Cloudy Hot Tub

What Causes Cloudy Hot Tub Water?

Causes include:

  • Dead algae particles
  • Debris from the environment
  • Bad filtration
  • Lack of sanitizer (i.e. chlorine)
  • High pH and/or alkalinity
  • Vandalism (let’s just hope it’s not vandalism)
  • Body oils, lotions, and other human elements

These are common causes to cloudy water in a hot tub, and unlike a pool, a hot tub can become cloudy quicker because of it’s small size. You’re dealing with a lot less water than a swimming pool.

3 Cures For Cloudy Hot Tub Water

Depending on your situation, you can use any of these techniques for getting rid of the cloudy, hazy water. If the water in your hot tub is less than 2 months old, then I suggest doing the following…

1. Test Your Hot Tub and Shock It

Before you shock the tub, you need to know what the chemicals levels in your water are.

  • pH is between 7.4 and 7.6
  • Alkalinity is between 100 and 150 ppm (parts per million)

If your water is properly balanced, then you can shock the water depending on the type of sanitizer you use.

[NOTE: When adding any chemicals to your water, be sure the hot tub is running but the air valves (the bubbles) are turned off.]

For chlorine or mineral sanitized hot tubs, use powdered chlorine and non-chlorine shock. For a 500 gallon hot tub, you would use 3 teaspoons of concentrated, powder chlorine or 2 ounces of non-chlorine shock (potassium peroxymonosulfate). Then let it run for about 20 minutes with the hot tub cover off.

For bromine sanitized hot tubs, use powered bromine and non-chlorine shock. For a 500 gallon hot tub, you would use 2 1/2 ounces of powered bromine or 2 ounces of non-chlorine shock (potassium peroxymonosulfate). Let it run for about 20 minutes with the hot tub cover off.

2. Use A Hot Tub Water Clarifier

When choosing a spa water clarifier, make sure the chemical is designed for hot tubs. DO NOT use a water clarifier for a swimming pool. Follow the direction on the back of the bottle when adding clarifier.

3. Drain and Refill

The beauty of owning a hot tub is the ability to easily drain and refill if you have a problem. We would recommend taking this route if you water is more than 2 months old.

If you use the hot tub quite a bit, you will need to change out the water frequently. Just think of it like a bath tub in your house. Would you just fill it up once and keep using the same water over and over again? No! That would be totally gross. Change the water in your hot tub!

For more advice please give us a call.