Murky green water is disgusting. Imagine that water running through your skin while you are taking a plunge in your hot tub? This slimy build-up is something you must deal with right away.
This means that there’s algae in your hot tub. Don’t fret when you see one. Stand up and do something about it in order to enjoy pool time once more.
Knowing its Causes
Before digging deeper into the task of getting rid of algae in the hot tub, let us get to know what actually causes them. Algae are no different from plants. They need sunlight in order to grow.
This just means that if the hot tub gets its daily exposure to sunlight, then it is most likely that algae will develop in it. Keeping the tub exposed to sunlight even after you have used it will definitely cause more trouble than you can imagine.
Alkalinity and pH levels may also be the root cause of the problem. Numbers should be within range at all times to keep the water chemically balanced and to prevent algae from preying over the tub.
Bad filtration and low sanitation are also culprits to algae formation. Make sure that you allow water to properly circulate in the tub, and that you change water regularly.
Types of Algae in the Tub
While there are thousands of algae species recorded by experts, those growing in spa water have only three different types. These are the black, mustard, and green algae.
The most common among them are the green algae. In any case your hot tub has any of these three species, you can treat it using the following methods.
Shock Treatment
Also known as super-sanitizing, shock treatment involves using pool supplies like non-chlorine shocks, as well as sanitizers such as bromine, and chlorine.
This will help get rid of contaminants that are in the water. You can do this by yourself, or you can seek expert assistance if you want.
Draining the Hot Tub
Completely drain the hot tub once every six to eight weeks. Once you have flushed the tub, start cleaning your filters and wiping down the interior shell.
This process may be tiring, but it will definitely save you on chemical costs in the future. Call an expert for hot tub maintenance if you deem necessary.
Use Algaecides
Algaecides come in different forms, but the non-foaming type is best at killing all types of algae and slime. There are also other types like the quat, polymer, and metallic algaecides. Just simply order one and follow instructions on how to use them.
Preventing Algae from the Hot Tub
How fast you deal with algae on your hot tub depends on how you prevent them from being there. A few tips to bear in mind is to make sure that filters are cleaned and replaced regularly. Alkalinity levels must be kept between 80 and 120 ppm, while pH levels must be between 7.4 and 7.6.
Check on the sanitizer levels that your water needs depending on whether you are using chlorine or bromine for the tub. Of course, do not forget to cover the hot tub when you are not using it.
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