Answer: Over the next few weeks the SpaChem team will be discussing and supporting hot tub owners with troubleshooting guides with what to do when you lift off the cover and find that the water is far from crystal clear. It doesn’t matter which make, model or size of hot tub you own; the general rule of water management is the same for all.

Starting with one of the more common colors; green.

What’s causing it?

Green hot tub water is commonly caused by a simple, non-flowering aquatic plant. Ok, that’s just a nicer way of saying that its highly probable that you have algae in your water after all, algae love to grow under the cover of your hot tub in the dark yet warm water environment.

One of the simplest methods to test if it is algae causing this problem, is to touch the inside of your hot tub walls, if it feels slightly slimy to the touch, then the chances are its algae. The likelihood is that this has happened due to either insufficient sanitizer levels (Chlorine or Bromine) in your hot tub or your filter is not performing at its best.

How to solve it.

Test the pH and alkalinity of your hot tub water and try a Hot Tub Shock / Non-Chlorine Oxy Shock. After filtering out the dead algae we would recommend that you look to clean your filter to remove any loitering algae. For more information on the products available and how to conduct a shock treatment, visit https://spachem.co.uk/hot-tub-shock

If the above has not rectified the problem and 24 hours later, your water is far from crystal clear, then it’s time to drain your water, thoroughly wipe all of the internal surfaces of your hot tub (to remove any remaining algae), replace your filter and refill with freshwater, not forgetting to balance your waters Total Alkalinity, then pH which will ensure you are giving your sanitizer the best water environment to work at its best.

Other considerations.

There are other causes of green water such as the presence of minerals (copper, manganese, and iron is the main culprits) from the pipes that fill your hot tub, or even present in your household water and don’t forget the no-go rules around fake tan. The chemicals in your hot tub will react with the fake tan and result in some interesting shades of brown and green on the sides of your hot tub and in the water!