Shock treatments can be considered support for your sanitizer and are applied based on how often your hot tub is used. Shock Treatments typically come in two forms. Dichlor – A form of chlorine used as both a sanitizer and a shock, typically used only when you refill your hot tub.
1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
Bromine is another popular hot tub sanitizer. It is known for being gentler on the skin and eyes than chlorine, with less odor. Bromine is also effective in a wide range of pH levels and temperatures. However, it is not as effective as chlorine in killing certain types of bacteria and can be more expensive.
Chlorine sanitizers are widely used in spas. They're fast-acting, they work in all types of water, even hard water and they dissolve quickly with no residue. There are 2 types of stabilized chlorine: Dichlorine (NaDCC) and Trichlor (TCCA)
Dilute: If the sanitizer level is still too high, turn off the jets and drain your hot tub about halfway. * Then, add fresh water to dilute the remaining sanitizer. After refilling with fresh water, run the jets on high for 30 minutes and then test the water balance and sanitizer level again as noted on the test strip.
Spa shocks work much like sanitizers and are used to kill any bacteria, algae, or bad odors your daily sanitizer may miss. Shock treatments can be considered support for your sanitizer and are applied based on how often your hot tub is used.
It Can Clog the Pipes and Filters. A lot of shock treatments for spas and pools contain a high chlorine concentration, but several different chemicals can be added to balance it out.
Sanitizer and chlorine are not the same in a hot tub. While sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses to ensure water safety, chlorine specifically acts to oxidize and disinfect. Both play crucial roles in maintaining clean hot tub water, but they work in slightly different ways to keep the water safe and enjoyable.
How is it measured? Sanitizer concentration is measured in parts-per-million (ppm) using a test strip. If you are using the six-in-one test strip, three of the test sections relate to sanitizer level. These sections are: total bromine, total chlorine and free chlorine.
Bromine. Bromine is an alternative sanitizer to chlorine, and it is sometimes chosen for hot tubs because it is stable at higher temperatures and in sunlight. Working similarly to chlorine, bromine can kill bacteria and other contaminants. However, there are distinct differences between bromine and chlorine.
You should aim to shock your hot tub regularly, at least once per week.
If you suffer from inflammation, are susceptible to skin irritation, or would just like to avoid the use of traditional chemicals chlorine or bromine, a salt water hot tub is the healthiest alternative for you.
Non-chlorine shock doesn't contain chlorine itself, and does not disinfect the water. Non-chlorine shock helps the chlorine already in your hot tub work better by oxidising the water and creating “free chlorine” – which is what is needed to kill bacteria.
The most common chemical sanitisers are chlorine-based products, such as hypochlorite (also known as bleach), and quaternary ammonium products. Other chemicals may be effective if correctly prepared and used. If bleach is used as a chemical sanitiser only plain unscented bleach should be used.
Ideally, you should shock your pool at night, so the sun cannot interfere and destroy the active chemicals before they can do their job. Then, you can add your chlorine post-shock after the chlorine levels have fallen below 5 ppm.
Sanitizing your tub will keep it clean, clear, and bacteria free. Not only do sanitizers disinfect your spa, but they also fight against odors.
One of the first things you can do is dilute the chlorine level in your hot tub water by topping it up with clean water. Give the water time to properly circulate, then take note of the chlorine level. If you don't notice any decrease in the sanitizer levels, add more fresh water.
Identifying Signs of Bacterial Contamination
The odour is often described as “musty” or “sour.” Cloudy or Discolored Water: Bacteria can cause the water in your hot tub to turn cloudy, murky, or even greenish in colour.
SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
Should I use bromine tablets or granules? If you're looking to quickly and easily sanitise your hot tub water, bromine granules are a great option. Granules dissolve quickly, making them perfect for shock-dosing your hot tub when you first set it up or if it hasn't been used in a while.
Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form.
Potassium Monopersulfate
When used at full strength, many hot tub and spa owners refer to MPS as the Non-Chlorine or Non-Bromine “Shock Treatment Alternative” because of its effectiveness to destroy and remove contaminants and bacteria.
Shocking Your Hot Tub
Make sure that your pH levels of your hot tub water are between 7.4 and 7.6. [To know what pH levels are, check our Ideal Water Balance Care Guide] Leave the circulation pump on and running, but turn off the air in the jets. You want to make sure the water is still moving in some capacity.
No, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is used to raise alkalinity, not lower chlorine. Why is my pool using so much chlorine? Several factors could be at play, including heavy pool usage, hot weather, rain, or a low stabilizer level. It's best to consult a pool professional to diagnose the root cause.