Total alkalinity is the most overlooked number in hot tub chemistry, but it controls almost everything else. Get it wrong and your pH will swing constantly, your sanitizer won’t work properly, and you’ll be chasing problems for weeks. Here’s how to dial it in correctly from the start.
Hot tub store shelves are overwhelming, but most owners only need five or six core chemicals to keep their water clean and safe. This guide breaks down exactly what each one does, what order to add them, and which products are worth skipping entirely.
Inflatable hot tubs are more work than hard-shell spas, but a simple weekly routine keeps them clean and safe all season. This guide covers the specific chemical targets, filter habits, and water change schedule that actually work for inflatable models. No fluff, just the routine.
Summer is the hardest season for hot tub chemistry. UV light destroys chlorine, heat speeds up chemical reactions, and more bathers mean more contaminants. This guide covers exactly how to keep up.
Running a hot tub typically costs between $20 and $100 per month, with electricity being the biggest variable. This breakdown covers energy, chemicals, filters, and water so you know what to expect and where to cut costs without cutting corners.
That slimy, sometimes smelly gunk coming out of your hot tub jets is biofilm, a bacterial colony living inside your plumbing lines. It won’t clear up on its own, but a proper line purge before your next drain and refill will get rid of it. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Most hot tubs need a full drain and refill every 3 to 4 months, but heavy use or stubborn chemistry problems can push that closer to every 6 to 8 weeks. This guide walks you through exactly how to time your water changes and what signs mean you’re overdue.
Cloudy hot tub water usually comes down to four culprits: low sanitizer, unbalanced pH or alkalinity, high calcium hardness, or a clogged filter. Testing your water and working through the causes in order will clear it up faster than dumping in clarifier and hoping for the best.
Getting your hot tub chemistry right from the first fill sets you up for months of clear, comfortable water. Skip the right steps and you’ll be fighting foam, cloudiness, or scale before you even break a sweat. Here’s a specific, practical guide to startup chemistry in the right order.
Hot tub foam is almost always caused by contaminants in the water – soaps, body products, or low calcium hardness. This guide explains the difference between a quick fix and a real fix, so you stop treating the symptom and start solving the problem.