The Water Wizard: The Full Guide

This is likely tannins or minerals in the water. This often occurs if the spa is filled with untreated water from lakes, from wells, and in various regions such as South Florida.

Solution: Shock the water with granular chlorine or bromine at the ratio of 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons) of water. You may also use spa shock as per the directions on the package. Wait 24 hours, repeat application if necessary. Multiple applications may be required.

This is likely dirty filters and/or bather overload. The introduction of hairspray, makeup, deodorant, human waste, body lotions, hair gel, cologne, and perfume are hard on the water and can clog filters, inhibiting filtration. Many of the contaminants introduced by bathers are so fine that they can also pass through the filter media, remaining in suspension and impairing water quality. Thoroughly showering before using the spa will help prevent this.

Remember: 4 people in your spa is the equivalent of 200 people in a swimming pool.

Solution:

• Increase your filtration schedule to maximum for a day or two until the water clears.
• Clean your filter — see How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter.
• Shock the water with granular chlorine or bromine at the ratio of 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons) of water. You may also use spa shock as per the directions on the package.
• Use a water clarifying agent, available from your professional spa retailer.

A thorough filter rinse once a week, with a proper complete monthly cleaning, will suffice for most hot tub users. Keep in mind that the filter takes out whatever is put into the spa — it only takes one bather covered in body lotions to foul a clean filter.

Same cause as above — water with a high total alkalinity and/or high pH reading will become cloudy.

**Solution:** Lower your alkalinity to between 80–150 ppm and then ensure that your pH is 7.2–7.8, unless you are using Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner, in which case acceptable pH is from 7.2–8.2.

This is often the result of minerals naturally occurring in the water beginning to oxidize and create off-coloured water, though it’s more commonly associated with a filter or filtration problem — worn or dirty filters, or insufficient filtration. Your filters can never be too clean, nor can you ever have too much filtration.

Solution:

• Ensure sufficient filtration. Spas with low-volume circ pumps (sometimes called “hush pumps”) are designed to filter water 24/7. Spas with scheduled filtration should filter a minimum of 6–8 hours a day to maximize chemical performance. If you’re unsure of your system, consult your owner’s manual or your professional spa retailer.
• Clean your filter — see How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter.
• Shock the water with granular chlorine or bromine at the ratio of 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons) of water. Wait 24 hours, repeat if necessary.

If you’re struggling with recurring cloudy water despite trying the fixes above, check the following four things:

1. Are your filters properly cleaned? (Soaked in a filter cleaner such as Spa Marvel Filter Cleaner prior to rinsing, so the media looks like new — not dingy, stained, or smelly.)
2. Is your total alkalinity greater than 150 ppm, or your pH greater than 8.4?
3. Is your spa programmed to filter water for a minimum of 4 hours per day?
4. Do you struggle to maintain a sanitizer (chlorine/bromine) reading — added today, gone by tomorrow?

If you answered “no” to question 1, 2, or 3: that’s your cause — clean your filter, or lower your alkalinity/pH, or increase your filtration time (matching fixes above), then shock the water: granular chlorine or bromine at 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons). Wait 24 hours, repeat if necessary.

If you answered “yes” to all of questions 1–3, or “yes” to question 4: your spa is likely harbouring a contaminant — mould, algae, fungus, or bacteria. This requires a full decontamination — see How to Decontaminate a Hot Tub.

Water that’s too soft can cause foaming.

Solution: Increase hardness to 250 ppm.

Dirty filters are a common cause of foam.

Solution: Clean your filter — see How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter — and shock the spa water. After properly cleaning and reinstalling the filter, shock with granular chlorine or bromine at 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons). Wait at least 24 hours. If foaming persists, rinse the filter with fresh water, shock again, and wait another 24 hours. Repeat as necessary.

This is likely detergents or other foreign matter in the water. Foaming can be caused by detergents, makeup, and hair products introduced by bathers. Residual detergent in bathing suits, soap residue on skin, shampoo residue in hair, body lotions, and hair products all dissolve in the water — when the aerators turn on, a bubble bath is created.

Some filter cleaning agents can also cause foaming — always ensure all detergent is rinsed from the filter media after soaking. Spa Marvel Hot Tub Filter Cleaner does not cause foaming. Low-grade spa chemicals (typically from big-box stores), and some fragrances or essential oils, can also cause foam.

Solution:

• Quick fix: use a de-foaming agent from your spa retailer — instant results, but temporary.
• To eliminate foam more permanently: shock the water with granular chlorine or bromine at 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons). Wait at least 24 hours. If foaming persists, rinse the filter, shock again, and wait another 24 hours.
• If foam persists, or you want it gone fast: drain and refill the spa — often less expensive, faster, and easier than chasing out the foam through other methods.

Going forward:

• Minimize detergents by washing bathing suits without laundry detergent, and have bathers shower and rinse thoroughly before entering.
• Use an enzyme-based product like Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner, which helps prevent and remediate detergent-based foaming.
• Skip fragrances and essential oils in the water.
• Rinse filters thoroughly after any filter-cleaner soak.
• Use quality chemicals from a professional spa retailer.

This is likely dirty filters. Filter media becomes saturated with human waste and other contaminants introduced to the spa water, which can cause foul odours.

Solution: Clean the filter — see How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter — and shock the water: granular chlorine or bromine at 30 grams (1 ounce) per 1,000 litres (250 gallons).

You may have an intolerance to common spa chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, or non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate). Non-chlorine shock in particular can cause severe burns and rashes in some people — while rare, the reaction resembles contact with poison ivy.

Test for it: the Band-Aid test. Mix some of the chemical you want to test into a small vessel at the same ratio you’d add it to your spa, moisten the pad of a Band-Aid with a sample of that water, apply it to your skin for 2 hours, then check for a reaction.

Solution: Try switching chemicals — e.g., chlorine instead of non-chlorine shock, or bromine instead of chlorine, and vice versa. Alternatively, use products like Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner, or equipment like ozonators and UV lights, which clear the path for sanitizers — meaning less chlorine/bromine is needed to maintain your desired readings.

Bacteria can cause hot tub rash and usually affects multiple bathers — a brand-new spa isn’t automatically bacteria-free. Bacterial infections are often caused by poor sanitation practices, though some chlorine-resistant bacteria (such as pseudomonas, which causes hot tub folliculitis) can be difficult to eradicate.

Solution: This requires a full decontamination — see How to Decontaminate a Hot Tub.

Some medications can cause hot tub rash when soaking in hot water — this is particularly the case with some heart medications.

Solution: Consult your physician to see if your medication may be causing the rash.

An intolerance to hot water itself can cause rashes in some people.

Solution: Operate your spa at a lower temperature — ideally below body temperature, such as 98°F or less. Use the spa for shorter durations, and take a cool shower upon exiting.