Alright, you got your brand-new hot tub and cannot wait to use it. But wait! You need to add chlorine before using it. So, how much chlorine to add to hot tub first time?
If you use chlorine granules, adding about 1 teaspoon per 100 gallons of water is a good place to start. If you need more, you can add it. But it will depend on the size and shape of your tub.
You also need to wait before you add the chlorine. In addition, there are some simple maintenance things you need to know and some nuances of adding chlorine.
How Much Chlorine Should You Add to Your Pool?
How much chlorine you add to your hot tub for the first time depends on its size and shape. The rule is to add 1 teaspoon of chlorine granules for every 100 gallons of water.
Add just 1 ounce of chlorine to 100 gallons of water in your hot tub if you are not sure at all how much to add. Then see how that works for your tub.
Chlorine levels in a tub or pool water are measured in PPM. PPM stands for parts in a million, and it helps you get the right amount of chlorine regardless of your hot tub size.
Moreover, if you are treating your hot tub with chlorine continuously, aim to keep the PPM levels between 2 and 4.
When treating your hot tub with chlorine, you can add either chlorine granules or tablets. So, you have some flexibility there. Sometimes it might be difficult to know how much chlorine is right for your tub.
In that case, start slow. Add about an ounce of chlorine to your hot tub for 250 gallons of water. If you notice that bacteria still grow in your hot tub, then you can add more chlorine to it.
What Does Adding Chlorine to Pool Do?
Hot tubs can become gross if you do not maintain them. This is why people add chlorine to their tubs for sanitary reasons. It is a very safe way of killing any pathogens.
If you do not treat your hot tub with chlorine (or any other kind of sanitizer), it might form harmful bacteria and pathogens. These can cause illnesses too.
Even commercial spas use chlorine to clean the water in their tubs. Hot tubs can have all kinds of things in them. They might have debris, dead skin, oils, dirt, hair products, and lotion.
Since chlorine is safe to use and works well with your hot tub’s filtration system, it is a popular way to sanitize tubs. Chlorine also helps keep your water chemistry optimal. If the water chemistry in your tub is off, it could lead to irritation and hygiene-related problems.
At its heart, chlorine is a simple chemical. It is made from hydrogen, table salt, and sodium hydroxide. Although the composition of chlorine is pretty simple, its effectiveness is impressive.
What Type of Chlorine is Safe to Add to Your Pool?
There are many different types of chlorine products you can use to sanitize your tub. The good thing about this is that you will always have alternatives if you cannot find a specific kind where you live.
Chlorine Granules
Chlorine granules are pretty easy to use. You can add directly to your hot tub. And they also dissolve quickly too
Chlorine Tablets
Then there are chlorine tablets. Unlike chlorine granules, these tablets dissolve slowly. So it takes a bit of time. To add chlorine tablets, you can use a chlorinator.
Salt Chlorine
You can use salt chlorine to convert salt cells to chlorine. You need higher PPMs for it to be effective. Between 2500 to 3500 PPM is recommended.
Calcium Hypochlorite
This is a form of chlorine granules. Calcium Hypochlorite dissolves fast, and you can use about 1 to 3 tablespoons for 500 gallons of water.
Liquid Chlorine
Using liquid chlorine is probably the easiest. You can add it directly to your hot tub. In addition, some stores will have pre-measured liquid chlorine. So it is easy to pick up the right amounts you need.
Sodium Hypochlorite
If you have a large hot tub, you can use Sodium Hypochlorite. These are an effective way of sanitizing large pools too. Use 1 to 3 ounces of Sodium Hypochlorite per 500 gallons of water.
Why Does a New Hot Tub Usually Need More Chlorine?
Chlorine is very safe to use for sanitizing hot tubs. But you need to use it in the right amount. Excess chlorine in hot tubs (or pools) is bad. However, when you get a brand-new hot tub, you must add more chlorine than usual.
Adding excess chlorine for the first time allows the chlorine-treated water to circulate through the hot tub’s filtration. Your tub could have been introduced to different sorts of bacteria during transport.
Think of it as priming. Since you are adding chlorine for the very first, you want to get rid of any kind of build-up or bacteria that might already be on there. So, it helps ensure that you start with a clean slate and kill any bacteria when setting up your hot tub for the first time.
You need about 1.5 times your pool’s recommended amount of chlorine initially. After the initial chlorine shock, add the usual amounts mentioned earlier.
Is Adding Excess Chlorine to Hot Tub Bad?
Although adding chlorine is necessary for sanitizing your hot tub. But do not get carried away with it. Adding too much can cause problems like irritation. Excess chlorine levels can even damage some of your hot tub’s components.
Excess Chlorine Causes Irritation
Chlorine in excess amounts can be quite annoying. If your hot tub has high chlorine levels, it could cause skin and eye irritation. As a result, you will not be able to enjoy your hot tub. In some cases, you could see severe reactions. Your skin might also turn red and itch a lot.
Excess chlorine Throws off pH Levels.
Your hot tubs also need to maintain their optimal pH levels. Otherwise, the water could become acidic. On the other hand, you do not want your water’s pH levels to be too high either.
Excess chlorine makes maintaining the right pH levels in your hot tub difficult. This could lead to the water becoming cloudy. The water can even stain your hot tub.
Excess Chlorine Damages Your Hot Tub
Another problem with having too much chlorine in your hot tub is that it may damage components. Chlorine is known to be a powerful oxidizing agent. Therefore, excess amounts of it can corrode metallic parts in your tub. Moreover, it could also damage plastic components, gaskets, and seals.
Excess Chlorine Can Lead to Strong Smells
Having to deal with strong chemical smells when using a hot tub is unpleasant. If your chlorine levels are too high, you will smell chemicals. And that is never a pleasant experience.
How to Tell You Have Too Much Chlorine in Your Hot Tub?
If you face any of the abovementioned problems, your tub’s chlorine levels are probably too high. The easiest way to tell whether or not the chlorine levels are too high is to use a test strip.
Another way to test excess chlorine levels is by using a DPD testing kit. These kits will tell you exactly how much chlorine is in your hot tub.
Moreover, you can also see whether you feel any skin irritation. This is a good way of telling without using any testing kits. Moreover, your hair will feel brittle, and you might feel a slight stinging sensation in your eyes. Using a testing strip is the best way to know for sure, though.
How Long Should You Wait After Adding Chlorine to Your Hot Tub?
After adding chlorine, wait at least 30 minutes before you use your hot tub again. Remember, this is the minimum. Moreover, keep your hot tub’s cover off.
Leaving the cover off will allow the chemical smell and vapors to escape. If you want to be sure before jumping into your hot tub, you can always use a chlorine test strip.
What Even is Shocking a Hot Tub and Why You Should Do It
When you first get a hot tub, you must ‘shock’ it. No, shocking your hot tub has nothing to do with electricity. Shocking your hot tub means adding more chlorine than usual to kill bacteria.
Sometimes, your hot tub’s filter can get overwhelmed. When it is clogged, it will not remove dirt effectively, and this will cause bacteria build-up. Shocking your hot tub will neutralize harmful bacteria. Then you can simply dump the water down the drain.
You do not have to use chlorine sanitizers to shock your tub. There are non-chlorine sanitizers available too. Non-chlorine sanitizers use bromine. In comparison, bleach is commonly used for chlorine sanitizers.
How to Shock Hot Tub Before Using it for the First Time
The shocking process for hot tubs is pretty simple. However, since you are handling chemicals, you need to be careful. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Remove your hot tub’s cover.
Step 2: Test your tub’s water. Ensure the pH levels are optimal. pH of around 7.5 is the best.
Step 3: Turn the pump on and turn your tub’s jet off.
Step 4: Measure your shocking agent and add it to your hot tub. Make sure you read the instructions.
Step 5: Leave your hot tub to rest for at least half an hour.
We recommend you shock your hot tub at least once per week. But if you use your hot tub regularly, you might want to shock it more frequently. Also test your water before and after shocking it.
Shocking Hot Tub Before End-of-Season Storage: Is it Important?
If you will not use your hot tub for a while, for example, when it is end-of-season, you do not need to shock it. It is unnecessary. However, remember to shock it when you use it again.
In addition, drain the water at the end of the season. Also, clean and sanitize your tub before storing it. You certainly do not want to have any moisture on it after you have sanitized it.
Hot Tub Maintenance Tips
In addition to adding chlorine, there are general things you should do to maintain your hot tub. Proper maintenance will keep it sanitized, and will also keep the components running longer. Thankfully, these maintenance tips are not too difficult:
- Clean your filters
- Use the right cover for your tub
- Remember to check pH levels
- Change the water frequently
- Circulate water each day
- Use the right chemicals and cleaning products
FAQs
Do I need to add chlorine to my hot tub daily?
You do not need to add chlorine daily to your hot tub. You are fine as long as your chlorine levels are in the correct PPM levels. So, check the water. It will tell when you need to add chlorine.
What if I don’t add chlorine to my hot tub?
You must religiously maintain your hot tub if you do not want to add chlorine. You will need to keep the water fresh always. It just takes a lot of time. Otherwise, you will see bacteria growth.
Should I add chlorine to my hot tub after every use?
Different individuals can introduce different oils and bacteria into your tub. Therefore, you may add chlorine after every use if different people use the hot tub. But remember to wait before using your tub after adding chlorine.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how much chlorine to add to hot tub first time, you can take better care of your brand-new hot tub. Remember to check the water before using it. Moreover, you should also keep your pH balanced, or it will inactivate the chlorine.
