How to Put Chemicals in Your Hot Tub

Confused about hot tub chemicals? Every hot tub user will need to have a list of spa treatment chemicals on hand to maintain their tub. For a description and information on how to apply them- look no further.

Do I need to put chemicals in my tub?

Yes. Every Hot Tub, or even swimming pool, requires sanitizers and cleaning to remain clean, clear and safe for bathers.

What are the most commonly used hot tub chemicals?

• Test Strips - At bare minimum, every hot tub owner should have test strips for maintaining PH and sanitizer levels. Luckily, the AquaChek 6 in1 test strips, linked below, can help you regulate both categories, but it is important to know that they are often sold separately.

• Sanitizers Chlorine - Granular chlorine is a fast dissolving, inexpensive sanitizer. The price point of Chlorine is often its best feature, as it takes more effort to maintain due to its reaction with organic material. Combining with either ammonia or nitrogen can cause the typical “pool smell,” an indication that a shock treatment is needed for the now inactive Chlorine to disinfect the water.

• Bromine - While often more expensive and it is more productive at smaller amounts than Chlorine.  Also be aware you will lkely need to use a larger amount of bromine, but because you don't need to use it as often it is possible the cost might be the same.

• Spa Shock - Shock is an oxidizer that eliminates organic matter from your hot tub. This organic matter can be anything from human remnants (skin, hair, fluids) to microscopic bits of leaves and grass. Using spa shock weekly, or after each use can eliminate this contamination; and help keep the spa water crystal clear and sanitizers fully functioning.

• PH Balancers - When your test strips come back high or low on the PH scale, you must use a PH balancer to keep the water safe and comfortable for your bathers. A neutral PH also reduces cloudiness, scale formation and increases the performance and life span of your spa. A low PH can be corrected with our PH plus, and a high PH can be corrected with our PH minus products, both linked below.

There you have it – your basic hot tub chemical kit. However, there are a few more products you may want to have on hand for when a problem pops up, such as calcium increaser, clarifiers, cartridge and spa cleaner and defoamers. If you have any questions about a reaction you see in your tub, call your tub supplier for help, or follow a page in our guide.