How to Get Rid of Biofilm in a Hot Tub

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

**** Get the Oh Yuk Cleaner on Amazon that I demonstrate in this video: amzn.to/2LjLTUf

[@flintstone7404]

Oh Yuk Cleaner on Amazon --- sold out!

[@UpperMiddleClassPerson]

Can you do a review on ahh-some vs oh yuk

[@bennyhill5775]

@@UpperMiddleClassPerson AHH-SOME is much more Effective! I've tried both biofilm removal products.

[@DamianJPeterson]

The cleaner in this comment is different from the one in the Description. Both will do the same thing?

[@KeithCrowningshield-q5p]

Thanks for your videos, they help us novice owners with alot of knowledge. The company I bought from never gave us any kind of instruction. It was delivered and left up to us to figure it out. Your videos have made proper hot tub maintenance much easier. Thanks!!

[@UpperMiddleClassPerson]

Do a review on ahh-some vs oh yuk

[@capti443]

Hey Jeff! Great video as always. Wondering if you could modify that fence behind the filters so you can open up an upper section and gain easy access to the filters? Even with basic skills, it shouldn’t be hard to cut it, install a couple of exterior hinges, and secure it with a gate latch or similar latch. Folks at any decent hardware store should be able to help. Keep up the good work!!

[@pacocansecopizarro]

Hi thanks for your video, question can I clean and put again the same filter or better a new one?

[@jhaberly]

Should you worry about the yuk that's in the plumbing after pumping it all out? Someone suggested filling it, running it, emptying it, and refilling it a second time. Is this needed?

[@EdiesMama]

I love your videos and you have a new subscriber! We just moved into a home with an outdoor hot tub which is brand new to me! I like to extend the life of this as long as possible!

[@louisnash4363]

Thanks for your Knowledge I'm a New Jacuzzi Hot tub owner and I no Nothing about Hot tubs..

[@cre8ivjay]

Jeff, I'd love your take on this.... my water tends to get "slightly greenish" if I don't add a tablespoon of chlorinating granules every 2 days or so (my tub is used maybe once every 3-4 days). Even more interesting my chlorine levels drop within a day. It's not uncommon for my chlorine levels to be below 2ppm, and not uncommon to be lower than 1 ppm (for all chlorine levels). I weekly shock. I chlorinate. I change water every 3 months and when I do I use Ahh-some. I clean filters every week or two. I think I do a good job. Now, something that may be of interest... I have a Jacuzzi and it runs what is called Clear Ray. It's a UV lightbulb. Apparently it eats chlorine for breakfast. My dealer even mentioned I shouldn't worry about trying to maintain the 2-5ppm target because my levels will never be that high. The suggestion being that not long after you put chlorine in, it has done its job, and is now the levels will be low. Maybe that's Clear Ray doing its thing. I don't know. So.. greenish water if I don't add Chlorine every two days (this has been consistent for 2 years).... consistent low levels of chlorine, yet I'm doing everything I can to avoid bio film and staying on top of tub hygiene..... WTH? Is it metals causing green water? Do I have some kind of biofilm that resists all of my efforts? Sigh.. thanks!

[@kennethwilson902]

Thanks for the tip about biofilm! Ordered some Yuk.

[@imbored247]

I thought you aren't supposed to run the hot tub with no filters ? Also does the ozone filter have to come out when you use this product ?

[@TrumbleAudio]

Of course it happened to me in the winter time ❄️

[@jackdawson3276]

I find that my salt water system in my Hot Springs Envoy generates chlorine more effectively after I purge my spa with Ahhsome. I've used Ahh Yuk before. It works ok but I find that Ahhsome does a much better job at getting the biofilm out. It's much more expensive, but the thick brown clay like substance that comes out after I let the jets run for an hour and half is amazing. I keep my water balanced and add non chlorine MPS oxidizer on a regular basis.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Thanks, Joe. When I run out of the Oh Yuk!, I'll give that one a try. How are you checking to see how much biofilm it gets out?

[@jackdawson3276]

Hello Jeff. Did you ever try Ahhsome? Since my last purge with Ahhsome, I noticed a dramatic improvement in the Hotspring Freshwater Salt System's performance. I turned down the output level and can go many weeks without having to add chlorine granules and only shock (nonchlorine) once a week.. I previously had to add chlorine manually weekly and shock (nonchlorine) after each use to supplement the salt system. I just did another purge yesterday after 10 months. Only saw a mild green ring of film around the waterline. No thick brown clay-like gunk this time.. The water lines near the motor look brand new inside. I wonder if that is a result of the improved salt system performance from the last purge with Ahhsome. Where I really see a difference is with my jetted tub. With Ah Yuck, I had to do 3-4 purges to clear out the pipes..I kept seeing black flakes and gunk when trying to bathe...with Ahhsome, one purge gets it done..no black flakes. Clear clean water. I do deviate from the directions which say let system run for 30 minutes...I let my Spa and jetted tub run for closer to 2 hours.

[@flintstone7404]

great show. thanks for your videos I have learned a lot of your explanations. greatings from overseas

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Thanks, Flint!

[@johndack8395]

If i have a film on the tub walls, is that biofilm as well.

[@SeriousSamurai077]

What makes oh yuk your product of choice? They sell SpaGuard System Flush at the tub store, and am curious how this compares?

[@kerrianns.e.3440]

Thanks for the video! Don’t Have to drain the tub after using that cleaner?

[@sonyacurti]

Love your channel was looking for chlorine alternatives when I found you.

[@carol7055]

Jeff, can I use untreated well water in my hot tub? Otherwise it is filtered,softened and U V’d. Which do I use?

[@tjackson4802]

Will try the New oh yuk cleaner. Thanks

[@UnholyRenton]

Do I need to remove the filters before applying the oh yuk solution?

[@YolandaDewberry]

Not sure if I have biofilm, would it harm my pipes/hot tub to use to prevent biofilm?

[@RavenVBranwen]

Do I have to drain my Hot tub after I add the Oh Yuk? I just drained it out yesterday!

[@lindagilbert4642]

What is the difference between the blue and green biofilm cleaners? One says for jetted hot tubs, the one you suggested does not?

[@xclarryx]

Can you recommend a brand of chlorine tablets and a float for me to use in my spa?

[@JeremyJamesDec15]

What pump and hose do you use?

[@kencheney3849]

I am using Oh Yuk for the first time. I have a million questions because the instructions on the website differ from what is on the bottle. Here are just a few: Can we leave the filters in? Don't the filtlers get biofilm in them too? HOw do those get clean? Should we put the pillows into the water and let them stew too? Is it possible to use the tub if you put Oh Yuk in it (I am sure it is bad idea) but i am curious. 4 oz vs 450gallons seems like a lot of dispersion. I emailed the company twice over the last couple of days and there is no answer.

[@PEGShane]

My submersible pump (Ace hardware basic pump) keeps shutting off and I can't figure out what pressure situation causes it. Now it's just really slow. There are no obstructions in the fan. Any ideas?

[@cbjr3371]

I have a 475 gallon hot tub and need to do a purge, drain, clean and fill. I've been hearing and seeing to use vinegar for at least 3 weeks to remove the biofilm from the pipes. Is vinegar safe to use on your hot tub? I wouldn't see why not...

[@marcomm7543]

Hi. Brand new hot tub. Only running a few days at 91 degrees. I see a light amount of a white to baeage crust very thin however to just above the water line. Is that biofilm or calcium from hard water ?

[@amythompson6869]

What do you do to stop bubbles from forming when your hot tub is running? Ours looks like you’re taking a bubble bath.

[@sallifrolix]

I purged, cleaned and refilled my hot tub. Haven’t even been in the new water yet. But there is film and yellow/ oily looking gunk on the top. Any ideas??

[@nancyzipay6373]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this great info! I was never told about biofilm nor how to remove it. My question is: Do I understand correctly that the jets should be running continuously for the entire hour? But I think my jets are on a 20-30 min cycle so should I keep an eye on the tub and just keep pressing the jets to turn back on again? Thank you!

[@thomasarnold8976]

Thanks for all of your tips very helpful

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

You are so welcome!

[@sonyacurti]

I don't see the link for the pump?

[@ronrobertson9324]

Hi Jeff, I love your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and experiences. I drained our hot tub about 5 years ago and we have not filled it again until now. My question is: I am going to fill my hot tub up and use the "Oh Yuck" chemical. Can I use that chemical in cold water? My plan is to fill the tub, add the Oh Yuck chemical, let the jets run for about an hour, then drain and clean the tub. Then I will refill the tub and start the process of heating , testing the water, and Sanitation process. Hopefully all goes well. I would appreciate your thoughts in this matter. Thank you for all you do.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hi Ron. Sorry for my delay as you've probably already moved on with this. But while I think it probably works better in hot water, it should work OK in cold water, and I would definitely do that for a tub that's been sitting empty and potentially never had a biofilm cleaning done to it.

[@carllopresti697]

Another informative vid. Tks Jeff

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Thanks, Carl! I'm still figuring this out (video making), but I'm glad you approve! Jeff

[@drewcorbin3322]

Thanks for them info bro

[@teronegodsent7097]

Hi Jeff I used oh yuk cleaner twice and water was crystal clear but after refilling my tub and putting the pump on high noticed debris in the water some brown some black and even a red looking flem. I clean them out but I still see tiny particles and the black looking algae stuff come out the jets the water seem clear but the particles are still present

[@paulchavez2009]

No answer! Did you come to a conclusion? I'm having the same problem. Is this normal

[@teronegodsent7097]

@@paulchavez2009 I figured it out my self, you gotta super chlorinate for like 4 days, meaning get the large chlorine tablets and leave them in the tub, or maintain a maximum level of ppm(chlorine level ) for 4 to 5 continuous days you will see that all the debris and white looking stuff will disappear

[@josecorrada4141]

Do you flush with hot or cold water temp? I imagine cold temp for pump correct?

[@tamarrabillings6528]

Jeff, my hot tub was filled with floaters, looking like chunks of dead skin, so gross. I followed your video and used the oh yuck twice already. We've emptied and cleaned out several times. It was looking good again, but then last night, I got in the hot tub, turned on the jets, and the floaters were back!! What should I do?

[@teronegodsent7097]

Have fhe same issue any luck am trying to figure it out myself

[@eeeyyyeee]

Hi Jeff, man oh man. i have biofilm in my hot tub and I've used a bunch of products with no success. i seem to be doing what you are doing and am so confused. 4 products and drained fully 4 times, scrubbed 4 times. i feel like enough of the biofilm drains back into the pipes when i use my submersible pump to empty. which also means the products are not killing the biofilm, or enough of it. have you ever experienced the bioflim getting trapped in your pipes? behind a jet? stuck in the waterfall feature? where could it be coming from?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Are you using Oh Yuk! or another similar product? I've never had biolfilm come back quickly or remain after doing that. If you are using that, then somehow it's not getting pulled through the whole system. So make sure to: 1. Remove all filters 2. Turn on the jets after adding the Oh Yuk! (and all water features) 3. Keep turning them back on after they auto-shutoff 4. Let that Oh Yuk! circulate for 1 hour 5. Drain it completely including using a wet/dry vac on the floor for any remaining water. But you can also hold the hose up to each jet. 6. Wipe down the shell with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar. Then fill it back up and adjust alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer (in that order).

[@eeeyyyeee]

@@HotTubOwnerHQ this is how I eventually got it to work: removed every jet nozzle, the water feature, the covers of the intake things around the bottom, filters, and then blasted with a hose into every single one of them until it ran clean, then repeated that daily for 3 days (was necessary), then used a full bottle of oh yuk leaving it for 2 full days with Jets on high as often as possible. Did this in consult with Oh yuk the company. Water is finally clear!

[@bennyhill5775]

Where'd you GO?!

[@erich4111]

What does what does biofilm look like?

[@corrinawang758]

Can you give me the link to buy the pump? Thank you

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hi Corrina. Thanks for asking! Bear in mind the current configuration of your pump and heater can affect the best replacement options depending on how the connections are arranged. But I do really like this one on Amazon - amzn.to/3lV9Hzj

[@MrMikeyLamb]

do you put the cover back on while you circulate the biofilm remover?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Great question! No, I leave it off while circulating and don't put the cover back on until it's been emptied, wiped down, and refilled.

[@ronmcgahan3103]

Have you used or tried any hot tub clarifiers

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Thanks for the comment. Because of all the comments I get, and my inability to answer them all in a timely manner, I answered yours in a video scheduled for 2/22/21. Please check it out and thanks for being here! - Jeff

[@nickpont8567]

Can u use system flush for biofilm on an inflatable tub?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hi Nick. Great question. That should work just fine on inflatables unless you see something in the manual that says otherwise.

[@tonyhughes3081]

I just got my hot tub on June 1. But I have to add chlorine every day to keep it in the normal level. Could I already have a bio-film problem? Its actually been going on for a few weeks, so the problem started only 1 month after i got the hot tub brand new.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

I doubt you'd have a biofilm problem right off the bat unless it's a used tub or had water in it on a showroom floor. Chlorine does dissipate faster in hot water than bromine does, so when the levels drop off, you might consider trying bromine and see how that does. - Jeff

[@korourke085]

Just bough a used hot tub and want to run a cycle of bio film cleaning before using. Does the water need to be up to temp for the product to work?

[@runningriot6399]

No. I ran two cycles. The first was up to temp. After draining it and filling it up again I ran a second cycle with cold water and it worked just fine.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Water temp shouldn't be a big factor!

[@sc3434]

Good video...thanks! Have you ever used Ahh-Some before? If so, i guess the product you are using in the video is better?

[@26Marlow]

Have you, yourself tried the ahh some and/or this oh yuk stuff? I just put the oh yuk in mine.....did a good job I'd say. Lots crud came out. Now, i need to know how to start the "prepping" and clean/sanitize of hot tub and get it ready to use.

[@sc3434]

@@26Marlow I actually do not own a hot tub yet. I am just watching loads of videos and educating myself for when the time comes. I have read a lot about Ahh-Some, but not the product in this video. I was hoping he used it before to get a good comparison from him.

[@26Marlow]

👌 I have been doing tons of research as well. It's so overwhelming. Seen the Ahh some advertised alot and also the Oh yuk, he used. I chose the oh yuk one b/c it was cheaper, and reviews on Amazon were good. I just ran another cleaning cycle with it just to be extra clean! Lol Maybe next time I will splurge and buy the awesome to compare

[@sc3434]

@@26Marlow yeah, i hear ya...it is pricey. At least you are running something through to clean the pipes. It seems like this is a step a lot of owners don't do.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hi Amy & Sal. I have not used Ahh-some (or even heard of it actually), so the Oh Yuk! is the only one I've tried. Both have decent reviews on Amazon (I looked just now to compare). I will say that the Ahh-some has 9% of the 440-ish reviews being 1-star compared to only 3% of the Oh Yuk! being 1-star (and about the same number of reviews). The Oh Yuk! is definitely a lot cheaper too. So, for me, I think I'll stick with the Oh Yuk! But if you try the Ahh-some, Sal, I'd love to hear how you like it. Thank you both!

[@tleeton]

Please if you would share link for pump.

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Sure!! amzn.to/3fFlkXH

[@pinopizzoferrato9366]

I have a new hot tub. Unfortunately the concrete base is not level. It is off by 2 inches. I was told NOT TO USE SHIMES. Is this safe to do?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Well if it's off by that much, you'll want to do something. Now if shims void the warranty, that's a big consideration. But the alternative to shimming would be to drain, move it, and level the pad which is obviously a pain. If I were in your shoes, I would probably do some minor shimming (and I did do that on the hot tub I owned before my current one, and I had no issues). The main consideration with shimming is to not overdue it so too much pressure pushes down on a shim point, as that could crack the frame and/or shell. So less is more. It doesn't need to be perfectly level either, so if you can get it to about 1/2 inch, that's probably going to be OK. Good luck.

[@davelemay5811]

Could you show yourself actually clean the skum line before you drain the water

[@danielblair5662]

sent you an email tried to look you up o facebook no help. Been battling bio film since i bought a new Marquis hot tub. have used various products nothing is helpibng will try this will be watching the rest of the videos. thanks

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hi Daniel. Sorry, I get 2 dozen comments and day and and probably 2 dozen emails a week, so it's honestly more than I can handle in a timely manner. I do see your email, and yellow and white flakes in the water make me think it's scale buildup from having water with high levels of calcium. If you have hard water (high calcium) you'll see a lot of flaky buildup around your shower heads in the house. If you see that, and haven't already tried it, I would use Leisure Time's Defender which will both help remove existing scale, and prevent future build-up. Here's the Amazon link if that helps - amzn.to/38YNVFX

[@NashvilleGuy1973]

The whole video is suppose to be about using a product to remove biofilm. You didn’t feature what the water looked like after using the chemical. You moved on to how you drain your tub and completely skipped the main topic!

[@camarogs1]

I agree, does no good to show a product but not what it does. Unless it really does not remove biofilm as advertised.

[@TheKingsteez]

Figured it out

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Great!

[@fredgrandt925]

Why remove the filters?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Just because the filters are kind of delicate and the cleaner could be a little abrasive.

[@jaystercutie2012]

Seems a waste of time hot tub says you only drain it every 3 months but I get bio film after a few uses and it a new filter and spa has a uv filter too and all chemicals are where they need to be…….😢

[@lgibbs9553]

I’ve done this I’ve drained and filled 3 times now and every time I turn the jets back on the tub fills with white flakes please help

[@andyanderson6522]

Did you shock? What is the ph? Bromine?

[@Ljackson954]

We've had our hot tub for 9 years and never knew about the possible build up in our pipes. Today we used the pipe cleaner sold by our hot tub company and we were absolutely disgusted with what came out! A nasty brownish sticky, yucky stuff that we had to scrap off the side of our hot tub! :( Going to try the Oh Yuk for our next cleaning, but my question for you is; I've also read that using enzymes during your regular maintenance will avoid or at least slow down the creation of Biofilm. Your thoughts?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Hmmm. . . good question. Seems like it could although I do think if you're fairly on top of the regular chemical maintenance and changing the water every 3 months, and doing the biofilm cleaning each time you do that, it's probably not necessary. But if it's not expensive, why not? Do you have a brand you've heard of you want to try?

[@Ljackson954]

@@HotTubOwnerHQ Thanks so much!! We ordered the Oh Yuk Cleaner and we'll do a much better job of doing a deep clean with that every time we change the water. We really learnt our lesson. We have a Beachcomber Hot tub (we're Canadian) and typically use the products that they sell. When we asked them about enzymes, they said it's already in the maintenance product that we use called 'Carefree Boost', so didn't add yet another product to our menagerie. :)

[@lesblack4501]

What was the pipe cleaner you used please?

[@beck204]

Rumor has it, he’s still saying inconspicuous to this day.

[@racheltraveler]

Have you used ahh-some? Someone else made a video saying that was the best for this process so now I don’t know which to try😂 I just bought a used hot tub, maybe I should do a round of each?

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

I've thought about switching, but I have not tried it yet as it seemed pricey compared to what I do now and what I do now (bromine tablets in a floater and chlorine shock weekly) doesn't produce skin irritation or a strong chlorine smell.

[@marystephens9150]

How do you really know you have biofilm?

[@gr8ful_b]

Drain it back into the city water supply, run the hose to your bathtub

[@HotTubOwnerHQ]

Thanks for the comment. Because of all the comments I get, and my inability to answer them all in a timely manner, I answered yours in a video scheduled for 2/22/21. Please check it out and thanks for being here! - Jeff

[@Therealmiracleworker]

Lots of good info on your videos, been watching a few of them as my tub will be delivered in a few weeks, still doing the ground works and having the 32amp supply/isolator installed. Oh Yuk does not seem to be available in the UK, but there are other products that seem to be the same stuff.