]

sounds like white mold, there are loads of videos on how to deal with it just search "white mold hot tub"

[@mickbadal]

Hi Bill, Wondering if you can help a guy out who’s at the end of his rope with a brand new spa. I’ve had it for two weeks, the company told me to dump in spa marvel at the beginning, use 2 capfuls of Dichlor (roughly equal to 2 tablespoons) after we use it every time, and spa marvel every three months along with changing out our filters and cleaning them and so forth. It’s a master spa tub with eco-pure. I did all that religiously and yet within a week and a half my water was cloudy and I couldn’t get it clear no matter if I put in chlorine, shocked it, stabilizer, new filters, etc. I reached the end of my rope and emptied the tub and I’m refilling it now. I need a routine that I know is gonna work, this is an SOS! would you be able to tell me what to do for a routine?

[@ChrisWheatley]

Jump over to our main site (hottubuniversity.com) and go to ask the experts. Post a question to me and fill in your email address (nobody will see it but us) and I will get in touch with you and help you get it sorted out and get you on the right track

[@mickbadal]

@@ChrisWheatley I will. Thank you!

[@TheUnivera]

I have the Frog Ease in-line Smartchlor which keeps the chlorine between 0.5-1. The water is cloudy. Should I do this 3 step method with this inline system also? What about no chlorine shock with this inline system? It say to shock once per week. What do you think?

[@ChrisWheatley]

This will work great with your system and here's a tip - shock with 3-4 tablespoons of non-chlorine shock every time you use the tub regardless of what the instructions say. Make sure you leave your cover open for 20 minutes after shocking to allow the contaminants to off-gas. Your tub will be a lot cleaner and clearer

[@TheUnivera]

@@ChrisWheatley instead of adding chlorine granules and adding non-chlorine shock (Spa Shock-Oxidizer), is it easier to just add shock with chlorine (Enhanced shock)?

[@seanchristian2200]

My water isn't cloudy but it gets foamy when I put the jets on

[@lajeit]

I have a lay z spa with a device that holds a tablet. How often do I put a new one? It's been 3 days and it's still at 90%. Another question is how much per day do I filter the water/pump?. I was using 1 hrs and then filter for how long?

[@lajeit]

Can I use spa shock if I'm using bromine tablets?

[@ChrisWheatley]

It honestly depends on your chlorine (or bromine) levels. I'm not a fan of dispensers because they control the amount dispensed, not the amount of actual sanitizer in your water. Check out our in-depth water chemistry video for a true explanation. You should be filtering 2-3 hours twice a day for average use

[@ChrisWheatley]

You sure can, just make sure it's NON-chlorine shock

[@henri-paulboyer2511]

Thanks very useful

[@ChrisWheatley]

Glad it was helpful!

[@debrasgrignoli4490]

What if you have saltwater spa?

[@ChrisWheatley]

same

[@naturemom57]

Thank you

[@ahmadetienne6415]

Great video

[@ChrisWheatley]

Thanks!

[@TheTommyKeavy]

Can you help me out with an INFLATABLE hot tub?

[@nybigjoe]

great info. question is 16K (total) a good price for master Spa LSX800? no premium options included. thanks again

[@ChrisWheatley]

Killer price in this market, jump at that one

[@kingrob9993]

Quick question. My Ph and Alkalinity is in perfect range and chlorine is as well but no matter what I do there are small particles in the spa. Is this normal? I purged, drained, cleaned the filters and refilled it about 2 weeks ago , got all the chemicals right and still have small particles all in the spa smh. Did this process but nothing seems to work. Is this inevitable? I feel it's certainly not as clear and clean looking as it should be, it's still a bit cloudy and Im pretty sure the particles are the culprit. Have you ever had this issue ? Any suggestions/ solutions ?

[@nedkent5239]

You could always buy some spa cleaner and add it before you drain next. If spas sit unused or dirty filters the tubes for jets get white gunk stuck inside.

[@barbaramock5860]

Thank you !!!!!!!

[@caymancostas4045]

Top man, top video 👌👍

[@danselig4485]

Why is my hot tub cloudy only when I turn the jets on.

[@brentphillips262]

My tub is clear then will get foam and then when I use foam down products it turns milky white. Bullfrog X7. Water is balanced. Hardness is high because of our cities water. I used an online filter on my hose when filling. Metal out when I change water. Spa store recommended that coring my city's water has a reputation for having issues balancing and having high metal content. I add 4 to 6 tablespoons of chlorine crystals to shock it after a few times in it. Probably once per week. I'm in it alone every night for 1.5 to 2hrs watching TV. 7 days per week. I am clean and not a nasty sweaty elephant seal in it although I may look like one there days with my Covid 59 and birthday suit. Lol. Also. I went away over night for biz and came home and the water was very yellowish. It was pretty clear when I left. Pretty sure my wife didn't pee on it. Added bright and clear, defender, and chlorine which caused foam..so added foam down. Boom. 15 cows instantly dumped their udder's I'm it. Milky white. Just changed it and will start over. Guess I have to watch TV indoors tonight. Do you think the 3 step process will fix it or is it something else?

[@ChrisWheatley]

Elephant seals and cows should never be allowed in the hot tub...... :) I'd look at using a water truck to fill it because it sounds like a metal reaction. Take a look at my water chemistry video and the one for new spa owners as well even if you're not a new owner

[@brentphillips262]

@@ChrisWheatley Will do and thanks for rhe reply.

[@3betpanda]

every time I shocked my tub, I put the cover back on... now it makes sense why nothing happens LoL

[@samn9350]

Bill, Thanks for the video. We were away for 3 weeks and the Frog Smartchlor cartridge was empty when I returned and cloudy and foamy water is the result. I should have checked for this perfect video first, but instead I went through some steps. My tub is only a couple of months old. I used your recommended enzyme additive at last fill, and the water is balanced (I needed to add a little calcium). I started with shock and scooping foam, then replaced the Smartchlor cartridge, and seeing the chlorine still too low, I threw in a start-up packet to "establish a reserve of chlorine". Chlorine is still far too low. After seeing your video I know the correct steps and sequence, but my question is about mixing chlorine. Can I use chlorinating granules with the Smartchlor, which is a different chlorine make-up? And when the tub is right, should I ditch the Smartchlor system and just stick with granules? For reference, Smartchlor is 1,3 dichloro-5, 5-dimethythydantoin...81.8% and 1,3-dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methythydantoin....16.1%.

[@danleach4123]

Ok so quick question for ya. My tub is the same size as yours (3 person) I wasn’t feeling the greatest for a couple of days and usually I add shock after each use and add chlorine as needed and take the floater out when it’s good. Anyways I didn’t touch it for a couple days started feeling better so I went out flipped the lid open and the tub was cloudy. So I checked it and the alkalinity was high so I put a bit of ph reducer (got that from another video). Put the chlorine floater in and added two cap fulls of oxidizer. I wait for about 30 minutes between each chemical add. I’m still left with cloudy water so do I just need to wait longer? My filter cycle is set for the middle of the night so should I wait to see after the filter cycle what it does?

[@ChrisWheatley]

Filter cycle will make a difference but it's better to use chlorine granules for these occasions. a floater can't dispense fast enough

[@danleach4123]

@@ChrisWheatley thank you. I ended up a short time ago ordering some chlorine granules and its made a difference greatly. I also found out some of my chemicals i was using were old so they were causing cloudy hot tub water. I just actually had a batch last for 4 months and no cloudiness to note. I changed it out of course because it was getting old. Thanks for your video though it helped greatly!

[@acbentley]

Thanks for the video. Can you do this exactly the same if you already use spa marvel?

[@ChrisWheatley]

I use Spa Marvel in the tub so yes it's exactly the same

[@mikelippert4199]

Great video. Are you aiming for a certain chlorine level when you add the 2 or 3 tbsp? Do you wait for the levels to drop before using the non-chlorine shock or using the tub?

[@ChrisWheatley]

I don't check the levels when adding the extra chlorine. Just add the 2-3 tbsp, wait 6 hours and then the same amount of shock. I keep my tub at very low levels because I use Spa Marvel so this process raises it a little for a few hours but only to about 3-4 ppm (I typically keep it at 0.5 - 1.0)

[@SarahTrpelivost]

We just got a 4 seater tub and it says teaspoons not table spoons so perhaps that's why my tub is cloudy (not enough chlorine)? I thought I "shocked" it this morning but I guess not!

[@MrAudio77]

@@SarahTrpelivost I wondered the same be CB cause my tub has me putting in a few teaspoons and that gets the chlorine level two the high side on my test strip 5 to 10 PPM

[@middlesexcountybusinesspod1077]

Is Spa Shock the same as Enhanced Shock

[@ChrisWheatley]

Spa shock is a generic term that refers to the product you put in your tub to oxidize the contaminants. Enhanced shock is typically (since it's sold under a bunch of different labels) a shock combined with clarifier. Check the label to make sure it's non-chlorine shock and you should be good to go

[@TheUnivera]

@@ChrisWheatley is enhanced shock recommended? Is it combined with a clarifier or chlorine?

[@mikedooling7483]

Thanks for taking one for us boys who’s getting it in the neck 👍😅

[@shadowdude1970]

Thanks for the great video and advice. When I came to remove the foam on top of the water, it never ended, I skimmed the foam for at least 25 minutes or so, it just kept coming. I then proceeded with your steps and now I'm waiting for another 5hrs or so as I added my granular chlorine. So my question is, Is it normal to have so much foam? And I also have a ozonator installed in my hot tub, should I see a difference with anything? Thanks

[@ChrisWheatley]

An ozonator won't make any difference. The little ozonators manufacturers put in hot tubs do little to nothing for water purification just because they're tiny, cheap little things. If you have that much foam it's likely that you have something else driving the foam as well such as detergents from bathing suits. Washing your bathing suits in warm water with no detergent will help with that

[@Thom7953]

You’re awesome

[@dancollins5478]

Wet vac works much quicker in my opinion.

[@ChrisWheatley]

Wet vac, leaf blower. Man you guys are way more resourceful than me and my red solo cup...........

[@danmallonee]

Bill, thank your wife for us. For letting you take one for the team.

[@brandonvanetten8134]

You could do voice work for iron man.

[@pocoboo]

are you from the east Coast? Little bit of a newfie twang

[@ChrisWheatley]

Born and raised in northern Labrador so only part Newfie.......... :)

[@BadWeatherfreak]

Lol great video. Funny!

[@ChrisWheatley]

Thanks! 😁

[@jasonpalmere695]

Cheers 🍻

[@ChrisWheatley]

Cheers back

[@ferrotee2629]

Wait... Don't pee in the tub either🤔 And other released stuffs too? Shocking my Hot tub was used immensely over this past wild card weekend of play-off football. No showers just birthday suites. Thank you for the pro tips!!👍

[@matthewphaneuf2249]

Super Wild Card Weekend!

[@ChrisWheatley]

lol sounds like a good weekend :-)

[@stanzbornack8006]

What if this doesn’t work? I added the chlorine and it’s been running for five hours. Still cloudy. No foam but there is like an oily film. We haven’t used it in a few days so I’m clueless.

[@ChrisWheatley]

The film would indicate a build up of body oils. Use a quality water conditioner such as Spa Marvel to deal with that

[@PvtCarney]

Cheers

[@TheSmatlock]

You can use chlorine shock in a bromine hot tub! Don’t know where you got this info

[@joveedreboja1752]

No you cant, Chlorine and bromine makes a chemical reaction and turn your water into green color and makes it smells bad! Chlorine and Bromine dont like each other

[@BC-co9sj]

What does one do when the tub has turned orange? My son has been taking care of the hot tub but now is gone. Please advise

[@ChrisWheatley]

Iron in the water. Drain and refill and use a filter on the hose

[@001SapoBBQ]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@cletheilman2778]

f'n painful to watch!!!!!