People buy hot tubs because they can be an amazing source of leisure and relaxation after a long day. Destress and relax your muscles with your private spa and get together with the other family members for a fun hour. See more about the hot tubs on this page here.
However, you need to make sure that you’re bringing in the right chemicals to keep the water clean and sparkling. Without the right solutions, you can still fill the tub with water and get the first soak where nothing much will happen. However, you may slowly realize that there are certain issues that you need to address after a week or two when the problems can become worse.
Cloudy water may begin to appear, and it would look slightly discolored. Odors can intensify, and you might even begin to see mold and algae in your machine. Owners are not going to drain the water every use because the pools are unlike the baths, and this is where you need the water to remain soft, clear, and fresh to prevent various illnesses. So, what are the essentials that you need to purchase?
1. Chemicals and Solutions
Debris, bacteria, and other microorganisms are often thriving in warm and moist environments, and this is where you should kill them as much as possible. With the right spa supplies, you’ll have balanced water that does not cause any skin or eye irritation on the users. Some of the more popular ones out there are the following:
Chlorine is used for sanitation and water purification, and they can come in powders, granules, and tablets. Cyanuric acid is the stabilizer of the chlorine that you’re putting in the water. It’s going to prevent the chemical from evaporating or being burned by the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Proper pH levels should be met, and this is where a reducer or an increaser can help you achieve a delicate balance. Alkalinity may be too high, and if this is the case, a sodium bicarb can be the way to go, and if it’s the other way around, muriatic acid can be used. They essentially keep the spa from corrosion or scale build-up.
Defoamer can provide a short-term solution for sudsy and soapy water. Clean the filters with them to ensure optimal function.
2. Buying Digital Meter or Test Strips
Proper balancing involves disposable strips that you can use to test the current situation of your hot tub. Multiple tests can also be done using other tools like a digital meter, where the levels of the pH should be around 7.2 to 7.8, alkalinity should be around 80 to 120 ppm, and chlorine should be around 2 to 4 parts per million.
3. Covers
If it’s heavily raining outside, the cover is going to be your first line of defense against the elements and the winds. Invest in a high-quality type that will keep the leaves, small animals, and bugs away. These covers should be able to withstand a higher moisture level, and they should be easy to clean. Heavy snowfall may also be common in the area, so in some places, these wrappers are non-negotiables.
Removal of the Scum in the Water
Filters exist to prevent bacteria, chemicals, debris, and dust from the water, but these contaminants can still accumulate over time, especially if not enough maintenance is done. Layers of scum may begin to float on the surface, and they’re going to create something nasty on the shell.
A common scum is the body residue that’s made up of thousands of skin cells. They are expelled in the process of bathing, but they can speed up if you’re soaking in bubbly and hot water. Hairs, oils, and sweat may also find their way into your spa, so you might want to remove them as soon as possible.
Personal care products are also on top of the list where the lotion, soap, perfume, shampoo, and everything that you’re using to smell great may get mixed into the water. Get more info about these kinds of scum at this link: https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/2522/soap-scum.
If you have jewelry on while soaking, some of the metals like gold, magnesium, iron, and copper can become highly concentrated, and they can cause stains which can result in a greenish scum. Wearing silver won’t also result in something good because chlorine will tarnish it, and it’s something that’s not going to be removed by regular jewelry.
Brownish water is caused by a higher pH level and this is when chlorine reacts with iron. It’s nasty, but it can also become greenish, like what happens to an old penny. The magnesium in the water will mix with the copper, so that it’s going to cause a change of color as a reaction.
If you’re seeing white flakes, they are probably deposits of calcium scale, and you can prevent all of them by having an increaser and correcting the pH of the water in your spa. Hose filters are going to keep a portion of huge metal and the sequestrant will clump everything together, and they can be grabbed by the filter before they oxidize.
