Why do I have cloudy water?
Possible Causes
- Lack of disinfectant in the water
- Buildup of bather wastes
- Incorrect chemical balance
- Filtration
How to clear cloudy water
There are various factors to consider at this point but the main consideration is when was the hot tub last drained and refilled?
It is recommended that you drain and refill your hot tub on a monthly basis, but this can be extended up to a maximum of 3 months if it is lightly used.
If the water is near to being changed as per the above guidelines, then the procedure and products required would differ from those required for a hot tub that would remain full and have the cloudy water treated to clear it up.
Let’s first think about a reasonably freshly filled hot tub and what could make it turn cloudy:-
- Lack of sanitiser
- Bather pollution
- Incorrect water balance
All of the above are relatively straightforward to remedy
LACK OF SANITISER (chlorine or bromine)
Cause
The sanitiser level in the water can become non-existent at any time through lack of maintenance, regular testing or an out of date or compromised testing method, we will focus on test strips as the primary method used to test hot tubs.
If there is not enough sanitiser in the water when you get in, it will be quickly used up and there will be nothing left when you get out
The absence of a sanitiser will allow bacteria to grow in the water, therefore making the water cloudy.
How To Recover
Shock dose your hot tub to boost sanitiser levels and remove bather wastes
In future, ensure that there is always sanitiser present in the water, you may need to utilise either a floating dispenser or an in-line sanitising system for this
Recommended products:
- AquaSPArkle Spa Fusion Sachet
- AquaSPArkle Non-Chlorine Shock
- AquaSPArkle Rapid / Granular Shock
BATHER POLLUTION
Cause
If bathers are either entering the hot tub wearing sun creams, body lotions, fake tan, cosmetic make up products, hair gel, massage oil or are not showering after a long day at work, then what they are introducing to the water (sweat, physical dirt and dust) will be causing the water to cloud up.
All of the above products and scenarios will quickly consume any sanitiser that is in the water and allow bacteria to grow and cause cloudy conditions.
How To Recover
A shock dose will be required to kill bacteria and oxidise, or “burn off” the bather wastes
Recommend products:
- AquaSPArkle Spa Fusion Sachet
- AquaSPArkle Non-Chlorine Shock
- AquaSPArkle Rapid / Granular Shock
INCORRECT WATER BALANCE
Cause
Chlorine needs to be able to work at its optimum efficiency and it can only do this if the total alkalinity, pH and TDS levels are within the recommended ranges.
All of these parameters, either individually or together in any combination, can cause cloudy water
How to recover
Using a reliable testing method firstly check the total alkalinity level
If the total alkalinity is not correct, then it will have an effect on the pH level:
- Too high and the pH is difficult to adjust
- Too low and the pH will fluctuate
When in the correct range the pH will be stable and can move freely
Once the TA level is correct then the pH can be adjusted
CAUTION – If the pH level is high and a large amount of pH minus is added, this can also reduce the total alkalinity level
Be sure to recheck both levels once the pH has been lowered
Readjust the TA level if required – adjusting the TA level will not affect the pH level
The pH level effects the efficacy of the sanitiser, the higher the pH the less efficient your sanitiser will be.
It is important to maintain pH levels and not let them drift above the recommended range
- Test the water regularly
- Use a reliable testing method
- Understand your water chemistry
Recommended products:
Increase total alkalinity levels
Adjust pH levels
- AquaSPArkle pH Plus
- AquaSPArkle pH Minus
Test the water
- AquaSPArkle 4 Way Test Strips
General advice
Test regularly, whether you are using your hot tub or not, come rain, shine, snow or rain, test every day
Pre bathing hygiene will keep your water fresher for longer
If there is an issue with water quality and clarity, then the problem will be in your filter too. Keep the filters clean, and fit cleaned and dried filters as part of your routine maintenance.
Remember, prevention is better than cure!