June 21st, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Hot tubs have fast become a staple of summer in the UK over the recent years, and nothing is more relaxing than enjoying relaxing in the bubbly water and soaking in the warm summer weather or spending late-night evenings in the garden with good friends relaxing in the water. However, you may notice that sometimes your water begins to look a little dull, cloudy or miscoloured after a few uses. This can be incredibly frustrating because not only does it make the water look unappealing but completely emptying and re-filling hot tubs can be time-consuming and not to mention expensive. In this blog, we will discuss some of the main reasons why water may become murky and how it can be fixed.

Incorrect Water Levels

Perhaps one of the most difficult of hot tub management especially when you are first starting out is managing the amount of chemicals to use and the right kind of chemicals. This can impact water quality greatly and an imbalance of these chemicals can not only cause your water to become cloudy but it can also mean your hot tub is not able to work correctly which can also result in the water losing its fresh and clear appearance.

The most common products you will use in your hot tub in order to balance the water correctly are pH increasers or reducers, Alkalinity increasers and Chlorine. These are the three most important chemicals however not all of them may be necessary it will depend entirely on your water’s current levels, this is why it is important to regularly check water levels – this can be done with testing kits that are easily purchased online or from stores that carry hot tub and pool supplies. These testing kits will reveal the current pH, Alkaline and Chlorine levels of your water so you know what needs adding.

Incorrect levels can affect the appearance of your water but can also affect your hot tub’s performance and it can also impact your own body. For example, water without enough chlorine will not be as clean which will cause water to appear murky and unclean looking, whereas if the pH levels and Alkalinity levels are either too high or too low this can result in reducing the effectiveness of Chlorine even if their levels are correct which mean the water still will not be fully disinfected. Incorrect pH levels can also result in faster build-up of magnesium and calcium which can lead to limescale developing which can cause the important internal components of your hot tub to corrode or break down – it can also make skin feel dry and irritated too. So, as you can see these chemicals all work in balance with each other to help maintain your water if one of these is incorrect it will have a knock-on effect.  For reference, the ideal levels for each of these are:

pH Level: between 7.2 - 7.8

Alkalinity Level: 80-120mg/l ppm

Chlorine Level: 1 - 3 parts ppm

Poor filtration

The filters in our hot tubs are one of the most important components to ensure our hot tub stays clean, it is responsible for removing contaminants, dirt and debris from the water so that you are left with clear and clean water to relax in so if your hot tub has inadequate filtration or your filters are malfunctioning this will allow for all this dirt and debris to remain in the water which leads to a build-up in bacteria and result in the water looking murky and discoloured. This is why it is essential to ensure you are taking care of your filters by regularly checking and cleaning them.

If you do notice that your hot tub system appears to be failing to filter out debris from your water then it is highly likely to be caused by filters working incorrectly and your first priority should be checking them. In order to do this, you should follow your manufactures instruction to safely remove the filter, begin by rinsing them with water and using a soft brush to remove any debris that has built up over time and check for any damage. If you do notice there is any damage these should be replaced before you continue to use your hot tub.

If there is no damage then you can go ahead and deep clean your filter, this should be done using a suitable product – these usually come in two kinds of formula which will either require you to leave them to soak overnight or you can opt for instant filter cleaners that will only require soaking for around 15-20 minutes. Both will get the job done so it’s more a case of preference as to which one you choose. It is vital that you keep up with regular cleaning of your filter in order to keep them working at their best in order to do this it is recommended to clean out your filters at least twice a week.

1L Ultima Plus XP Instant Filter Cleaner Spray

Price: £15.95

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Organic debris

Another cause of water becoming cloudy is a build-up of organic debris such as leaves, pollen, oils from lotions or cosmetics, hair and many other kinds of organic matter that can enter the hot tub and contribute to cloudy water. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable but these contaminants if left untreated your water will quickly become a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, which will not only make the water cloudy but can also lead to skin irritation.

In order to remove this eventual build-up of dirt and debris it is important to give your system a full clean with a system flush – this is because even your filter and the presence of a disinfectant like chlorine are limited to what they can do other times. A system flush should be completed once every three months, this consists of adding a system flush into your water and allowing it to move from the system, this will break down dirt and other contamination from surfaces and internal pipes. This water will then need to be completely emptied before being refilled. While this may seem like a big job, if proper maintenance is kept up then the system flush should only be required every three months.

Likewise, sometimes this organic debris is so small that it cannot be successfully filtered out due to it being too small so even with regular cleaning of the filter and system flush then you may still notice some cloudiness in the water and this may be a result of the particles being too small for the filter to pick the particles up. This can be resolved by using a spa clarifier product, these products contain binding agents that will cause the smaller particles to join together making them large and therefore easier for the filter to pick up and help to keep your water clear.

5L Pro-Kleen Hot Tub & Whirlpool Complete System Flush

Price: £16.96

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Algae

Algae is a natural part of the water cycle. It can be green, brown or black and can grow anywhere there is warm water and light. This means that hot tubs and spas are a perfect place for algae to thrive and this can cause a cloudy and discoloured appearance, you may also notice that the water has a bad odour too. This can be treated by ensuring that your jets are in full working order and nothing is clogging them as poor air circulation can cause algae to form. It can also be treated with an algaecide shock treatment and then can be prevented from returning by continuing to treat your water with an algaecide.

Cleenly Pool Algae Remover 1L

Price: £11.99

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So, there you have some of the main causes that can result in your hot tub water becoming cloudy or discoloured. Some of these can be easily fixed and even easily prevented from happening in the first place. The important thing is to create a care routine and stick to it, that way by keeping up with regular maintenance will help to ensure that your water remains clear and clean and your hot tub function at full capacity!