Water Chemistry Chemical Management
Ideal Ranges
| Free Chlorine w/ ClearRay | 1.0 – 2.0 ppm |
| Free Chlorine w/o ClearRay | 3.0 – 5.0 ppm |
| Free Bromine w/ ClearRay | 2.0 – 4.0 ppm |
| Free Bromine w/o ClearRay | 4.0 – 6.0 ppm |
| MPS Weekly | 2 oz. per 250 gallons |
| Alkalinity | 80-120 ppm |
| pH | 7.2 – 7.8 |
| Calcium Hardness | 200–350ppm* |
| Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) | 30–70ppm |
| TDS | Less than 1500 ppm |
| Copper | 0.00 – 0.03 ppm |
| Iron | 0.00 |
**Calcium is necessary in order to keep your water chemistry safely balanced. If you are using “softened” water, which is normally stripped of calcium, use a calcium increaser in order to prevent corrosive conditions.
FAQ & Answers
Q: How often should I change my water and why?
A: The default answer here is every 3 to 4 months. The reality is the smaller the hot tub, the more often the water will need changed. The larger the hot tub the longer you can go between changes. This will also depend on how many people are using the spa, how often, for how long, and what types of lotions, deodorants, and other organic substances may be on those people. As time goes on, these total dissolved solids (TDS) accumulate in the water making it difficult or impossible to keep your hot tub water chemistry in check. The average hot tub holds 400 gallons of water. The average household of 5 uses that in a day so don’t feel too bad about doing a drain and refill. Stretching your water’s life out beyond 3-4 months will only result in frustartion, wasted money, and potentially damage to your hot tub’s components.
Q: My chlorine or bromine levels seem to drop to zero almost instantly. What’s going on and what do I do?
A: This is what we refer to as “high chlorine demand.” Essentially, there is enough undesirable organics in your water, like bacteria, that is over powering your sanitizer. In some cases, super chlorinating by bringing you sanitizer levels to approximately 20+ ppm will return your water to normal. In most other cases, we recommend decontaminating by bringing your sanitizer levels to 100 ppm for 1 hour, cleaning above the water line with a bleach and water solution, cleaning your filters thoroughly, and doing a drain and refill. Please refer to the “decontamination” section of your owners manual for the steps.
Q: My water is cloudy, what should I do?
A: We always ask you check a couple things. If your water is older than 4 months drain it and refill. Next up, clean your filters really, really well regardless of how they look. Next, check and balance your water chemistry pH and alkalinity. Last, super chlorinate and add a spa shock (Enhance Shock preferred). We always recommend the SpaGuard Brand.