Water Testing Guide
If your hot tub water is looking cloudy or discolored, something is probably off. Of course, you want crystal clear water to relax in, so when you notice an issue, it’s important to test your water. Keep strips handy because you’ll probably be testing quite a bit. Most problems with hot tub water arise due to imbalance of chemicals.
The only way to know for sure is to test the water. You can use a test strip, a liquid test kit or bring a sample to your local spa supplier. Whichever you decide, it’s important to take the sample correctly.
Collecting a Sample
First, get a clean cup or a bottle with secure cap if you’ll be bringing the sample off site. Dip a water sample bottle upside down, going at least elbow deep into the hot tub water and scoop to collect the sample, well away from the jets.
Test Strips
- Get your water sample.
- Place one strip into the water quickly and take it right out.
- Let is sit still for 15 seconds.
- Match the strip to the guide on the package.
- Balance the water as needed.
Test strips will detect pH, alkalinity, and chlorine, as well as copper, and iron depending on which kind you get.
Liquid Test Kits
- Get your water sample with the included cup.
- Add phenol red to the water (pH side).
- Add OTO to the water (chlorine side).
- Hold the cup up against a white background, while comparing the water color to those on the cup’s scales. If you show a dark red, you have a high pH; if you get a dark yellow, you have a high chlorine level.
Ideally, you want a pH level between 7.4 and 7.6.
Professional Tests
Follow instructions as for above, but cap the bottle. Bring it to Central Jersey Pools so that one of our water care experts can test it..
You should test your hot tub water at least once a week.
Types of Water
If your hot tub water originated from a well, there’s a good chance it has a lot of iron and copper in it, you will want to make sure you purchase a pre-filter, also known as a Bobby filter to help limit the amount of metals that get into your spa. If your hot tub contains municipal water, it may have a lot of calcium and magnesium.
Copper
Do you see green or black stains on the shell? Is your water cloudy? This could indicate a buildup of copper.
Most standard spa test strips won’t reveal the presence of metals, so you’ll have to get a specialty strip.
If it’s found you have a high copper level, you can remedy it by:
- Adding a sequestrant which binds with metals so they don’t oxidize or rust. Once bound, the filter will remove them.
- Using a hose filter: Use this when filling your hot tub so it keeps metals out at the source.
Iron
If you have brown or rust-colored water, this means you have a lot of iron in your water. Test using specialty strips or kits once a month. Use the same remedies as above.
Calcium
Too much calcium leads to scaling in your sinks and showers. Too little calcium leads to fixture corrosion. This is why you have to keep your calcium hardness level well balanced.
In this case, you’re best off using a professional testing test kit rather than those store-bought test strips. You want to get between 175 parts per million (ppm) and 250 ppm.
To fix a high calcium issue, you can:
- Drain two inches of water and replace with soft water.
- Use a descaler.
To fix a high calcium issue, you can simply use a calcium hardness increaser.
Keep Testing
The best way to prevent problems from happening is to test often. Make sure you always have spa test strips on hand!
For assistance in testing your water, call Central Jersey Pools. Our technicians would be happy to help.