Water hardness is a common problem for hot tub owners. Use this guide below to soften your hot tub water, making for a much safer and enjoyable experience.
How To Tell If Hot Tub Water Hardness Is Too High
Water hardness is not related to how your hot tub water feels. In fact, you won’t even notice any difference until adding surfactants into the mix or notice any calcium build-up overall. Water hardness is ultimately the level of calcium and magnesium in the water.
You can test water hardness by adding a few drops of detergent or liquid soap to a bucket of water, stirring it quickly. If the water turns cloudy, then the hardness is too high. Ideally, the amount of calcium in the hot tub water should be between 175 to 250 parts per million (ppm). Test strips can be used to determine the calcium levels.
Why Is Water Hardness Bad For Your Hot Tub?
High calcium content in hot tub water is scale build-up in the surfaces, filters, fittings, and plumbing. This can also mess with your water chemistry, causing skin and eye irritations to anyone using the tub.
Lime scales can also come loose, resulting in cloudy water. Simply put, water hardness makes for an unpleasant hot tub experience for all.
Ways To Soften Water In Hot Tub
Below are two proven methods to soften water in a hot tub if there is too much calcium present. One is a simple drain and refill, while the other method calls for some chemicals.
Method 1. Drain And Refill The Tub
- Some chemicals may ultimately increase the calcium levels in your tub.
- It’s possible to fix this issue by partially draining and diluting the water.
- Check the calcium levels with test strips and repeat this process, if needed.
- If the calcium levels are still high, try completely draining then refilling the tub.
- Flush the plumbing for a thorough clean.
Method 2. Use Flocculant
- It’s suggested to use this method whenever your tap is high in calcium content.
- Flocculant is used in water treatment facilities in order to remove any calcium particles in water.
- This works by causing the unwanted particles to clump together and settle at the bottom of the tub.
- It will be quite easy to scoop out at this point.
- You can also use a hot tub clarifier if a substitute is needed.
- Instead of sinking, calcium particles will float to the top of the tub.
- Use a skimmer net to remove the particles.
- This process can take a longer time than using flocculant.
Conclusion
Water hardness is a common issue for hot tubs, unfortunately. The good news is this can be solved using either of the two methods listed above. Remember to check your hot tub’s water chemistry every once in a while. Maintaining balanced water chemistry will keep your tub in good shape for the long run.
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