Owning a hot tub is a great way to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. But if you’re buying a new hot tub, you might have some questions about keeping your hot tub water healthy, balanced and looking great. Below, we’ll go over the basics of hot tub water care so that you can enjoy your spa experience worry-free.
The Amount of Water You Need to Fill Your Hot Tub
This is one of the most common questions that first-time hot tub owners ask. There’s actually no definitive answer because it would really depend on a number of factors such as the size, shape, make, and model of your unit. But just so you have an idea, a four-person hot tub can typically hold more than 300 gallons of water. To know the exact amount of water needed for the hot tub you’ve got your eye on, there’s a simple equation you can use. The equation divides the deepest and shallowest parts of the hot tub, then finds its average point to determine the total depth. First, you should list down your hot tub’s width, length, and depth. If you’re trying to compute for a round model, the width and length measurements will be the same. Now that you have the values, you can input the numbers into the following quotation: W x L x D x 7.5. Note that 7.5 refers to how many gallons are in one cubic foot. The amount you get would reveal how much water you need to fill up a particular hot tub.
The Simplest Way to Fill a Hot Tub With Water
While there are ways to get your hot tub filled with water without having to do it all yourself, the most basic method would still be using a garden hose. If you’re going for this option, make sure you have a clean water source. Ideally, you should also opt for a new hose as well. This is because hoses that have been used before might already have dirt, grime, or other contaminants that could potentially affect your hot tub.
To fill your hot tub using a garden hose:
- Locate the fill spout on your hot tub. This is usually located on one side of the unit near the bottom.
- Connect one end of your garden hose to the fill spout.
- Make sure that the other end of the hose is placed in an area where water can freely flow out, such as a sink or an outdoor faucet.
- Once everything is in place, open up the valve on the fill spout to start filling up your hot tub with water.
- Keep an eye on the water level and stop once it reaches the safe level as indicated on your spa.
- Close the valve on the fill spout and disconnect your garden hose.
How to Keep The Water at a Balanced State
Now that you know how to fill your hot tub with water, it’s time to learn about keeping the pH levels balanced. This is important because if the pH level in your hot tub is too high or low, it could cause skin irritation, eye problems, and other physical signs. If you have any questions about the specifics of balancing your hot tub levels, you can contact a spa dealer near you. The ideal pH range for hot tubs is 7.2 to 7.8. To test the pH levels of your water, you can use testing kits or strips to find out if your hot tub meets the recommended pH balance. If the water becomes too acidic, below 7.2, it can cause skin irritation and redness. The water can also become corrosive and damage the hot tub itself. On the other hand, if the pH level in your hot tub becomes too alkaline or basic, which is above 7.8, the water can become cloudy or murky because of scale build-up.
The best way to adjust the pH level of your hot tub is by using pH increasers or decreasers. Moreover, it’s perfectly normal for the water levels to be off sometimes. This is because the pH levels in your hot tub can be affected by a number of things, such as the type of water you’re using, the chemicals you add, and even the people who use it. With that said, it’s important to test the pH levels of your hot tub water at least once a week to ensure that it’s still within the ideal range. This way, you can make the necessary adjustments to keep your hot tub water clean and safe for everyone to use.
To learn more about the basics of hot tub ownership, you can download our buyer’s guide for free.