HOT TUB Chemicals 101: Which Ones Do You Need?

[@SwimUniversity]

The Hot Tub Cheat Sheet (Free): swimu.com/spasheet The Hot Tub Handbook: swimu.com/handbook The Hot Tub Video Course: swimu.com/spacourse

[@shamon1351]

thank you for all info ,could u plz tell us what kind off umbrella I need inside the pool with chlorine water ?

[@teresathomas3647]

So informative. I had such a hard time with the water in my new hot tub. The guidelines that came with it are so vague. It didn’t emphasize how important it is to balance the alkalinity and ph first. I had water problems so quickly. And couldn’t keep the bromine level up. Once I watched your video I realized right away it is because I didn’t start with the basics. You made it so easy to understand. Thank you so very much. I emptied my hot tub and am starting again after not being able to use it for a couple of months due to the constant cloudy water and toxic odour.

[@Nolaman70]

I just use spa frog jump start after filling, then spa frog float dispenser. Drain clean every 4 months, repeat. Guess I'm lucky my water always test fine.

[@robertaeastman8492]

@Nolaman 1970 - do you use the Bromine Frog or the Frog Ease chlorine product?

[@williamcarney5479]

Thanks for all the great info here and on your site. Keepin it simple for all of us diy'ers.

[@djs134]

I’m using a jacuzzi j-385 with a clearray bulb and mineral stick. I’m trying to maintain a low chlorine level of 1-2ppm. That being said my tub is 500 gallons and I go in with my wife for 20 minutes a day, we take showers before we go in. Does 2 teaspoons of granulated chlorine after each use and shocking with 2 tablespoons of non chlorine shock once a week sound about right. I just refilled my tub, cya was through the roof so I think I was using too much chlorine before. Just got a Taylor water test kit, my strips seemed to inaccurate

[@christinacastillo1089]

Are the Calcium Hardness Increaser and Line Cleaner necessary for an inflatable hot tub?

[@InBobWeTrust]

Me: Which chemicals do I need? Swim University: Yes.

[@fpv_austronaut]

One of the best videos I´ve seen so far :)

[@s.m.h.7480]

I’m new to the hot tub world and I purchased a used hot tub from a dealer that was in very good shape and it’s been sitting for the last four months I’ve used it twice The reason I’m commenting is I noticed it has kind of slime on the inside walls when I put my hand in there I’m hoping I don’t have to drain and refill the tub to clean it. I’m hoping I can use some sanitizer or cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the walls and then perhaps use sanitizer and shock treatment. Please share any information that you can, thanks

[@rhammond7517]

Is this the same for inflatable hot tub?

[@maomerica9266]

Love your videos, many thanks for all the info!!! I decided to use Bromine as my sanitizer, and picked up a non chlorine - oxidizing shock. Can I alternate the non-chlorine shock with chlorine based shock every other week? Reason I ask is because my readings for "free chlorine" are coming in low every time, do I need to boost those up somehow with a chlorine shock, not the non-chlorine shock?

[@VoinaDear]

Oh my gosh! If that’s 101 I’d had to take a graduate course!

[@tyejrt]

Do u recommend a certain brand of chemicals?

[@SwimUniversity]

We have a list of all the chemicals we recommend here: www.swimuniversity.com/hot-tub-essentials/

[@aaronjs2981]

@@SwimUniversity this list has waaaaay more options than my brain can cope with as a beginner. Any chance you could make a list of “essentials” that don’t include “wood stain” etc? I just need to know what you recommend for: inflatable hot tub -which 5 purchases, swim spa -which 5 purchases…. Etc

[@joshfrandsen9526]

What kit works best for the sb-hwf10?

[@lonesome_crowded_life]

Would this all be true for an inflatable hot tub as well? Chemicals won't mess up the inflatable version?

[@SwimUniversity]

Yes

[@cubaboymatt1316]

My hot tub dealer gave me “anti-foam” and “stain and scale control”. Will these be needed? When ?

[@SwimUniversity]

Those are temporary, quick fixes but don't solve the underlying issues. For example, stains can happen from chemical imbalances and consistent foam issues could be a build-up of the product (like shampoo). You can check out our post here for more information: www.swimuniversity.com/hot-tub-foam/

[@TheMono25]

Can you change to Bromine with the same water that was being treated with Chlorine

[@TheMono25]

Hottub

[@MrMightyTrice]

No

[@mikes5411]

I’m getting my Masterspa Twilight 8.25 any idea if I should rinse the tub for the first time or things to do before I start it up for the first time? Thank you

[@kengarza5955]

Good job explaining

[@carloslewis5723]

You should do a video on ozone and UV sanitation systems

[@SwimUniversity]

Great we'll add it to the list!

[@jackdawson3276]

Great info. Is Spa Perfect and Spa Marvel similar?. Spa Perfect is less than half the price

[@kennethdavis2865]

I never see any mention of sodium bromide .My bromine last only few hours/ day. I was told a bromide bank should be added to hot tub. Is this true.

[@OhioBoii330]

Sooo wait.. You mean i can't just drop in a couple bromine tablets and call it maintained?!? Ooops!! Lmao. That's all I used last year and the water stayed clear for the entire duration before being changed how ever often i changed it. The filters were really clean, just a little bit of gunky stuff on them, but barely. I didn't have any issues.. Also, what's the difference between hot tub shock and pool shock? Does one have a different reaction than the other due to the hot and cold temperatures? Or is there really no difference and I can use the shock I use in the pool?

[@jeffranck6080]

The one case none of these videos seem to address is what to do if the total alkalinity is high and the pH is low. Somehow I find myself in that situation on a regular basis.

[@619caliman]

San Diego and hot weather areas probably don't need more calcium.

[@Reign_In_Blood_963]

If you live in Indiana you have no need for calcium increaser or alkalinity increaser. Just add some tap water.

[@TehStryker]

How long should I wait to retest after adding any of these chemicals?

[@nitapita8744]

I think it's 15-20 mins

[@jamesclelland1005]

The first of use .got ph and alkaline chlorine.good after first day in use.check again water cloudy could not not get it right.took a sample to a pool&spa center .I had to drain it and refill only 4 days old.

[@GR-mw1tk]

This is a great video however it falls a bit short. What If you live where the town water is a well water that has Manganese and they add phosphorus to try and keep the green color out since by law they need to add chlorine which in turn discolors the water due to the levels of manganese. This has become a nightmare and my tub is more than an ascetic. I have to date not found anyone who can resolve this . I add metal begone or other metal removers but the water cloudy and greenish. I have owned this Hot Tub since 05 and had hard water in another state, I was able to balance and keep it usable with ease. I have been using Bromain as a sanitizer rather than chlorine.

[@jasonpierce36]

Have a water truck deliver!

[@MrMightyTrice]

What type of filter are you using to fill water?

[@GR-mw1tk]

An RV fresh water hose filter but I’ve also used one for hot tubs. There must be a ton of manganese in the towns well water

[@ruuman]

Thanks

[@willugoupordown]

What about Cyanuric Acid? Is it not needed in a hot tub?

[@mcstews]

Not needed

[@shanew7361]

What if your ph is to high but your alkalinity is fine?

[@RuggedGoodLooks]

there is ph decreaser you can buy

[@martingwynfawke]

I was taught that a ph less than 7 is acidic, more than 7 is alkaline.... In what way is the alkalinity different to ph?

[@ginoroy9952]

​@@martingwynfawkeit's all explained in the video

[@BibleStoriesandBeyond]

Nice!

[@nosirrahm]

I thought chlorine burns off easily.

[@keithcook1599]

Book of Mormon central

[@zackdreamcast]

This seems impossible....

[@Nolaman70]

It's really not, just use spa frog start, then spa frog floating dispenser. Drain after 4 months, wipe down with rubbing alcohol, fill repeat.

[@d-boyzeighteenhundred]

@@Nolaman70 did you buy the whole kit for $70? Or just the spa frog jump start and then the spa frog bromine and mineral cartridge?

[@rudolphking9971]

well the facts wrongs on chrolrine is it doesnt have a smell only smells when you piss in it