To ensure flawless bathing, weekly testing of the water in the hot tub is recommended. This will ensure that there is a correct ratio of chemicals in the water and even extend the life of the massage pool. Read on to find out everything about the maintenance and testing of the water in the hot tub.
Water testing methods:
Test strips
Test strips are the most common and most affordable method of testing home hot tubs. They can be used to measure pH values, free chlorine, bromine, water alkalinity, total hardness and cyanuric acid.
Use the test strip by submerging it and holding it for a few seconds about 15 cm below the surface of the water. Wait as long as it says on the instructions and compare the color on the strip with the closest color on the packaging color chart. If the values are outside the recommended values, you can adjust the values using chemical agents.
Maintenance and testing of the water in the hot tub: procedure
We maintain the pool water regularly, at least once a week. Make sure the massage pump is running before adding chemicals.
Never pour the chemical directly into the pool water. The chemicals are highly concentrated and can damage pool parts and equipment such as the heater and filter.
Prepare a mixture or solution in a ratio of at least 1:10. Add the solution to the pool gradually, and pour it into the skimmer or in front of the skimmer.
Let the massage pump run for at least another 10 minutes.
Ideal chemical parameters and maintenance
Disinfection
The main agents for water disinfection are free chlorine and bromine. The chlorine value should be between 3 and 5 ppm (parts per million), and bromine particles between 4 and 6 ppm.
The purpose of adding disinfectants to pool water is to keep the water clean and to get rid of or prevent the formation of batteries and viruses in the water. When the massage pool is not used for a long time, it is mandatory to carry out a chlorine shock, which sterilizes your water.
For manual dosing of the disinfectant, use chlorine granulate because it is a water disinfectant based on sodium dichloroisocyanurate with a content of 56% active chlorine. It is extremely effective, as it is not affected by the hardness of the water, reacts neutrally to the pH of the water and is resistant to the influence of UV rays.
Important:
If the disinfectant concentration is too high, it can cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Before using the pool, check the concentration of disinfectants in the water. After adding a chlorine or oxygen based disinfectant, the pool should be turned off for 20 minutes to allow the concentrated chemical vapors to evaporate. If you leave the pool cover closed, steam can damage it and such damage is not covered by the warranty.
Harmful side effects of chlorination:
CHLORAMINE: The smell of the pool is not from chlorine, but from chloramine. Chloramines are the result of a combination of chlorine-based disinfectants and the user’s sweat, fat and urine.
TRIHALOMETHANES: Trihalomethanes (THM) are the most common side effects of chlorination, which occur when organic and inorganic matter in the water react with the agents.
To reduce the content of these substances, it is recommended to take a shower before using the pool. The pool can be equipped with an ozonator or UV sterilizer. Maintain the water in the pool regularly, and replace the filters every 4 months.
Alkalinity of water
Before checking the pH levels in the pool water, it is important to balance the alkalinity, as it acts as a buffer – it regulates the acidity or alkalinity of the solutions and gives you better control over the pH level in the hot tub. Alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 ppm. Anything above or below this value will make it difficult to adjust the pH level. After adjusting the alkalinity, check the values again.
Total water hardness
Total hardness measures the content of dissolved minerals, most commonly calcium and magnesium. The ideal hardness value is 100 – 250 ppm. If the water is too hard, the water will become cloudy and scale will build up on the heaters, filters and other parts. Water hardness that is too low will force the water to leach minerals such as aluminum, copper and iron from parts of your hot tub, which can damage parts of the pool.
pH value of water
If you use chlorine to disinfect water, the ideal pH value of the water is between 7.2 and 7.6, and for bromine users, the value should be between 7.0 and 7.4. Acidic water below pH 2 is harmful to the eyes, skin and respiratory system and is corrosive, which can damage equipment. Alkaline or alkaline water above 8 pH also harms us and the pool equipment, causes water turbidity and causes sedimentation and formation of limescale.
Regularly checking the pH value is important because:
- Are disinfectant chemicals more effective and longer lasting
- The water is pleasant and safe to use
- Prevent water corrosiveness and build-up of deposits
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