After sanitizer, pH is one of the most important things to test in your water chemistry. All hot tub test strips will give you a visual pH reading. If you want a more accurate way to test your spa's pH level, you can invest in a liquid test kit. Parts per million (ppm) is how chlorine is measured in. On average, chlorine levels should be between 1.5 and 3.0 ppm. 2. pH Minus

Analyzed 3 types of research to help you make your hot tub a safe place for you and your family [ 1, 2, 5]; To maintain perfect pH levels in a hot tub, you'll need both an acid (increaser) and alkali (decreaser) on hand depending on which way your spa is out of range. That said, although my starter kit came with equal amounts of pH increaser and decreaser, I've actually not had to use any increaser at all! Besides chlorine sensitivity, there are other serious health concerns caused by chlorine. US Medicine National Institutes of Health researched to figure out whether there is a connection between chlorinated hot tubs/ swimming pools and pre-school asthma onset. A dose-response relationship was indicated, although with limited statistical power [ 1]. Keep chemicals out of the reach of children. There are many cases of chemical irritants inhalation. If a child swallows or inhales certain chemicals like chlorine, it can cause serious poisoning. Prevention is better than cure. Ensure that all chemicals are out of the reach of children.That covers everything you need for first-time spa setup. But there are a few more nice-to-haves which will make your life easier as you find yourself doing regular spa maintenance until the next refill. Jet & Line Flush

pH Decreaser. The pH level reflects how acidic or alkaline the water is. As evident from our research, hot tub owners are more likely to encounter too high pH levels (over 7.8) rather than too low (less than 7.2), so they will need a pH decreaser in a high volume bottle. Moreover, you will need a pH decreaser to balance high total Alkalinity (over 150 ppm). Filter Cleaner. We highly recommend using a filter cleaning product because it will get rid of any contaminants and bacteria in the filter and this will prolong the life of the filter. Filter rinsing with the cleaner will prevent germs from accumulating into your hot tub’s water. Unlike a must-have filter deep cleaner, this product is not as concentrated and can be used for monthly filter maintenance. Manufacturer starter kits have their pros and cons. Buyers claim that the following starter kits are easy to use and have everything required for a beginner, although there are people who said that they required more test strips and would have preferred a larger product size. A pH level that is too high will reduce sanitizer efficiency and cause cloudy water in the long run. This will result in scale formation on the hot tub’s surface and will require a filter replacement. A high pH level is a cause behind many skin and eye irritations; since it reduces the sanitizer’s efficiency. Remember, contaminated water that is full of bacteria can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea too.

Frequently asked questions about hot tub starter kits

Finally, use the foam remover to manage or prevent excess foam from the water. The test strips will help you balance the water levels and ensure the tub water is safe and hygienic. Using the pH minus is very easy. Once chlorine is added to the water, the pH level is tested through the test strips, and if the pH level is high, pH minus is applied to the water to balance the level. The main aspects of hot tub maintenance are associated with water balancing, sanitizing, and oxidizing. These complex terms mean simple things. Cover Cleaner. A cover cleaner is a long-lasting product that will be especially beneficial if you put your hot tub outdoors. The cover cleaner will eliminate dirt from the surface of the cover and will protect the hot tub cover from damaging UV rays. pH Increaser. This product should be added when the pH level is less than 7.2. A pH level that is too low is dangerous for your health and hot tub’s condition. A low pH level makes the skin dry and causes eye irritation. Both high and low pH levels do not allow a sanitizer to work at its full potential and lead to germs accumulation. As for the hot tub’s condition, a low pH level can result in corroded metal parts (e.g. pump, heater).

This chemical helps prevent the buildup of scale and calcium on surfaces by neutralizing the metals and other trace minerals in your water. This is especially good to use if you've got hard water, as it can help prevent any nasty calcium deposits around your jet nozzles. Test strips usually take about 2 seconds and give a visual reading on the strip itself—just dip it in the water and wait to see the a color change! Then compare it against the chart on the outside of the bottle. Metal Reducer In this article I'll show you exactly what chemicals to buy for your new hot tub (and exactly how to add chemicals to your hot tub for the first time) so that you don't end up wasting money on unnecessary products which you may never use. Chlorine is the most significant element of a spa chemical starter kit. It is usually used in households as bleach. Along with Bromine, consider it as the most effective sanitiser for your hot tub. Apply Chlorine to your hot tub to kill bacteria and keep the water safe and clean. Hot Tub Shell Cleaner. A hot tub’s shell can contain a lot of dirt, especially in hard to reach places such as the footwell. Therefore, it is better to use a specifically designed product to get rid of contaminants and have peace of mind that the refilled water will run into a clean tub shell. Do not forget to rinse the shell with water before refilling it to prevent water foaming.

pH Plus is another component of the Lay-Z-spa chemical starter kit. If your hot tub’s pH level is low, it means your hot tub is getting acidic. Some wonder if they are putting the right amount of chemicals in the water or not. It depends on the hot tub’s size. Also, 5 to 8 parts per million are what you should aim for. Just want to know what you should buy? Jump to the product list. What is a hot tub chemical starter kit and why do I need one? So, disinfect your hot tub with chlorine first and then control the pH level with pH minus or pH plus and test the pH levels with a test strip. Chlorine tabs contain Trichlor which is acidic. This means your pH and alkalinity will reduce when using these tablets, so you'll need to adjust the chemicals in your spa more often to keep it balanced.