Cloudy Hot Tub Water

There’s no worse feeling than drawing back the cover on your hot tub on a lovely summer day to find the water has become murky with white a white haze clouding the entire body of water.

In the same way we wouldn’t want to drink cloudy water, we probably don’t want to soak ourselves in it either. In fact, cloudy hot tub water is a common problem; one that is sure to ruin your plans of unwinding in your hot tub and spending some time on cloud nine. So, what causes cloudy hot tub water and what can be done about it?

Cloudy Hot Tub Water – The Causes

The vast majority of cloudy hot tub water cases we uncover can be attributed to the two issues highlighted below;

Poor Filtration

The first is poor filtration. The cloudiness of the water is often due to particulate matter such as organic debris, dead algae and other insoluble suspended particles that your filter should be removed, but isn’t. In the same way that our kidney filters blood, hot tub filters play the crucial role of taking the unwanted particles out of the water stream to keep a cycle of clean water running through the spa.

Chemistry Imbalance

Another key contributing factor to cloudy water is an imbalance in the water chemistry. For example, the water may have a high concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS). Once TDS levels reach the saturation point, they begin to become insoluble and fall out of solution, making the water cloudy. Imbalances in sanitiser levels, a high pH, or high levels of hair or skin products in the water may also contribute to poor water chemistry and result in cloudy water.

Cloudy Hot Tub Water – The Remedies

Clean or Replace Filters

Poor filtration can be remedied by cleaning or changing the filter. This really is the first port of call. If your filter is not performing at its optimum, then it is quite possible that the suspect particulate matter is not being removed. Also, any other remedial action may be rendered useless if your filter isn’t working properly. Regular checking and rinsing of the filter is highly recommended.

PH Chemical Balancing

As for poor water chemistry, some simple tests may clarify exactly what is causing the cloudy water, and that will form the basis for the plan of attack. If pH and sanitiser levels are not in check, then adjust them as need be. If they are in check and the cloudy water persists, then a water clarifier, or flocculent, may be added.

A flocculant is a substance that causes smaller particles to group together into larger ones, making them easier to filter out. A non-chlorine shock may also be added, perhaps even working in tandem with the clarifier. An absolute last resort would be to replace the water altogether, however, this may not get to the bottom of the actual cause, and the cloudy water quandary may strike again once freshwater has been added.

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