Treatment FAQ

when to do spa shock treatment

by Twila Dietrich V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How do I use Spa Shock Treatment?

  • It is best to apply shock to your spa in the morning or evening and when there are no bathers in the water.
  • Remove your spa cover. This will allow the by-products of the reaction to be released into the air
  • Wear appropriate safety equipment including gloves and safety glasses
  • Balance your spa's pH and ensure it is between the recommended level of 7.2 and 7.6
  • Start your spa pumps to allow water to circulate. (Leave your jets and air blowers off to reduce turbulence)
  • Calculate the dosage based on the volume of your spa and the dosing instructions
  • Carefully add the appropriate dosage to your spa. Don't apply on a windy day or with children present.
  • Allow 15-45 minutes with the pumps running for the treatment to work before entering the water. (Check the directions on your shock).
  • Check and Maintain pH in the range of 7.2 - 7.8, Total Alkalinity in the range of 150-200mg/L & Calcium Hardness in the range of 150-300mg/L

When to Shock. It is a good practice to shock with dichlor when you refill your spa. After that, regular maintenance can normally be accomplished with non-chlorine shock. Other times for shock treatment include before or after heavy use and when the spa has been neglected.

When should I shock my hot tub?

Other times for shock treatment include before or after heavy use and when the spa has been neglected. Whenever a dose of non-chlorine shock needs an extra boost, dichlor will usually provide it and clear up problems. Read more about the decontamination method for hot tubs with severe, persistent water quality issues.

How often should I Shock my spa?

After that, regular maintenance shocking of once per week is recommended. Other times to use a shock treatment would include: prior to, or just after a party or other period of heavy bather load, when the spa has been neglected, or when restarting a spa that has not been used for some time.

Why do you shock a spa?

There are 3 main reasons to shock a spa: 1. To destroy excessive contaminants in a hot tub after use by several people, 2. To reactivate bromide ions into active bromine, and 3. To kill algae, bacteria, viruses and pathogens that may escape your normal daily sanitation chemical.

How long does it take for spa shock to work?

How long does Spa Shock take to work? Most spa shock will work within about 15 minutes. No matter your method of shocking, make sure to remove your spa cover for at least 45 minutes after adding the shock to allow the shock treatment to work well.

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When should I use spa shock?

Spa Shock should be used at least once a week as part of your regular maintenance routine. Other times when you should add Spa Shock include after heavy hot tub use or if the water has been left untreated for a long period of time.

How often do you have to shock hot tub?

once a weekWe advise everyone to shock their water once a week to reduce bacteria and impurities. You can do this with one of two products; chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock.

How long after shock treatment can I use hot tub?

5 After giving a shock treatment to your Lay‑Z‑Spa water, wait for a minimum of 24hrs then test chlorine level. Bathing can start when the chlorine level is 5ppm or less (ideal 3‑5ppm).

What do I do after I shock my hot tub?

7:198:41How To SHOCK Your HOT TUB | Swim University - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep number seven leave the hot tub uncovered. Don't cover the spa for at least 20 minutes to allowMoreStep number seven leave the hot tub uncovered. Don't cover the spa for at least 20 minutes to allow the shock to fully disperse.

Should I Shock hot tub after every use?

It is essential to shock the hot tub frequently – at least once every week. It is important to use Chlorine shocks as well as non-Chlorine shocks. The use of either bromine or Chlorine depends on your personal choice. Shocking the hot tub for cleanliness is not the only reason why you need frequent shocks.

Can you shock a hot tub too often?

Shocking too often: In most cases, shocking every week or two is good. If you are shocking literally after every single use, you can overshock your tub and will have to address it.

Is spa shock the same as chlorine?

Is Spa Shock the same as Chlorine? Sodium dichlor shock is a form of chlorine and can act as both sanitiser and shock treatment. If you're using a chlorine-free shock product like MPS (potassium peroxy-monosulphate), then this will not have any chlorine in it.

Is shock the same as chlorine?

Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.

Can you add chlorine and shock at the same time hot tub?

While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.

How quickly does shock work?

Heavy shocking with granular chlorine will generally require 24-48 hours before the chlorine level has dropped to safe swimming levels (below 5 ppm). Lithium and Non-Chlorine shock labels typically allow immediate swimming, but check the package label, to be sure.

How often should I use non chlorine shock in a hot tub?

weeklyWe recommend adding Non Chlorine Shock weekly alongside your existing hot tub maintenance routine but in some situations such as severe foaming or cloudy water, extra dosing may be required.

Do I heat hot tub before adding chemicals?

Wait until your hot tub water reaches 80ºF (30ºC) before you add anything. The heat helps the chemicals dissolve and incorporate into the water.

How long does it take for spa shock to work?

Most spa shock will work within about 15 minutes. No matter your method of shocking, make sure to remove your spa cover for at least 45 minutes after adding the shock to allow the shock treatment to work well. Every product is different so ensure you follow the instructions on the shock treatment product packaging.

Why shock a spa?

Shocking your spa will help break down waste and organic contaminants which cause odour and cloudy water. Once treated with spa shock, water quality and clarity are usually completely restored. Shocking your spa can also remove irritating chloramines by converting them back to active chlorine if you are using chlorine sanitisers.

How does shock work in a spa?

The ingredients in spa shock treatment react with organic waste material and contaminants in your spa water and help break them down quickly, ...

How to get rid of a spa reaction?

Remove your spa cover. This will allow the by-products of the reaction to be released into the air. Wear appropriate safety equipment including gloves and safety glasses. Balance your spa's pH and ensure it is between the recommended level of 7.2 and 7.6. Start your spa pumps to allow water to circulate. (Leave your jets and air blowers ...

Can you add chlorine and shock at the same time?

No, you should not add shock and chlorine at the same time. The best thing to do is add spa shock treatment first and allow that to work, then test and add chlorine if needed.

Can you use a spa shock on a Vortex?

No. If you have a Vortex or O2 spa and you are using Purezone Micron filters you should not use an MPS spa shock. The MPS shock can react with the Purezone filter media and cause the Purezone micron filters to prematurely clog. Instead of an MPS shock, you will want to use a higher dose of sanitiser as a shock.

How to shock a spa?

Shocking a Spa or Hot Tub 1 Read the Label – different oxidizers have varying strengths. Be careful not to overdose or underdose your spa shock treatment. 2 Measure your spa shock – dosing is so important. If you are 1/2 of an ounce off, you can underdose or overdose your spa. 3 Add Carefully – high winds can blow spa shock right in your face. Gently pour it over the surface and wash away any spills right away. Keep out of the reach of children.

What happens when you shock a spa?

In the case of granular chlorine or non-chlorine oxidizer – spa shocks, the oxidizer rapidly steals the outer electrons of contaminants it comes in contact with.

How to maintain bromine levels in spa water?

For a bromine spa, using an oxidizer weekly helps maintain the bromine level in your spa water. Activating bromide ions with spa shock converts them to hypobromous acid, the killing form of bromine. More on building a Bromine Bank here. To kill bacteria.

What to do if your spa water turns cloudy?

On the other hand, if your spa water turns dull and cloudy after use, or after use your sanitizer level is zero, and pH is pummeled, you may want to preemptively shock to boost levels. This is helpful for small spa filters that are overwhelmed with several spa users.

Why do you need to aerated your spa?

Especially during the first 20 minutes, your spa surface needs to be aerated to facilitate the exchange of electrons and gassing off of byproducts formed during oxidation.

Is spa shock dangerous?

Specifically, be cautious when using spa shock, oxidizers can be dangerous when misused or mishandled. Read the Label – different oxidizers have varying strengths. Be careful not to overdose or underdose your spa shock treatment. Measure your spa shock – dosing is so important.

Is chlorine shock a disinfectant?

Remember that non-chlorine shock is not classified as a disinfectant like chlorine or bro mine, but is useful only as an oxidizer. Use chlorine spa shock to kill bacteria or algae. You may see it, or just suspect it, or you may find the chlorine or bromine level has fallen to zero; shock to raise levels fast.

Is MPS shock a disinfectant?

Added weekly, MPS shock (potassium monopersulfate) is an oxidizer, and not a disinfectant, meaning it will only tackle the organic pollutants (body oils, skin flakes, sunblock, etc.) found in the water.

Can you put pool shock in hot tub?

Any kind of pool shock should be diluted before you pour it into the hot tub. This is a protective measure because of the chemical’s high concentration. The last thing you want is chlorinated shock to accidentally bleach your tub.

How to shock a hot tub

Once you've invested in one of the best hot tubs, the issue of how to shock a hot tub or spa comes up for important reasons. ‘Shocking your hot tub could mean the difference between a pleasant bathing experience or the start of bacteria,’ says Tim Snelling from Hot Tub Hub .

1. Add the shock treatment

A shock treatment needs to be added to the filled hot tub. ‘There is a wide range of shock treatment products available on the market, some of which are chlorine-based and some of which are non-chlorine treatments,’ says Sallie Leslie-Golding.

2. Test the water

The process of how to shock a hot tub is easy, but it is vital to test the chlorine or bromine levels in the water before you use the spa again. You may need to add chemicals to restore the correct levels.

How often to shock a hot tub

Shocking a hot tub is a process you need to carry out regularly. ‘A shock treatment should be carried out routinely once a week,’ says Sallie Leslie-Golding.

Hot tub shocking mistakes and how to avoid them

We asked the experts which mistakes they see when owners are discovering how to shock a hot tub. These are the pitfalls, so you can swerve them.

Why do spas shock?

There are 3 main reasons to shock a spa: 1. To destroy excessive contaminants in a hot tub after use by several people, 2. To reactivate bromide ions into active bromine, and 3. To kill algae, bacteria, viruses and pathogens that may escape your normal daily sanitation chemical.

What is a hot tub shock?

What is Hot tub Shock? Hot tub shocks are made from a powdered form of oxidizer, either a form of granular chlorine, non-chlorine potassium sulfate salts or liquid chlorine (bleach). When using a biguanide sanitizer system (Aqua Silk), the spa shock is made of liquid hydrogen peroxide, which can not be used in a bromine or chlorine treated spa/hot ...

What happens when hot tub water is oxidized?

Oxidation involves the transfer of electrons, and when hot tub water contaminants or pathogens are oxidized, they lose electrons, and quickly expire, or cease to exist. Today's blog post is all about shocking a spa or hot tub. What, how, when and why a spa or hot tub is shocked. A shocking topic to be sure!

Is there such a thing as bromine shock?

There is no such thing as bromine shock, although many people confuse bromide ions with spa shock. Bromides (aka Bromine Boosters or Reserve) are used sparingly to boost the 'bromide bank', which is reactivated into bromine by using chlorine granules, or MPS (aka non-chlorine shock).

Is spa shock dangerous?

Spa Shocks are dangerous - if mixed with any other chemical, or allowed to become moist, or contaminated with dirt or debris, it has the ability to produce noxious fumes, catch fire or explode. Yes, spa shock can be extremely hazardous, and must be stored in a cool, dry location, safely out of the reach of children.

Why Do I Need To Shock My Hot Tub?

Now before tossing in your corded toaster to try and shock your hot tub, know that the process of shocking has to do with chemicals. There are plenty of reasons why you should shock your hot tub water, including:

Hot Tub Shock Treatment

There are many types of shock out there, including calcium hypochlorite, dichlor, lithium hypochlorite, and non-chlorine shock.

How Often To Shock Hot Tub

You can use spa shock at least once every week. Many hot tub owners use it on a regular basis as part of their spa maintenance routines.

How often should I shock my hot tub?

Should I Shock My Hot Tub? All hot tub owners need to shock their hot tub once a week. Additional shock can also be added after extra heavy use. Shock both revitalizes the sanitizer in the water, but it also removes chloramines or bromamines which can render the sanitizer inert.

Why is it important to shock a hot tub?

It is important to shock your hot tub consistently and to also keep it nice and sanitized. Without this, the water can get gross and murky looking, and no one will want to use the hot tub.

What is the best hot tub shock?

Dichlor shock. The most active ingredient in many hot tub shock formulas. It can be added right into the water, depending on the instructions on your package. It is stabilized and will be okay in the heat. Make sure you shock at night, so the sun does not overheat the hot tub water. Lithium Hypochlorite.

Which is better for hot tub: chlorine or bromine?

Either one is great for cleaning or sanitizing it. However, chlorine is not great in the heat of your hot tub and breaks down faster. So while it’s cheaper, you will find you are adding it more frequently. Bromine is better to use overall as it holds up to the heat better.

What happens when you shock a hot tub?

Well, when you shock a hot tub, you are removing organic matter from the water and reactivating the sanitizer. Whereas sanitizing removes just bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it is important to do both for your hot tub, to keep it clean and working properly.

Is chlorine shock better than non chlorine shock?

Chlorine shock does a better job of cleaning the water than non-chlorine shock. But some people find it too harsh on the skin. My personal preference is bromine sanitizer tablets in a floater and powdered chlorine shock. So, you have a new hot tub and it is nice and relaxing, not to mention very warm in the winter.

Can you use liquid bleach in a hot tub?

Unfortunately, they’re not 100% correct. While you can use liquid bleach in a hot tub , you must use it in a certain way. So make sure you read this recent article before pouring in the Chlorox.

What is a hot tub shock treatment?

Hot tub shock treatments are the occasional use of chemicals to reduce the contaminants and oils that accumulate in the bathers’ hot tub water. The spa shock treatment breaks down organic contaminants to keep the water clear and clean. Potassium peroxymonosulfate is a chlorine-free shock treatment that oxidizes contaminants in water.

What are the hazards of a hot tub?

But the hazards of a hot tub’s life can disrupt water quality: heavy use, capricious weather, equipment failure, lack of maintenance, or any other anomaly.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide in a hot tub?

You can use active oxygen or hydrogen peroxide for shock treatment. If you have questions about the maintenance of your hot tub, or if you need an advice on a product or accessory, feel free to contact us now!

Can you use oxygen in a hot tub?

Treating your hot tub with active oxygen. Active oxygen is frequently used for hot tub treatment. It is a non-irritating and natural product. The active oxygen must be supplemented by a persistent product to reinforce its disinfecting action (algaecide). Chlorine-based products can be combined with this treatment if, for example, ...

Is PHMB a stand alone treatment?

It is very insensitive to temperature and pH variations. PHMB, unlike chlorine, is not an algaecide. It is not a stand-alone treatment. Thus, PHMB is often used in addition to an anti-algae treatment.

Is chlorine safe for hot tubs?

Be careful though, chlorine is sensitive to high temperatures. It is much less effective above 28C. It is therefore not the most appropriate treatment for hot tubs. NB: Chlorine is often contraindicated for inflatable hot tubs. Check carefully what is indicated in your user manual.

Is bromine good for hot tubs?

In addition, bromine has less odour than chlorine and does not produce any by-products (unlike chlorine, which produces chloramines, responsible for “chlorine odours” and eye and skin irritation). Bromine is therefore very suitable for hot tub treatment.

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