Why Is My Spa Water Cloudy? 6 Possible Explanations
Category : Maintenance
Maintaining clean and clear hot tub water is not as easy as adding a few chemicals.
First, some time must be invested in order to diagnose the underlying problem in order to execute the correct solution. If your spa or hot tub water is cloudy, milky or turbid, your problem is likely one of these situations below. Keep in mind that in some cases, the source or your water troubles could also be a combination of more than one of these possibilities.
1. High Calcium Hardness, pH, or Total Alkalinity
The first thing to check is the chemical balance of the water. In order to investigate this issue, take an accurate reading of your calcium hardness, alkalinity and pH levels. If your calcium hardness levels are greater than 300 ppm, you will not be able to remove calcium. Add a calcium sequestering agent.
Corrigez votre Alcalinité (TAC) pour le maintenir autour de 200mg/litres ou ppm. En dessous, de 150 ppm le TAC n’a plus d’effet stabilisateur sur le PH qui aura tendance à monter et rendre les produits de traitement inactifs.
Régulez le pH avec du pH minus ou plus pour le maintenir le plus porche possible de 7.2.
If your test for total alkalinity shows high levels above 250 ppm, excess carbonates can cause water cloudiness. High alkalinity levels make it difficult to control pH. Use a pH decreaser to lower alkalinity to around 200 ppm. If the pH level is outside of the range of 7.2-7.6, adjust accordingly for easier control of cloudy water.
2. Low Disinfectant Levels
In general, hot tubs should always have a level of 3-5 ppm for chlorine or 2-3 ppm for bromine. If the disinfectant level drops below 1.0 ppm, impurities brought in by bathers or the environment can take over and encourage the growth of organic contaminants at a faster rate than their destruction. .
Appropriate disinfection should destroy the particles that cause cloudy water. For an extra disinfectant boost, shock the spa water regularly.
Tip: Shock the water after several people have used the spa with chlorine powder (preferably unstabilized) or shock bromine.
3. Filter Issues
Sometimes a spa filter cartridge may be positioned incorrectly, allowing for water to bypass the filter cartridge. Make sure the cartridge is correctly sealed.
Spa filters should be replaced every 12-24 months or after about 15 cleanings. Replacing a filter may result in an immediate clarification of the water.
Once the filter has been cleaned and in order to increase its efficiency, the weekly addition of a clarifier to the spa water will increase the filtration fineness.
4. Malfunctioning Spa Pump
It may be beneficial to increase the amount of time that the spa pump operates, which in turn, increase your daily filtering time. Running a pump on low speed will also contribute to poor filtration.
If the spa has a circulation pump, it can operate between 12 and 24 hours per day. If the spa filters with speed 1 of a massage pump, it is recommended to filter 2x4 or 2x6 hours per day. As the flow rate of these pumps is high, the ratio flow / volume is sufficient.
Verify that the spa pump is not clogged with leaves, hair, or other organic matter. If the pump is even slightly blocked, the flow volume is reduced considerably.
Poor pump performance could also be due to an air lock.
5. Soap, Lotion, or Cosmetic Products
It is recommended to take a shower before using the spa, as cosmetics and beauty products may also be used. could be the source of cloudy water. Skin or hair products can introduce oils, phosphates, detergents and a hundred other undesirable chemicals into the spa water.
Tip: Beware of essential oils and scented products, it must be adapted to the SPA so as not to bring any greasy element in the spa.
6. Is it Time to Empty and Refill the Water?
Don't forget to renew the water every 3 months and every 6 months maximum by gravity drain (at the bottom of the spa), the volume of water in a hot tub being small compared to the bathers, it will gradually become loaded with particles that will saturate the water and prevent the correct reaction of the treatment product.
Failing to renew the spa water can lead to over consumption of product, cloudy water, and treatment issues.
Consider the possible cause of cloudy spa water carefully and be sure to contact the spa professionals in to receive some extra advice and a professional opinion.
