SPA/Hot tub chemistry question....

[soupy8728]

My spa/hot tub is connected to my pool so this question is for the folks who have a stand alone system:

Is the chemistry the same? What I mean is, do you still add the same types of stuff as you would your pool? Bleach, muriatic acid, borax....and the such? Just curious. I was in Leslies the other day buying a new o-ring and there was a couple in there asking questions and naturally they were sold about $75 worth of product so I gave them this website info and told them to read and ask questions before dumping that stuff in there. I'm just looking to be informed for the next time I run into someone in this situation. Thank you all!

~Carl

 

[JVTrain]

I chlorinate my pool and spa with the exact same chemicals. Test with the same kit. Etc, etc, etc. I do tend to push my FC higher in the hot tub because I don't lose it to sunlight (mostly covered) so I can wait longer between testing/adding bleach.

Wait! There is one difference! I use 8.25% bleach in the hot tub, 12.5% in the pool. Lower hypochlorite concentration is more stable and easier to bump up FC with larger volumes in a small tub.

 

[soupy8728]

Thanks Joel...so on the Pool Math calculator, you just substitute your numbers in? Number of gallons of water....blah blah blah....and are the targets still the same based on the FC/CYA charts? Sorry for the dumb question but I just don't want people to be discouraged from the enjoyment that we all partake in! LOL!

 

[JasonLion]

For a stand alone spa you use different TA levels, and you add chlorine after each time you use the spa as well as on a regular schedule. But by and large things are very similar. See the sticky at the top of the Spa/Hot Tub section of the forum.

 

[JVTrain]

Yep. All the same. For full details on maybe some slight variations on start up and maintenance this thread is AWESOME. How do I use Chlorine in my Spa

 

[soupy8728]

Thanks Jason.

 

[Isaac-1]

Also non-chlorine sanitation options are a lot more popular in Hot Tubs than pools, I am including use of Bromine in this as well as mineral / MPS etc.

 

[wayner]

What about SWG for spas - is that an option?

 

[Isaac-1]

It is, in fact I have one

 

[chem geek]

For example, ControlOMatic TechniChlor.