One of the most essential things about owning a hot tub is keeping proper water chemistry. The level of chlorine will determine how safe it is to use and how comfortable it is for anyone who will be using your hot tub.
Chlorine works as an effective sanitizer to help keep bacteria, algae, and other contaminants under control, but when you add too much chlorine, it will cause skin irritations, create strong chemical smells, fade the finish on your hot tub and harm hot tub parts. Understanding how to lower chlorine in your hot tub and how to rebalance the water afterwards will help you keep your hot tub clean, comfortable and long-lasting.
Most of the time, people end up with excess chlorine due to over-sanitizing their hot tubs. This can happen when too much particulate or shock chlorine is added at once, when the water volume is miscalculated, or when chlorine is added frequently without testing.
The likelihood of having excess chlorine is highest right after shocking the tub, since shocking your hot tub is a process of breaking down organic contaminants, and shocking your hot tub will temporarily pushes sanitizer levels above the normal range. Chlorine should be between 3-5 parts per million (ppm) regularly when you are using your hot tub.
Make sure to test your water before proceeding; you can use liquid test kits or test strips to complete this. Testing the water will confirm the level of chlorine and will also help give a perspective of the overall balance of water.
The overall balance of water would include the levels of both pH and alkalinity. Low pH levels make chlorine more aggressive and irritating, so pH needs to be addressed and maintained with chlorine on an ongoing basis to ensure safety, comfort, and equipment protection.
The simplest way to reduce chlorine levels is usually by using time. Chlorine dissipates naturally over time, especially with the hot tub cover off; running the jets with the cover off will allow the chlorine gas to escape more quickly, thereby lowering the chlorine level without the addition of chemicals and allowing for a safe, effective way to reduce the chlorine level.
This method can be effective if the chlorine level is moderately high and there is no need to use the spa immediately.
If the chlorine levels are very high, using partial water replacement is one of the best methods of lowering chlorine. Draining part of the water and replacing it with fresh water will immediately reduce the chlorine concentration.
In addition, this method will also reduce other dissolved solids that build up in the water over time. When you refill your spa, always re-test the water and adjust both pH and alkalinity as necessary.
If you need to reduce chlorine quickly to prepare for guests, you can add a chlorine neutralizer. Chlorine neutralizers typically contain sodium thiosulfate, and they work by neutralizing the chlorine chemically.
Although chlorine neutralizers can help you achieve an effective result, they should be used with care and in small amounts because overusing them may remove too much sanitizer from the water, potentially leaving the water without adequate protection against bacteria.
After lowering the chlorine level, it is very important to rebalance the rest of the water chemistry. The pH should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.6, and the alkalinity should measure between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm).
Maintaining proper alkalinity will stabilize the pH to prevent rapid swings that would cause either decreased effectiveness of chlorine or irritation to the skin. Always adjust the alkalinity first, followed by the pH.
The best preventative method for chlorine problems is consistency. You should test your hot tub water at least two to three times per week and always after heavy use.
In addition, you should measure the chemicals used to sanitize your spa carefully according to the manufacturer’s instructions based on the exact volume of water in your spa. You should also avoid shocking your spa tub significantly more often than necessary and consider using a floating chlorine dispenser to deliver sanitizer gradually.
Lowering chlorine in a hot tub is not simply a matter of reducing numbers displayed on a test strip but achieving a balanced water chemistry system with sanitizer, pH, and alkalinity all working together, where chlorine will work effectively and without discomfort or damaging effects on the water and spa.
By testing your water regularly, accurately measuring and adding the correct amount of chemicals as needed through a proper maintenance program, you can assure that your spa will have safe, clean, and enjoyable water every time you use it!