10 Causes of Cloudy Hot Tub Water

For hot tub owners there’s nothing worse than having cloudy water there are 10 causes of cloudy hot tub water and here are some tips on how you can correct and prevent them from occurring.

Number One, dirty filters, filters can only hold so much and when they’re full debris stays in the spa water making it cloudy. Proper filter cleaning practices are essential to maintaining clear water. For detailed instructions on how to clean your hot tub filters you can view our video on filter cleaning or email us for detailed instructions at solutions@spamarvel.com.

Number Two, bather overload, four people in a hot tub is the equivalent of 200 people in a swimming pool. If bathers don’t shower before using the spa they are using it as a bathtub and introducing contaminants to the water which can easily overwhelm your spa and cause cloudy water. To minimize this from happening insist that bathers shower thoroughly before using your spa. Changing the water is usually the fastest way to remedy cloudy water caused by bather overload. If that’s not possible, increase filtration times, install clean filters, shock the water, use a water clarifier and continue this regimen until the water clears. As the water becomes more clear the filter will begin to become soiled and may require additional cleaning or replacement.

Number Three, high pH or alkalinity, water that has a high pH or high alkalinity can quickly become cloudy or may even come out of the tap looking hazy. Balancing the alkalinity and pH to proper ranges will clear the water.

Number Four, minerals in the water, when minerals in the water such as copper and iron begin to rust the result is discolored cloudy water that often appears green or yellow to clear it shock the water wait a minimum of 24 hours and if the color persists, shock the water again and wait at least another 24 hours, repeat as necessary multiple applications may be required.

Number Five, old filters, as filters age the 20 micron holes in the fabric get worn out and become larger. While a filter may look good to the naked eye a one-year-old filter can be worn to the point where it will allow twice as much debris to pass through it as it did when it was new causing the water to remain cloudy a filter should be replaced after at most a year of use or a dozen cleanings whichever comes first.

Number Six, not enough sanitizer, when sanitizer levels are low impurities that are introduced to the water from bathers or other environmental sources can overwhelm the sanitizer resulting in cloudy and potentially microbiologically unsafe water, maintaining sanitizer levels as per regulatory agency guidelines will prevent this.

Number Seven, insufficient filtration times. It takes time to filter debris from a hot tub make sure your spa is scheduled to filter for at least six hours per day or if your spa uses a low volume hush pump it should be programmed for the longest duration, preferably 24 hours per day if possible.

Number eight, debris in the water contaminants introduced from creams deodorants and other body care products can be so small that they pass right through the filter causing cloudy water this can be corrected by using a water clarifier that will collect the debris into larger mass that can then be trapped by the filter allowing the water to clear.

Number Nine, hot tub contamination, mold, algae fungus, biofilm or bacteria can cause cloudy water. You will need to decontaminate your spa. For detailed instructions on how to do this you can email us at solution@spamarvel.com.

Number Ten, filling with turbid water, this happens most often when filled with water from a lake or a well, the water can contain tannins or oxidized minerals such as iron oxide that can make the water cloudy. Shocking the water will clear it up and you can help to prevent this from occurring by using a garden hose pre-filter like Spa Marvel’s X10 water filter to fill the spa.

Following these guidelines will help you to get rid of and to prevent cloudy hot tub water from happening. Keep your spa environment pristine. With Spa Marvel you can greatly decrease the amount of chemicals needed to maintain your spa. Spa maintenance has never been so simple.

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