The shock treatment of a hot tub is for curative or corrective purposes. Hot tub shock is usually used once the water has lost its clarity or if it has changed in color. If you think that the water quality will get worse in the next 24 hours, adding a hot tub shock chemical will do the trick.
Given the chemical load applied by the shock treatment, some recommend that it should be done only in exceptional cases. Others recommend doing it at least once every 2 weeks in the middle of summer. Still, others advise doing this once a week for new water, and then exceptionally as the water ages and stabilize.
Basically, it depends mainly on the care taken to maintain your pool and the water it contains. In any case, if the water begins to become cloudy or green, do not wait and act as quickly as possible.
List of Hot Tub Chemicals Needed for Complete Spa Maintenance
Hot tub shock treatments are the occasional use of chemicals to reduce the contaminants and oils that accumulate in the bathers’ hot tub water. The spa shock treatment breaks down organic contaminants to keep the water clear and clean. Potassium peroxymonosulfate is a chlorine-free shock treatment that oxidizes contaminants in water.
Why shock treatment?
If water disinfection, maintenance, and filtration of the pond are properly carried out, this procedure is normally very rare.
But the hazards of a hot tub’s life can disrupt water quality: heavy use, capricious weather, equipment failure, lack of maintenance, or any other anomaly.
The water can then quickly fester and be invaded by algae in less than 48 hours, taking on a bizarre coloring that is not very attractive for swimming and potentially dangerous for your pond.
Faced with this type of inconvenience, shock treatment is a radical solution to restore clean and healthy water. Its chemical charge eradicates all micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses, algae, mosses or fungi that have taken possession of the premises.
When is a shock treatment done?
Although this is an exceptional procedure, as the water ages (chemists talk about the age of the water), shock treatment will become less rare. Its purpose is to use chemicals to restore good swimming conditions.
What products should I use to shock my pool?
Choosing hot tub chemicals that is compatible with your pond is a basic principle
With a little experience, you will know the products you need.
If this is the first time or a pool you don’t know, remember that there are no stupid or unnecessary questions. It is better to find out and ask when you are not sure what you are doing, whether it is at a specialist store, a forum or a friend. You will save time, money and frustration with the condition of your pool water.
Treating your hot tub with chlorine
Chlorine has a rather bad reputation. However, it is a very good disinfectant, as long as the balance of the hot tub water is well respected. It is the most powerful and cheapest treatment.
These are pellets that are placed in the skimmer or in a floating dispenser for progressive distribution (diffuser)
Be careful though, chlorine is sensitive to high temperatures. It is much less effective above 28C. It is therefore not the most appropriate treatment for hot tubs.
NB: Chlorine is often contraindicated for inflatable hot tubs. Check carefully what is indicated in your user manual.
Treating your hot tub with bromine
Bromine has the same disinfection qualities as chlorine. But its advantage over chlorine is that it is stable: insensitive to high temperatures, UV and pH variations.
In addition, bromine has less odour than chlorine and does not produce any by-products (unlike chlorine, which produces chloramines, responsible for “chlorine odours” and eye and skin irritation). Bromine is therefore very suitable for hot tub treatment. It should be noted that it is a little more expensive than chlorine.
NB: The bromine treatment can be completed with active oxygen which is a bromine activator. It regenerates the bromine consumed.
Chlorine-based products cannot be combined with bromine treatment (incompatibility). For a shock treatment (e. g. green water), hydrogen peroxide is used.
Treating your hot tub with active oxygen
Active oxygen is frequently used for hot tub treatment. It is a non-irritating and natural product.
The active oxygen must be supplemented by a persistent product to reinforce its disinfecting action (algaecide).
Chlorine-based products can be combined with this treatment if, for example, you want to do a shock treatment (compatibility). Active oxygen is compatible with all treatments.
NB: Active oxygen is sensitive to temperature variations and high temperatures. In the event of a significant increase in water temperature, the quantities must be increased. Active oxygen works very well in combination with other chemical molecules.
Treating your hot tub at the PHMB (Biguanide)
PHMB is an interesting treatment because it is soft and stable. It is very insensitive to temperature and pH variations.
PHMB, unlike chlorine, is not an algaecide. It is not a stand-alone treatment. Thus, PHMB is often used in addition to an anti-algae treatment. However, PHMB should not be combined with other substances. Chlorine or bromine-based products, as well as copper and bronze are not compatible with PHMB and should not be mixed.
You can use active oxygen or hydrogen peroxide for shock treatment.
If you have questions about the maintenance of your hot tub, or if you need an advice on a product or accessory, feel free to contact us now!