If you want to keep your tub looking spick and span, it's essential that you shock your hot tub once a week. If you don't know how to shock your hot tub, then no worries! You're in the best place. Here's a guide on how to shock a hot tub, including a list of all the equipment and products you will need.
What is Hot Tub Shocking?
In its simplest form, hot tub shocking is the process of removing contaminants and bacteria from your hot tub water using a higher dose of hot tub oxidiser.
Bodily contaminants can include oils, dead skin, lotions and dirt, and these contaminants can then serve as nutrients for nasty bacteria like legionella, pseudomonas aeruginosa and fecal-borne pathogens. If your hot tub has cloudy water, unpleasant odours or algae growth, it's probably time to shock it!
Contaminants can be removed by hot tub shocking through adding an application of chlorine (sodium dichlor) or non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate or MPS). These chemicals can break down the contaminants and help restore water quality and clarity.
If chloramines (a harmful version of chlorine) are present in your hot tub water, the process of hot tub shocking will convert them back to active chlorine. Also, if you're using bromine sanitizer, the hot tub shocking process will activate the non-disinfecting bromide ion and turn it into a sanitizing hypobromous acid. Both of these shocking products are 100% compatible with the sanitizer systems that we offer at Premier Hot Tubs.
Overall, the benefits of hot tub shocking include better water quality and balanced pH levels - making your hot tub experience safer, more hygienic and more enjoyable!
What Chemicals Do I Need to Shock My Hot Tub?
Non-chlorine shock doesn't contain chlorine, and it doesn't disinfect the water by itself. Instead, it helps the chlorine work better by oxidising the water and creating 'free chlorine'. This is what is is needed to kill contaminants within your hot tub water.
You can use chlorine shock to shock your hot tub, but this will temporarily increase the chlorine levels to a point where it will be unsafe to swim in your hot tub for 8-12 hours. When you use a non-chlorine shock, you're not adding any more chlorine to the water, so you will be safe to get back into your hot tub after just 30 minutes!
When you use bromine tablets as a sanitiser alongside non-chlorine shock, the non-chlorine shock will activate the sanitizing effects of bromine, making it work more effectively against contaminants.
- Chemical-Resistant Measuring Cups
You will need these to accurately mix and add your solution to the hot tub. For dosage, scroll to the bottom of this blog!
Use hot tub test strips to test the pH levels of your hot tub before beginning the shocking process.
How Do I Shock My Hot Tub?
Here's how to shock your hot tub using non-chlorine shock:
- Maintain pH levels within the ideal range: 7.2 – 7.6. If the level is not in this range, adjust using a hot tub pH increaser or a hot tub pH reducer.
- Maintain free chlorine levels in the range: 3 - 5mg/l (ppm).
- Maintain bromine levels in the range: 3 – 5mg/l (ppm).
- Pre-dissolve this product in a clean plastic container at a maximum rate of 100g of product of 2.2 gallon (10 litres) in water. Stir well to ensure product is fully dissolved. Add the resulting solution to the pool or spa whilst the pump (s) are turned ‘on' preferably near the water inlets to aid distribution.
- Allow at least 30 minutes are shocking the tub before bathing recommences.
The Litres/Gallons/Dose Rate:
Still not sure? Check out our simple and easy to follow video guide on how to shock a hot tub:
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Here at Premier Hot Tubs, we understand that a hot tub is a big investment. We're proud to stock all the hot tub chemicals and accessories that you may need to care for your hot tub.
We truly care about our customers and the service they receive. We hope this article has answered your questions about how to shock a hot tub, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any further information or advice or check out our Hot Tub FAQs.
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