Cloudy water in your hot tub is most likely the result of a chemical or mineral imbalance. It’s possible you have too much organic matter in the water, improper PH levels, and improper chlorine levels or dirty water that needs replacing.
Dipping a test strip into the water can quickly reveal why your water is discoloured. Test for total alkalinity, calcium and pH.
High calcium hardness or total alkalinity
A combination of high pH together with high calcium or alkalinity will cause cloudiness. High calcium levels can prevent chemicals from properly breaking down in your hot tub. This can result in cloudy water.
Also, check the pH levels to see if any balancing is required to maintain the appropriate chemical levels in your hot tub. The solution is to bring your hot tub to a safe pH level between 7.2-7.8.
Accumulation of lotions, cosmetics and hair Products
Body products are a common culprit of hot tub contamination. If all users of the hot tub don’t shower prior to entering the tub, any oils and creams on your skin will enter your hot tub water and compromise its overall cleanliness.
Ensuring all hot tub users shower before entering the pool is a great way to cut down the number of chemicals entering your hot tub.
Cloudiness can also be caused by perspiration and body oils that have dissolved in the water. This is a natural result of people using the hot tub and can be corrected by shocking (adding a greater than normal amount of oxidizer) and ensuring the filter is clean.
If the water hasn’t been replaced in more than 3 months it may not be worth shocking the water. You will be better off by replacing the water with clean water.
Correct problems with your pump
Proper filtration is essential to maintaining clean, clear spa water. So, if your water is losing clarity, you may need to increase the run-time of your pump to increase the filtration of the water.
It’s also important to check for potential failures in the functionality of your pump. If the pump’s impeller is broken or clogged, which can be caused by leaves or hair getting trapped in it, the filtration and movement of your hot tub’s water will be greatly impeded if not stopped entirely.
Low levels of spa sanitizer
If your spa has low levels of sanitizer such as bromine and chlorine, this could allow for bacteria to accumulate faster than they are being neutralized by the sanitizer. Accurate sanitizer levels should destroy bacteria that can cause cloudy water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to go into a hot tub with cloudy water?
Avoid going into a hot tub with cloudy water because of the potential health risks that could be causing discoloration of the water. Incorrect pH levels, bacteria, erosion of metals and improper filtration can cause health concerns and may not be safe.
How long does it take for the cloudy water in your hot tub to clear?
The length of time to get your water crystal clear can take up to 24 hours if you’re adding oxidizer or cleaning your tub and replacing the water in order to let the chemicals circulate. Correcting pH levels can take as little as 15 minutes.
Can too much chlorine cause cloudy water in my hot tub?
Too much of any of the chemicals and minerals used can cause the water in your hot tub to become cloudy. Test for high levels of chlorine and pH using test strips. High levels of calcium will prevent these chemicals from breaking down.
How do I keep my spa water crystal clear?
- Use spa sanitizer.
- Test and maintain appropriate chemical balance.
- Have users shower before entry.
- Replace the water every 3-4 months.
- Maintain clean filters.
- Correct issues with your pump.
