HOT TUB Chemicals 101: Which Ones Do You Need? | Swim University

There are 7 hot tub chemicals you absolutely need to keep your hot tub clean and clear. And there are a few that aren’t really necessary. We’ll show you how to pick the right hot tub chemicals and how much of each one you need to add to your hot tub.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Hot Tub Chemicals 101
00:19 - The 7 Essential Hot Tub Chemicals
00:42 - Testing Your Water
00:57 - #1 Hot Tub Sanitizer
02:46 - #2 Hot Tub Shock
03:44 - Hot Tub Maintenance Video Course
04:24 - #3 - #5 pH And Alkalinity Chemicals
06:20 - #6 Calcium Hardness Increaser
06:59 - #7 Hot Tub Line Flush Cleaner
07:27 - Optional Hot Tub Chemicals

Swim University®️ has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And 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. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University®️.

[SwimUniversity]

We hope this helps you understand which chemicals you need for your hot tub! And be sure to check out our Hot Tub Video Course at www.swimuniversity.com/spa

[teresathomas]

So informative. I had such a hard time with the water in my new hot tub. The guidelines that came with it are so vague. It didn’t emphasize how important it is to balance the alkalinity and ph first. I had water problems so quickly. And couldn’t keep the bromine level up. Once I watched your video I realized right away it is because I didn’t start with the basics. You made it so easy to understand. Thank you so very much. I emptied my hot tub and am starting again after not being able to use it for a couple of months due to the constant cloudy water and toxic odour.

[williamcarney]

Thanks for all the great info here and on your site. Keepin it simple for all of us diy'ers.

[Nolaman]

I just use spa frog jump start after filling, then spa frog float dispenser. Drain clean every 4 months, repeat. Guess I'm lucky my water always test fine.

[christinacastillo]

Are the Calcium Hardness Increaser and Line Cleaner necessary for an inflatable hot tub?

[InBobWeTrust]

Me: Which chemicals do I need?

Swim University: Yes.

[VoinaDear]

Oh my gosh! If that’s 101 I’d had to take a graduate course!

[fpv_austronaut]

One of the best videos I´ve seen so far :)

[rhammond]

Is this the same for inflatable hot tub?

[s.m.h.]

I’m new to the hot tub world and I purchased a used hot tub from a dealer that was in very good shape and it’s been sitting for the last four months I’ve used it twice
The reason I’m commenting is I noticed it has kind of slime on the inside walls when I put my hand in there I’m hoping I don’t have to drain and refill the tub to clean it. I’m hoping I can use some sanitizer or cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the walls and then perhaps use sanitizer and shock treatment.
Please share any information that you can, thanks

[maomerica]

Love your videos, many thanks for all the info!!! I decided to use Bromine as my sanitizer, and picked up a non chlorine - oxidizing shock. Can I alternate the non-chlorine shock with chlorine based shock every other week? Reason I ask is because my readings for "free chlorine" are coming in low every time, do I need to boost those up somehow with a chlorine shock, not the non-chlorine shock?

[tyejrt]

Do u recommend a certain brand of chemicals?

[TheMono]

Can you change to Bromine with the same water that was being treated with Chlorine

[cubaboymatt]

My hot tub dealer gave me “anti-foam” and “stain and scale control”. Will these be needed? When ?

[jeffranck]

The one case none of these videos seem to address is what to do if the total alkalinity is high and the pH is low. Somehow I find myself in that situation on a regular basis.

[carloslewis]

You should do a video on ozone and UV sanitation systems

[jamesclelland]

The first of use .got ph and alkaline chlorine.good after first day in use.check again water cloudy could not not get it right.took a sample to a pool&spa center .I had to drain it and refill only 4 days old.

[jackdawson]

Great info. Is Spa Perfect and Spa Marvel similar?. Spa Perfect is less than half the price

[mikes]

I’m getting my Masterspa Twilight 8.25 any idea if I should rinse the tub for the first time or things to do before I start it up for the first time? Thank you

[OhioBoii]

Sooo wait.. You mean i can't just drop in a couple bromine tablets and call it maintained?!? Ooops!! Lmao.
That's all I used last year and the water stayed clear for the entire duration before being changed how ever often i changed it. The filters were really clean, just a little bit of gunky stuff on them, but barely. I didn't have any issues..
Also, what's the difference between hot tub shock and pool shock? Does one have a different reaction than the other due to the hot and cold temperatures? Or is there really no difference and I can use the shock I use in the pool?