There is nothing nicer then coming home after a long day, and enjoying a wonderful dip in your beautiful hot tub. However it’s not such a treat when your water is cloudy or murky. This nevertheless is a problem you are likely to face during the life of your hot tub, but with some simple tweaks and solutions you can get your oasis back to its former glory.
Total Dissolved Solids
Total dissolved solids is in reference to the amount of solids dissolved in the water. When the water has become fully saturated with chemicals, it can not dissolve any more, and this can lead to foamy cloudy water. The solution for TDS is to completely drain the hot tub and start with fresh water. With average use it is recommended that you drain the tub every 3 to 4 months to avoid having to high of TDS in the water.
Water Hardness or Total Alkalinity
Your hot tub chemical balance is very important, and if your calcium hardness, alkalinity or pH levels are off it can be the cause of cloudy milky water. If your calcium hardness is high, it can be very difficult to lower using chemicals, and as such it is recommended to drain your hot tub and fill it with fresh water, ideally using a pre-filter to help reduce the initial calcium levels in the water. This will help to keep the water clear, and prevent calcium scaling that causes milky water. If your Total Alkalinity shows as high, extra carbonates can be released from the solution and make the hot tub appear cloudy. When your alkalinity levels are not within an ideal range it can make controlling pH levels very difficult. Use a pH decreaser to lower the Total Alkalinity to correct the balance. Alternatively, if your pH is too high, use a pH increaser to balance the water. When balancing your hot tub chemicals, remember that it can take a couple of hours for the chemical changes to spread throughout the water and show up on your test strips.
Low Sanitizer Levels
A proper sanitizer level is tremendously important in destroying particles that create cloudy water. Though chlorine and bromine are the main chemicals used in hot tubs to keep the water safe and clean, there are other products you can add that will assist with the maintenance of your spa. Using an ozonator, or a mineral cartridge can help to keep your water chemistry balanced and at optimal levels.
To help to keep organic particles from running rampant in your beautiful hot tub a regular shock treatment is recommended, especially if there has been higher then normal use.
Pump Problems
There are several pump problems that can induce milky water: pump running time, problems with the impeller or an air lock. It is recommended that your pump be running for a minimum of 2 hours every day and that you run the pump at the manufactures recommended speed to keep the water flowing properly. Your impeller can also be causing your water problems. If the impeller is clogged with leaves, sticks or other organic matter the impeller vanes can become blocked and can curtail the flow of water through the pump. Another possibility is that the impeller itself is broken. If that occurs the pump will turn on, but the impeller will not move and cut your water flow to zero. An airlock is the third most common pump issue. An air lock occurs when the pump loses its prime and begins to take in air which gets caught inside the pump. When this happens it impedes the flow of water, allowing the water to become stagnant and become murky. To correct this problem loosen the union on the pump and allow the air to release, retightening the union when water begins to escape. Low water levels can also cause air lock in the pump, so ensuring water levels stay constant is important for the health of your pump.
Care Products, and Cosmetics
All the products we put on our bodies and the soaps we use on our bathing suits end up in the hot tub and can cause water issues. These chemicals can gunk up filters, break down sanitizers and make your normally clear water milky and cloudy. To help prevent these partials from entering your spa, a quick rinse off shower before entering can help.
Filter Problems
A filter issue is one of the most common causes for cloudy water. Whether the filter cartridge is not correctly placed in the filter, allowing the water to miss the filter cartridge all together, or the cartridge needs to be cleaned both can be responsible for milky water. Rinsing your filter cartridge once a week and replacing the filter cartridge every 12-24 months will help to keep your water crystal clear. Filter cartridges can also become clogged with minerals and oils significantly reducing the effectiveness of the cartridge. To remove these substances you may need more than your garden hose alone. Allowing your filter cartridge to soak in spa filter cleaner before cleaning will break down the deposits and give your filter a second life.
Cloudy, milky, murky water though unpleasant is not uncommon and can usually corrected by regular maintenance on your spa. Making sure the water is flowing, being filtered and the chemicals are balanced is a good start to preventing cloudy water, and allowing you to sit back and enjoy your spa.