Hot tubs are designed to be enjoyed, whether it’s soaking at the end of the night, or relaxing with friends on the weekend. Hot tubs are designed for maximum enjoyment, so of course, one will want to enjoy them to their full potential. To enjoy them to the fullest, one needs to know how to maintain them. As there are various types of hot tubs, this article will give an insight into the best blow-up hot tubs chemicals for maintenance.
In order to ensure your hot tub is maintained and working properly, you will need to perform regular maintenance. Regular hot tub maintenance will help ensure that the water is clean and clear for relaxing. Hot tub owners usually have a couple of different options when it comes to maintenance.
However, all owners still need to put chemicals in the water as part of regular hot tub maintenance. Even if some products are not part of regular water care, there are hot tub chemicals that you should always have at home. Like sanitiser and products to adjust the pH and total alkalinity.
Why Blow-Up Chemicals?
Blow-up hot tubs need chemicals because they are inflated with air rather than filled with water. It is important to have a pump or a filter in the tub to push air into the tub. If one does not have one of these then it is crucial to add air to the tub every 1-2 days. The chemicals in blow-up hot tubs are used to keep the water in the tub clean and free from bacteria.
The chemicals work to kill off any bacteria that may form in the water. They also help keep the water from turning green and stinky. Chemicals should be added to your hot tub about every 2 weeks to keep it clean and fresh. Below are some of the chemicals you should keep an eye on and what the blow-up chemicals will do:
- Sanitisers – these keep your water clean and hygienic
- Oxidizer – also known as ‘shock’; it super-cleans the water and helps reactivate your sanitiser
- pH levels – checking that your water isn’t too alkaline or acidic
- Total Alkalinity – a.k.a TA, this enables you to control the pH of your water
- Calcium – stops the water from corroding your hot tub
Chemicals For Blow-Up Hot Tubs 2022
Sanitisers
Sanitisers are very important in keeping hot tub water clean. They are used to kill bacteria which can easily thrive in warm untreated water of a spa.No matter how sparkly the water is, ensure to add a sanitiser. Chlorine and bromine are the most commonly used sanitizing chemicals. They are both very effective so choosing between the two is a matter of preference.
The addition of chlorine salts to the water supply ionizes the water so it can kill bacteria, viruses and other microbes. Water which contains iron or manganese is less effective in killing bacteria than water which does not. Iron and manganese react with the chlorine and cause it to form a harmless yellow hydroxide which precipitates to the bottom of the water supply tank.
In general, bromine like the Brominating Concentrate Granules from Spa Essentials is more expensive than chlorine. However, bromine does not leave that distinct chlorine smell and lasts longer. In addition, you need a much lesser quantity of bromine to keep your hot tub water clean than with chlorine.
On the other hand, chlorine chemicals like the Swim Best 50 lbs Bucket 3″ Swimming Pool Chlorine Tablets are a lot cheaper. It offers a much lower maintenance cost in the longer run. That is why this is widely used in public pools and spa centres.
In case you’re allergic to chlorine or want a more natural approach, a saltwater inflatable spa can treat the water with fewer chemicals. The system makes use of salt and converts it to a natural water sanitiser.
There are three different sanitisers to choose from, so you are going to have to decide which one you are going to use. There are advantages and disadvantages of each one, and generally, it comes down to personal preference. The three sanitisers are:
- chlorine
- bromine
- minerals
Chlorine
Chlorine is a type of sanitiser that is used in hot tubs. It is a gas that is released by the reaction of salt, water, and acid. This gas is then absorbed into the water to kill bacteria and prevent the growth of fungi and algae. Chlorine raises the salinity level of the water, which helps to protect your skin from irritation. It is also used to raise the pH level of the water to help prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.
Chlorine is the most popular inflatable hot tub water sanitiser by far. That’s because it’s very good at chlorine granules for inflatable hot tubs destroying bacteria, and it is the cheapest sanitiser one can buy. However, it is also has a slight odour, and therefore some inflatable hot tub owners prefer bromine.
So if one decides to use chlorine in an inflatable hot tub, then that’s the smell one might get – although it will not smell anywhere near as strong, because the hot tub is a lot smaller. Strangely, the smell of chlorine in a hot tub is a good thing. That’s because chlorine only smells like that when it is ‘dying’.
And the reason it dies is when it attacks and destroys harmful bacteria in the water. So when the smell of chlorine comes off the water in the portable hot tub, that means it’s doing its job! There are two types of chlorine:
- Chlorine granules
- Chlorine Tablets
Chlorine Granules
To use chlorine granules as your sanitizer, you can either add the correct amount directly to the hot tub and let the heat of the water dissolve them and the air jets send them swirling around. In this way, you know the granules have fully dissolved and are set to work immediately. But you still need to wait at least 2 hours before you can use your hot tub. Get the Spa 56 Chlorinating Granules at Amazon.
Chlorine Tablets
The tablets dissolve slowly, so the chlorine will gradually spread through the water and start to work. Therefore, you will have to wait at least 2 hours before you get into the hot tub. As the days go by, you always check the levels of chlorine in the water and add another tablet if necessary. However, if you prefer tablets to granules, then you can get super 3\” Chlorinating Tablets at Amazon.
Pros
- cheapest sanitizer
- fast-acting
- easy to use and control
- aggressive bacteria killer
Cons
- chemical odour
- needs shocking to reactivate
- can irritate sensitive skin
- pH levels need regular checking
Bromine
Bromine is used to sterilise and sanitise hot tubs. It’s equally effective as chlorine at keeping the water clean, and it has the advantage of being odourless. However, bromine costs a little more than chlorine, and that prevents many people from using it. It also doesn’t last as long as chlorine, so you will need to add it more frequently to the water in your inflatable hot tub. This, of course, also drives up the cost.
As with chlorine, you can use either bromine tablets or bromine granules. The procedure for each is the same as with chlorine. It is often used in water parks and pools as well as in the home. Bromine is a very powerful chemical that can kill bacteria and other microorganisms. that live in water. It is a very effective sanitiser and is able to kill bacteria that are found in chlorinated water.
Bromine is often mixed with other chemicals and additives to produce different types of sanitiser. For example, in many swimming pools, the disinfectant is a combination of chlorine and bromine, called “chlorine and bromine”. The bromine in swimming pool water is sometimes also referred to as stabilised chlorine. You can get both bromine granules and tablets on Amazon.
The main difference between chlorine and bromine, and one that you need to keep in mind, is that because bromine is slower to work in the water, you need to wait longer before you can get into the hot tub. The minimum recommended time is 4-8 hours, depending on the size of your hot tub.
Pros
- aggressive algae killer
- good choice for anyone with sensitive skin
Cons
- costs more to use
- needs more frequent replacement
- slower acting
- breaks down in sunlight
Minerals
Using minerals is a lesser-known option as an inflatable hot tub sanitiser. It’s most often a mix of silver, copper, and other minerals, which act together to kill the bacteria in the water. However, minerals are not a substitute for chlorine or bromine! They simply reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine you need to add to your hot tub water.
So if you want to use a mineral sanitiser, you are still going to have to add a small amount of either chlorine or bromine to work together with the minerals in sanitizing your hot tub water. You’re also going to need some oxidizer as well. So as you can see, using minerals as your main sanitiser is not only a little more complicated, it can work out quite expensive as well.
Pros
- eco-friendly
- odourless
- much less chemical content
Cons
- still needs chlorine or bromine
- needs shocking to reactivate the chlorine clumsy to use correctly
Shock (Oxidizer)
These chemicals are the second line of defence against water contaminants. It destroys those impurities that were able to escape your standard water sanitisers. Hence, the shock (and awe) approach. It works best in clearing body materials like dead skin particles, oils, lotions. It also clears out microorganisms and algae.
That is why when the hot tub\’s water is cloudy, even after adding your water sanitisers, what is needed is a shock chemical. However, not all hot tub chemicals of this type are compatible with both chlorine and bromine. It is crucial to make sure to read from the label about its compatibility.
A shocking agent releases oxygen into the water, which serves a similar function as chlorine. Shocking the water increases the total chlorine level above the recommended level for a brief time. The process sanitizes the water and removes the things you don’t want — like chloramines and bacteria.
There are three types of shock you can use, depending on the sanitiser you use:
- chlorine shock – to be used if you use a chlorine sanitiser. You can get a chlorine shock at Amazon.
- bromine shock – to be used if you use a bromine sanitiser. You can get a bromine shock at Amazon.
- non-chlorine shock – an alternative choice, whether you use chlorine or bromine sanitiser; also recommended for hot tubs with a mineral sanitiser. You can get a non-chlorine shock at Amazon.
pH Levels Adjuster
To keep the blow-up hot tub pH in check, it is essential to have a pH increaser and a pH decreaser. Just like as the name indicates, you will use a pH increaser if your pH is low and a pH decreaser if the level is high. You can get a pH increaser and pH decreaser at Amazon.
But what is pH and why should one care? It indicates how acidic or “basic” your hot tub water is. You want your water to be neutral so it is safe to soak in. Low pH can irritate the skin and damage the spa. High pH can also cause eye and skin irritation while making the sanitiser ineffective. High water acidity may not melt your skin away but it is damaging nonetheless.
The pH of the hot tub water should be between 7.6 and 8.6. What\’s the best pH level for my spa? How should one test pH levels? Test the pH levels of your spa water, and learn what is the ideal level for your body. The best pH level for your spa is between 7.2 and 7.6. pH levels higher than 7. 6 cause corrosion, and pH levels lower than 7. 2 can irritate the skin.
In addition, when your hot tub water is on the acidic side, your water sanitisers become less effective. That’s why it’s necessary to keep your pH level optimal to avoid these cascading negative effects. The idea is that a high pH level means the water is on the alkaline side while a lower value means it’s too acidic.
In order to maintain this level, you need to check the pH of your spa water more frequently. Use your water testing strips above to see if you have reached the neutral point. Also, add some water to the tub to get it back to an optimal level. As a guideline, it is recommended to check the pH daily in the summer months and weekly in the offseason. Taking a reading at the start of the day is best. If the pH is too high or too low, it is possible to adjust accordingly.
Sequestering Agent
A sequestering agent helps remove calcium and heavy metals from your water. The presence of metals or minerals can cause your hot tub water to turn an unsightly hue— brown, red, orange, or green. You can get one at Amazon.
When to add a sequestering agent: Use a sequestering agent if your hot tub water is brown, red, orange or green. It is also important to add a sequestering agent when adding water to a blow-up hot tub. The basic chemicals for hot tub maintenance include a pH increaser, pH decreased, and sodium dichlor chlorine granules.
Inflatable Hot Tub Troubleshooting
Despite your best efforts, there will be occasional times when your inflatable hot tub develops some problems and you need to deal with them. This easy-to-follow table shows you the most likely problems and what to do in case such happens.
The Problem | The Cause | Solution |
Cloudy water | Filter problems | Replace the filter cartridge |
Rough hot tub sides and floor | Too much calcium | Check sanitiser levels and adjust |
Green water and/or Slippery floor and sides | Algae | Shock the water |
Sanitiser levels keep dropping | Excessive contamination or the hot tub has been left stagnant for too long | Shock (and shock again 24 hours later if required) |
pH readings keep changing | Alkalinity is too low | Raise the Total Alkalinity level |
Conclusion
These blow-up hot tub chemicals are not as expensive as some people think. They can be found at a local hardware store and are easy to install. They will keep your water clean and free of bacteria. You will also save money on your electricity and water bills.