Hot tub maintenance is a crucial part of a long-lasting spa experience and safety of anyone taking advantage of its relaxing benefits. The high temperatures a hot tub creates an environment that is suitable for quick bacterial growth, which is why you need to pay particular attention to its care.

Luckily, this isn’t a difficult thing to do, and many filter options, chemicals, and hot tub chemical alternatives, exist to help keep your water clean and your soaking experience safe. Take a look at the following treatment suggestions to help keep your tub running as it should.

The Three C’s

Keep in mind the three C’s for a clean, sanitized spa experience: Circulation, Cleanliness, Chemicals. These three work together to provide safe soaking and a long-lasting, more energy efficient hot tub. The products listed below work with these steps to ensure a clean, healthy, soaking experience.

3 boys enjoying on jacuzzi

Circulation

Moving water is critical to allow for proper water filtration. Most spas have a built in circulation timer that runs a few times a day for 15-20 minutes to filter out any impurities that have made their way into the system. If your tub doesn't have this feature, you can simply turn it on and allow it to run for about an hour once a day or every other day. This is especially important for when you aren’t using your tub very often.

Cleanliness

Wipe down the sides of your tub at least once a week, and do a more thorough drain and wipe down every three to four months, with a vinegar and water solution. Also, rinse and soak your filters regularly, especially if your tub has high usage. Replace as needed.

Chemicals

Measure your water pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels using simple chemical test kits. This should be done when fresh water is added, and then at a minimum, once a week to determine what changes you need to make to keep your water clean and safe. Maintenance kits keep your water levels where they need to be:

pH

tester with tablet and powder of chlorine or bromide for mainteance of water quality of jacuzzi or spa
tester with tablet and powder of chlorine or bromide for mainteance of water quality of jacuzzi or spa

To keep your sanitizer working as it should and to avoid water cloudiness, your water should test in a 7.2 to 7.8 pH range. If low, cloudy water will occur; if too high, the acidity of the water will wear away at your machinery.

Alkalinity

Try to keep your alkalinity range between 80 and 120. Ranges outside this will keep your sanitizer from being effective, and high ranges will result in scale buildup and cloudy water.

Sanitizer

Always follow the directions on your sanitizer (chlorine or bromine) packaging. Check after it has mixed thoroughly for pH and alkalinity levels.

Shocking the Water

pool maintenance equipments and chemicals

Sanitizers aren’t long lasting and are only efficient for a set amount of time, hence why you need to measure your pH and alkalinity on a regular basis. A spa shock is recommended to help remove organic contaminants (think of everything you BRING into the pool with you), kills bacteria, and removes the odors associated with chemicals (which is a waste product of the chemical itself).

This should be done once a week or more if it is used heavily even if you take advantage of the alternatives listed below. If you are choosing alternative options for sensitive skin, you may want to stay out of the water for at least 24 hours after a shock.

OZONE GENERATORS

Del Ozone Spa Eclipse 120/220V in beige background

Ozone filter systems work with ozone ready spas, but these products can also be mounted at the spa return line to take advantage of its powerful oxidizing disinfectant. Keep your spa clean, odor free, and help cut costs of expensive chemical when you use this filter system.

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MCD-50 Spa Ozone Generator

Del Ozone MCD-50U-12 Spa Ozonator in white background

Powerful and safe, you can use this system with an ozone ready spa, or plumb directly into the return line. Use less sanitizer, such as chlorine and bromine, as they work with the ozone generator to create a cleaner soaking experience.

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Periodic Products CuLator SpaPak Hot Tub Metal Eliminator and Stain Preventer

Hand holding a Periodic Products CuLator SpaPak Hot Tub Metal Eliminator and Stain Preventer, placing it to a tub with water

Help eliminate heavy metals found in your water source with the Periodic Products CuLator Eliminator Preventer. This product can be used when you fill your spa for a few days, or left in your spa, to help absorb excess amounts of copper, iton, manganese, lead, and cobalt to name a few.

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DR Global Solar Pool Ionizer

Use less harsh chemicals with the DR Global Solar Pool Ionizer that safely works to kill and prevent algae and other harmful bacterias. The production of copper ions through the energized solar panel works to decontaminate your water, making your chemicals much more effective so you can use less.

woman wearing bathing suit, lying down on the inflatable bed on the pool with DR Global Solar Pool Ionizer

Use less harsh chemicals with the DR Global Solar Pool Ionizer that safely works to kill and prevent algae and other harmful bacterias. The production of copper ions through the energized solar panel works to decontaminate your water, making your chemicals much more effective so you can use less.

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SunPurity Spa Mineral Purifier Chlorine Alternative

SunPurity Spa Mineral Purifier Chlorine Alternative in white background

A true chlorine and bromine alternative, the natural, organic minerals in this product filters water for a clean, smooth water feeling. Made to be compatible with Sundance spas, be sure to use as directed and still test the water for pH and alkalinity levels and adjust as needed.

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Zodiac Nature2 Express Pool Mineral Sanitizer

Zodiac Nature2 Express Pool Mineral Sanitizer in white background

Copper and silver ions work with the Zodiac Nature2 Express Pool Sanitizer to help kill algae and bacteria growth. It attaches to the return pipe easily and works for up to 6 months. Activated by a dose of pool shock chemicals, you then can allow your regular chemical use to lower as it takes over much of the cleaning process.

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Power Ionizer

Power Ionizer in white background

The Power Ionizer uses copper and silver minerals in conjunction with lower levels of pool and spa chemicals to simplify your water maintenance. With this device you can shock your pool just once a week and then let it go to work.

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Solaxx NUVO 1500 Above Ground UV System

Solaxx NUVO 1500 Above Ground UV System in black background with NUVO word watermark

Pathogen, bacteria, and viruses are zapped through the return pipe where you attach the Solaxx NUVO 1500 UV system. You still need to use chemicals, but you can use much less than if you used them on their own.

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Frog Filter Mate Mineral Sanitizer Spa Care Stick

Frog Filter Mate Mineral Sanitizer Spa Care Stick in white background

Reduce chemical use with the Frog Filter Mineral Sanitizer Care Stick as it eliminates bacteria, prevents algae, and neutralizes acidity. Compatible with suction side or pressure side filters, it can last up to 4 months and handle up to 600 gallons of water.

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Hot Spring Spa Continuous Silver Ion Purifier

Hot Spring Spa Continuous Silver Ion Purifier in white background

Positive silver ions work continuously to help kill bacteria and inhibit future bacterial growth. With the ability to last up to 4 months, it works with your regular shocking schedule to help keep your water in balance and provide a clear, clean soaking experience.

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Zodiac W20750 Nature2 SPA Stick Mineral Sanitizer

Zodiac W20750 Nature2 SPA Stick Mineral Sanitizer (2-Sanitizers) in white background

The Zodiac Nature2 Stick Mineral Sanitizer provides round the clock algae control, and drastically reduces your needs for chemicals when used properly. Use with regular shocks and filter circulation for clean, bacteria free water.

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Safe-N-Clean Spa Clarifier Gel Cap

Safe-N-Clean Spa Clarifier Gel Cap in white background

Clean up cloudy water quickly with these one a month Safe-N-Clean Clarifier Gel Caps quickly dissolves to enhance your spa filters capabilities to trap particles. Drop into the pump’s basket for the time release formula to begin working to clarify water almost immediately. Use a new one once a month for up to 1000 gallons of water.

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SeaKlear Spa Pods Shock Oxidizer

SeaKlear Spa Pods Shock Oxidizer in white background

Premeasured for up to 500 gallons of water, the SeaKlear Spa Pods are perfect for taking the guesswork out of shocking your tub. Quickly oxidize bacteria, contaminants, algae, and odors with these pods. All that is required is that you drop a pod into the water and allow your tub to circulate for 2 hours with the cover off.

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Zodiac Cense - Spa Shock and Aromatherapy

Nature2 Spa Cense Variety, 4-Pack in white background

Created to act as a chemical free shock treatment, the Zodiac Cense oxidant is infused with aromas for a pleasant scent experience. May be used on a daily basis and works best when a true chemical shock is given every so often as well according to consumers. Smells great and can last up to 2 days!

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Powerful 7% copper algaecide

Eliminator in white background

This eliminator is specific to reducing algae using a powerful 7% copper solution. This is fast acting with one bottle able to treat up to 160,000 gallons of water- making it very cost efficient. Fast acting and efficient, it kills algae on contact and keeps it from growing.

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Orb 3 Enzyme Cleaner

Orb 3 Enzyme Cleaner in white background

The Orb 3 Enzyme Cleaner is a safe cleaner for tub and surrounding surfaces, including covers. It uses eco-friendly surfactants and enzymes to get deep into cracks and crevices, and will not change your water chemistry if any were to get into the water.

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Natural Chemistry Spa Perfect

Natural Chemistry Spa Perfect in white background

Spa Perfect is exactly what you need for a regularly used hot tub treatment to help increase filter efficiency by breaking down and removing the body oils, soaps, deodorants, lotions, cosmetics, and dirt going in and out of water leaves behind. All you need is one ounce per 100 gallons of water per week to see results.

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Conclusion

If you have been looking for a spa treatment that lowers you need for harsh chemical use, the above options are excellent solutions. Each help regulate your water sanitization levels and works with existing filters and chemical shocks to keep you water clean of pollutants, odor, and bacteria. They also help clear up cloudy water, and allows you to soak in a clean, clear environment.

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know below. And, as always, please share.