Spa Water Guide

Dirty or old spa filters. This is the most common cause of cloudy water.

Remove your spa filters, rinse using a water wand filter cartridge cleaner or low pressure hose.

Clean your filters with an approved filter cartridge cleaner solution which will remove scale, oils and microscopic organic material that rinsing alone cannot.

DO NOT use a filter cartridge cleaner on Purezone filters, it will ruin them. Purezone filters cannot be cleaned and should be replaced every 3-4 months depending on the bather load.

If your pleated filters are over a year old they might need to be replaced.  It is always best to keep two sets of filters and rotate them so that you can allow each set to dry out thoroughly between cleanings. This allows the micro-fibre pores to shrink back to their original size enabling the filter to perform better and last longer.

DO NOT use Nappy San. It is not designed for cleaning filter media and can reduce the life of your filter.

Organic contaminants from bathers (make-up, perspiration, body oil); from swimwear (soap or fabric conditioner); food; drink etc.

You need to use an approved oxidiser (spa shock) at least once a week or after a heavy use. Spa shock oxidises the organic matter that makes the water cloudy. Important: If you are using a chlorine free sanitising system you will need to shock the water with a Chlorine free shock (Poppits Quick Fix). Read the instructions on the conatianer.

Excessively low level of sanitizer.

Spa Santiser can be used up much more quickly than expected when contaminants are introduced into the spa or if there is an excessive build-up of boifilm in the pipework. Check and adjust you santizer level regularly until the problem subsides. Always use a spa pipe degreaser before emtying your spa water to remove build up within internal surfaces.

High Total Alkalinity, High pH or Total Hardness is out of Balance causing scale formation.

Your spa and Alkalinity should be within this scope (on your spa test strips) pH 7.2- 7.8 Alkalinity 80-120. If not, modify up or down using an approved PH reducer or Alkalinity increase until it is appropriate.

Build-up of unfilterable small particles, possibly caused by scale formation.

If you are using bore or rainfall water and have followed the recommendations above but your water is still a cloudy you may need to use a water clarifier or flock. Study the guidelines for dose rates. Essentially the water clarifier works by grabbing microscopic particles of organic matter and combining them into larger particles where they can quickly be captured in the filter media.

Important: If you use Purezone spa filters, follow the dosing instructions so that you do not prematurely plug your filter. Spa chemicals take time to work. Be patient.

Low quality, Cheap, high filler chemicals.

High level of desovled solids. This can be caused by the the use of low quality powdered sanitisers which have a high amount of calcium filler that cannot be filtered out. Make sure to only use high quality spa chemicals. This issue can only be remedied by dumping the water.

Buildup of body oils, cosmetics and detergents from bathers or the use if inappropriate cleaning products

Don’t use oils in your spa. Only use approved spa aromatherapy. Have a shower before entering the spa. Keep your water in balance. Keep your spa filters clean. If your spa water is over 4 months old, use a pipe degreaser ,dump the water, clean and soak your filters in an approved filter cleaner and then refill your spa with fresh water. If all these suggestions do not get rid of the foam, use Anti Foam. Follow the directions on the product label for best results.

Total Hardness is too low

When your spa water goes out of balance it can start to foam as well as cause damage to your spa or irritating rashes on bathers. Test often using test strips designed for your chemical system and make sure readings are within the appropriate range.

Large amounts of dissolved solids (contaminants) in the water.

High level of desovled solids. This can be caused by the the use of low quality powdered sanitisers which have a high amount of calcium filler that cannot be filtered out. Make sure to only use high quality spa chemicals. This issue can only be remedied by dumping the water.

High Mineral Content in Water

Consider using a pre-filter to reduce the mineral content as much as possible before it enters your tub.

High Total Alkalinity, pH or Total Hardness.

Probably all three! Test the water and adjust the water balance as necessary

Algae

Try using an algacide or a chlorine-based shock product to kill the algae. Then check, adjust and maintain a high santizer level.

High iron or manganese content in the source water. Common in bore or rain water situations.

Consider using a pre-filter to reduce the mineral content as much as possible before it enters your tub. If the problem continues then use a mineral remover to remove the minerals from the water.

Excessive organic contaminants introduced by bathers (make-up, perspiration, urine, body oil); from swimwear (soap or fabric conditioner); food; drink etc.

Use a shock to remove the non-filterable wastes. Thoroughly clean your filters. Check, adjust and maintain sanitizer level. Check age of water. If over four months old use a pipe degreaser, dump your water, clean your filters and add new water.

Chloramines - the chlorine smell!

Chloramines are a bi-product of chlorine reacting with bacteria.  The only way to remove them from the water is to drain and re-fill.  Consider changing to a chlorine free alternative.

Total alkalinity or pH out of balance.

Test the water using the correct spa test strips for your chemical system and adjust the water balance as necessary.

Excessive organic contaminants introduced by bathers (make-up, perspiration, urine, body oil); from swimwear (soap or fabric conditioner); food; drink etc.

Use a shock product to remove the non-filterable wastes.

Chloramines from chlorine-based sanitizer.

Chloramines are a bi-product of chlorine reacting with bacteria.  The only way to remove them from the water is to drain and re-fill.  Consider changing to a chlorine free alternative.

Oils, lotions and detergents from bathers and costumes or the use of incompatible cleaning products.

Always shower before entering your spa. Clean the waterline using a specialist hot tub surface cleaner. Use a shock product to remove as much of the contaminant as possible.  If the situation persists the only solution is to perform a complete water change.

The Total Alkalinity is too high.

Reduce the Total Alkalinity before you try to adjust the pH. Adjust the Total Alkalinity to within the recommended range for your sanitizer using a total Alkalinity Reducer.

Total Alkalinity too low

Increase the Total Alkalinity to within the recommended range for your sanitizer using a total alkalinity Increaser.