HOT TUB CHEMISTRY 101: How to Keep Your Water Balanced

Swim University makes pool and hot tub care easy for millions of homeowners. Each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. This is the reason we created Swim University.

A clean hot tub isn’t just about adding sanitizer. If you don't add in the right amount of hot tub chemicals in the right order at the right time, you’re going to end up with some funky hot tub water. But don’t worry: the secret to keeping your hot tub alkalinity and hot tub pH balanced is knowing a little basic water chemistry.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Hot Tub Chemistry
00:45 - Hot Tub pH and Alkalinity
02:37 - Calcium Hardness
03:17 - Hot Tub Care Course
03:57 - Optional Chemicals
05:23 - How To Add Chemicals To Your Hot Tub

[sharonfuller]

Thank you! First time spa owner and was feeling overwhelmed by the chemistry. This helped a lot!

[dougromez-hrhn]

I wish u were around along time ago your videos are very helpful

[Nickelbees]

BEST hot tub 101 I've seen...thanks!! Makes me fee re-assured that I was doing everything correct!

[briparts]

we use colloidal silver for keeping our hot tub sanitized as we both have very sensitive skin. We have been doing this for 1 yr now and I love it. That is all we use. Sometimes there is a film on the top of the water or more so on the sides of the tub. I wipe it down with a micro fibre cloth (norwex) and clean the filter every 3rd day

[trevorgwelch]

I was a lab tech for many years and a high quality digital pHmeter is the best way to get a pH reading . ( Providing it has been properly calibrated ). Many swimming pools use bromine instead of chlorine .

[dimacedars]

You should aim to get the total alkalinity of your tub between the range of 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm) as anything above or below this will make balancing your pH level difficult.

[karenmichelle]

Thanks, this takes the confusion out of it :)

[sandramisita]

Been using baking soda and it t works great to Raise alkalinity and pH I hope that’s OK I only use 1 to 2 tablespoons maybe once a week if the levels are low

[Clarkstonlife]

I have well water and this is what works for me for startup: I use hot softened water from the laundry and hook up a hose. My PH starts off low but the alkalinity is off the charts high. PH will chase alkalinity so the next day ph is sky high. Then I use muratic acid a couple oz at a time every 30 minutes and it takes about 20 oz to finally get the alkalinity correct. It takes a few days to do this because I don't want the ph going too low while attacking alkalinity with acid. I wait 30 minutes with jets on between acid doses. Don't use too much acid in one day. The ph down is too expensive and acid works great just be careful. By running the jets the ph will chase the alkalinity. Once alkalinity and ph are set it barely ever changes. Then I add calcium and then finally sanitizer.

[OwenSampsonMinstR]

Could you possibly look into doing some sort of bespoke lay z spa chemical video please? Loads of people have bought them in the UK and have no idea how to maintain. I’m constantly pasting your channel on fb posts sending them here for tutorials. But, these lay z spa’s are not fixed hot tubs so could be slightly different due to design of the pumps etc?

[paulneale]

Hey team.
I changed out my hot tub water, added some chlorine, and some PH Up. I let the hot tub run for an hour, and then I tested it. The readings were all in line except my PH level. That was high. I went two days and it was still high. Everything else was still okay. Will adding the PH decreaser and letting the tub run, bring those numbers down?

[pubgbankclan]

Step one, flip your filter, step four, one scoop and two halves purified battery acid, five stir with ten foot Eternium pole, 6: run for your life 😅

[luvurkids]

How do we decrease the water hardness?

[monicavanderburg]

How long do you wait to test and add more chemicals if needed?

[shawnoandrew]

I do great woth keeping my pool in good shape all summer. I shouldn't have any trouble with a hot tub, right?

[bennyhill]

I don't chase alkalinity, I just adjust my pH & alkalinity level follows naturally.

[jay]

just got a new hot tub and i want to know where i find the link for the bioi filter cleaner, Sorry i`m new to this love the info many thanks

[lostfanatic]

Just bought a house and they left their hot tub. These videos have been invaluable! Thank you! You've got a new subscriber 😉👍

Random question... what do you do if your pH levels are at the lowest wrung and your Alkalinity is at the highest?

[GnlDanger]

Many other sources say ideal Alkalinity is 80-120 ppm, not 125-150.

[guitarriffsnlicks]

No mention of chlorine, we’re taught put chlorine in first the alkilinity then ph?