You must apply shock regularly with or without chlorine shock to keep your hot tub water safe and clean. Understanding what type of shock to use and how to add it will help you keep your hot tub clear. Just read the following content to learn something that you need to know for shocking a hot tub.
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What is Shock?
As you can tell from the heading title, what is shock? Hot tub shock is a heavy dose of oxidizer that shocks the water into a clean state. It does three main things:
First, a shock process can effectively remove harmful organic contaminants. In addition, things like shampoo, lotion, makeup, and even dead skin cells can buildup your hot tub from time to time. And this can cause hot tub scum or cloudy hot tub water. Shock will rid this residue that regular sanitizer cannot.
Second, shock kills germs. Hot tubs can become a haven for various bacteria, algae and microorganisms. Making the water balanced can help a lot to remove or eliminate these harmful things from the water.
Third, shock removes chloramines or bromamines. Have you ever felt the chlorine smell around those spa hot tubs? As chlorine does its jobs like eliminating germs and getting rid of organic materials, however, byproducts known as chloramines can also be generated during this course. The odor is from chloramines, not actually from chlorine. Hot tub shock gets rid of the chloramines and increases your sanitizer levels. When sanitizing bromine in your hot tub, it creates a derivative called bromine. Regularly shocking your water will help with this, too. It will maintain a regular amount of bromine.
What Type of Hot Tub Shock Should You Use?
Some kinds of shock kill all germs, and others only kill some. Some types are better for pools, while others work well for spas. Here are the ones we suggest for your hot tub:
1. Dichlor Shock
Dichlor is the active ingredient in most hot tub shock brands. It contains some cyanuric acid, so it’s more stable and will resist the heat in your hot tub very well. You do need to keep a close eye on your sanitizer level when you’re in shock. If you have an outdoor hot tub, it is best to shock at night or in the evening; this can protect your chlorine by not allowing the sun to break down the chlorine as fast as possible.
2. Non-chlorine Shock
Non-chlorine hot tub shock is never used as a disinfectant, which is incapable of eliminating the harmful bacteria, algae, microorganisms, etc. But it does an excellent job of oxidizing. Used weekly, it tends to help remove organic contaminants, such as lotions and skin cells and clears the water if it gets a little cloudy. It also activates free chlorine, the type of chlorine that does the killing of the bacteria job, and it does the same for bromine.
Which Spa Shock Should You Pick?
That depends on the sanitizer you use. If you use fluorine to clean your hot tub., always use chlorine shock. The chlorine levels for any of your spa hot tubs should range from 1 to 3(best level) parts per million(PPM).
By contrast, you can count on the non-chlorine shock to hold clarity among any regular chlorine shocks. If you so do, it will be great for you to test the water more frequently and closely monitor the chlorine levels, ensuring they remain above one part per million. However, chlorine spa shock is still strongly recommended for you to remove harmful bacteria and algae and keep the water clean if your hot tubs are quite frequently utilized.
If you have a bromine hot tub, use chlorine shock. Non-chlorine shock method can be used among the process of chlorine shock treatments, yet you had better use chlorine shock method directly once your spa hot tubs are utilized regularly.
If you use biguanide in your hot tub, use biguanide shock. As a matter of fact, those sanitizer manufacturers or suppliers that produce biguanide sanitizer commonly have a full production line that operate with biguanide, especially for the shock.
Whether a mineral sanitizer is applied in a spa hot tub, then a non-chlorine shock will be a neat idea. Perhaps you want to take the complete sanitizing effect without releasing too much chlorine into the water, in this circumstance, the chlorine level can not surpass 0.5 ppm with the none-chlorine shock solution.
There will be adequate chlorine released in the water once chlorine shock is utilized. Thus, a spa hot tub owner can apply chlorine shock in providing an effective solution to eliminate bacteria, algae and those harmful microorganisms.
As you use chlorine shock in your saltwater hot tub, going with a salt chlorine generator can help to convert the salt into chlorine to sanitizing your spa hot tub water, which makes the chlorine shock a more compatible choice. Nevertheless, if you worry about the release of too much chlorine into your hot tubs, then non-chlorine shock will become a much better option for you to choose. In addition, a compromising solution is utilizing chlorine shock going with a UV ionizer or an Ozonator sanitizing system. Dichlor works fine with them but always follows the manufacturer’s directions.
Shock A Hot Tub Step By Step
You will need the appropriate hot tub shock, a measuring cup resistant to chemicals, test strips, chemical-resistant gloves, and safety goggles.
- Step 1: Remove the cover from your hot tub and let it stay off during this process. When you shock it, some water has to evaporate.
- Step 2: Test the water. Do maintain the pH data ranging from 7.4 to 7.6 before you shock a hot tub. If the pH level is higher or lower than normal, the shocking process can not perform as your expectation. Adjust it if it’s not within the proper range, then continue shocking.
- Step 3: Turn off the blower. Leave the circulation pump on to circulate the shock through the hot tub, but turn the jets off so the water is not so aerated. Close the air jets and leave the water jets on.
- Step 4: It’s time to gear up with protective equipment. As gloves and goggles are must-haves, however, a pair of long pants matching a long-sleeved blouse are also needed during the shocking process. You closed your Haute shoes. Open a window or turn on an exhaust fan if your hot tub is indoors. Whatever the method, ensure ample ventilation within the room before opening and using any chemicals. If your hot tub is outdoors, do not use shock chemicals when it is incredibly windy, or stand with your back to the wind to avoid the substances blowing around.
- Step 5: Check the shock. Check how much shock you need for the water level in your hot tub, and if you need clarification, contact the manufacturer or do a quick Google search to see how many gallons your hot tub will hold.
- Step 6: Shock it. Add the shock to your hot tub, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Step 7: Leave the hot tub open. Do not cover the spa for at least 20 minutes, letting the shock wear off completely. If you aren’t getting into the hot tub immediately after shocking it, you can cover it after 20 minutes to reduce evaporation.
How Long Before You Can Use the Hot Tub Again?
Well, it depends on when the sanitizer level returns to the right amount. So test the water after shocking and look at the shock manufacturer’s instructions for any special tips. Remember, you’ll want to shock your hot tub at least once a week. Always check the water before you shock it to ensure that the pH is where it needs to be. Likewise, before getting back in the spa, be sure your sanitizer level is at the correct level. When in doubt, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before adding any shock to your hot tub.