What to do About Cloudy Water
This is a common problem for many spa users. The problem can usually be attributed to one or a combination of four things:
1) High pH/Alkalinity
2) Reduced filtration
3) Heavy usage
4) High total dissolved solids (TDS)
The problem is usually one of the first three listed above.
Solution:
Step 1: Check and adjust your pH and Alkalinity as needed using pH decreaser. pH decreaser will lower both your pH and Alkalinity. Always balance pH prior to adding other products to your tub. If you seem to be consistently fighting pH, have your water tested.
Step 2: Chemically clean filters by soaking with an approved filter cleaner or degreaser, then rinse thoroughly with high water pressure.
Step 3: Super-chlorinate. Technically this means raising your total chlorine to 10 ppm over your free chlorine, but most people don’t have the means to measure this. For most tubs, a little more than ¼ cup of chlorine usually will do the trick. After following these steps, give it a day. 80% of the time your water will clear up. If not, you need to get rid of dissolved solids.
Step 4: Dissolved solids build up over time from debris entering the water. The best way get rid of them is to empty the spa and start over. If time or weather doesn’t allow you to empty the spa completely, you may want to partially drain the tub which will dilute the waterl. Otherwise, use a water clarifier. Water clarifiers coagulate small particles so that the filter can more easily catch them. When using a water clarifier, be prepared to rinse filters and clean along the water lines for best results.
Posted by Jon Moir
