One tool we recommend for your hot tub chemical kit is tub shock. Below is your how-to guide on using shock to super-clean your tub water.
What is Hot Tub Shock?
Let’s talk technical. From a chemical standpoint, hot tub shock is an oxidizer. An oxidizer is a chemical that causes impurities to lose electrons, and that causes them to break down quickly.
These are in powdered or liquid form and can come in various chemical composition: chlorine in granular form, non-chlorine salts, or liquid chlorine. It’s important to check with your Hot Tub manufacturer for information on your sanitization system and what forms of shock are most compatible with it.
Of course, these are chemicals that only perform safely when used correctly. Just like any other product- you should carefully monitor the amount of shock used to avoid skin and lung irritation. Additionally the product should be stored in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets, where it cannot be exposed to debris or flame.
Why to Shock Your Hot Tub
Most of the time, regular sanitization of your tub is enough to keep it clean and comfortable. With multiple uses or a heavy bather load, the water can become contaminated by organic matter dragged in from users and we recomend shocking after each use. It’s also important to shock if you’re using your Tub for the first time, you’ve changed the water, or you begin to see the formation of algae.
Shocking your hot tub covers three actions: Removing, Eradicating, Reactivating.
Shocking your hot tub removes organic matter that causes cloudy water and other malfunctions. As mentioned previously, a heavy load of bathers, or frequent uses, can create a buildup of icky organic matter from hair and skin, to sweat and other unmentionables. This is, of course, an inevitability of bathers using the tub.
Shocking your hot tub removes Chloramines and Bromamines. These unsavory characters are molecules formed by organic waste (nitrogen and ammonia) meeting the contents of your pool sanitizer. This releases a particular odor- if you’ve ever been to a pool that stank very badly of chlorine, most likely it was in need of a shock.
These molecules can cause cloudy water, algae growth and can be dangerous to your bathers. Shocking, and for more extreme cases, draining and shocking, will help to get safe and clear water.
Shocking your Tub eradicates bacteria. If your haven’t frequently used your hot tub, left it uncovered and exposed to the sunshine or haven’t been sanitizing correctly- your bathers are at risk of bacteria exposure. Some of these bacteria, like Biofilm, are not particularly dangerous but can cause unclear water. However, there are other forms of bacteria like Legionella that can cause serious illness to you and your guests. Shock can be used to maintain a clean tub and a balanced PH.
Shocking your Tub reactivates bromides in the spa. Some Hot Tubs use bromine instead of chlorine for sanitizing. Weekly application of shock helps your bromine to do its job cleaning your tub.
How to Shock Your Hot Tub and How Long to Wait
- Remove your hot tub's cover. This is an important step as it allows the chemical reaction to release into the air rather than to circulate around the enclosure.
- Apply safety gloves while handling shock.
- Check that your tub's PH is between 7.2 and 7.6 (balanced or neutral PH).
- Turn on your pumps, but keep the air off. This will allow for calm water that is not too turbid.
- Choose your dose of shock according to the package and label. Be cautious while putting shock into the water.
- After NON-CHLORINE shock wait 10-15 minutes before entering. After chlorine shock it can take up to 24 hours to clear. Therefore it is recommended to use non-chlorine shock. It is always recommended to test with a PH strip again before entering.
Hot Tub Shock Application
To conclude: Shocking is important for maintaining clear water and guaranteeing the safety of your bathers. These chemicals remove and eradicate unsavory molecules and give your non-chlorine sanitizer a boost in doing its job. It can also help eliminate the need to drain and refill your tub.
Because of the chemical compound of shock, as discussed in the previous sections, shock should always be used carefully, according to the package. You must wait 10-15 minutes before entering the tub after application, and of course, PH testing is always a good idea.
If you’re ready to get shocking, below are some must have products for your hot tub tool kit!
- AquaChek 6-in-1 Spa Test Strips
- SpaBoss Shock
FAQs
There are two main types of shock products available: chlorinated and non-chlorinated. Chlorinated hot tub hock products utilize chlorine to break down organic matter in a hot tub. While it may be tempting to go for a chlorinated shock when your hot tub needs a clean, it's not always the best option.
What are the different types of spa shocks? ›
There are two main types of shock products available: chlorinated and non-chlorinated. Chlorinated hot tub hock products utilize chlorine to break down organic matter in a hot tub. While it may be tempting to go for a chlorinated shock when your hot tub needs a clean, it's not always the best option.
What is the best shock for a hot tub? ›
The best hot tub shock to use is dichlor. Dichlor withstands the heat of the hot tubs as long as you leave it open and is not used during the day if the hot tub is outdoors. This is because the sun dries up chlorine easily. The second best hot tub shock is a non-chlorine shock used with fluorine or chlorine sanitizer.
What happens if you put too much shock in your spa? ›
So, if you add too much shock to the water, it can rust and corrode the impeller, igniter, and/or other pool components. Consequently, you'll have expensive repairs on your hands. That's not all. The chemicals in an over-shocked hot tub can break down seals and gaskets in your spa equipment.
What do I need to shock a hot tub? ›
In essence, shocking your hot tub or swim spa means adding a higher than usual dose of oxidiser chemicals to the water. This is also known as oxidising. We 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.
Are all spa shocks the same? ›
There are two main types of shock recommended for hot tubs: Chlorine and Non-Chlorine shock. The type you pick to shock your hot tub will depend on which type of sanitizer you use to regularly clean your home spa. If you use chlorine, a chlorine shock is recommended.
What are the 3 main types of shock strut? ›
No matter the application, all shock absorbers fit into one of three broadly defined types conventional telescopic shock absorbers, struts or spring seat shocks.
- Conventional telescopic shock absorbers. ...
- Strut type shock absorbers. ...
- Spring seat shocks.
Keep your hot tub running, as this will help mix the shock into your hot tub's water. You'll also want to close your hot tub's air valves so its jets aren't running too strong, as that would cause the chemicals to dissipate too quickly and your shock to not work properly.
Should I shock my hot tub after every use? ›
Regular hot tub shocking is inevitable to keep your water clean and safe for use. Dead skin and other elements like hair may end up dropping in the hot tub, leaving the tub in a mess. It is essential to shock the hot tub frequently – at least once every week.
What happens if you don't shock your hot tub? ›
Shocking your hot tub removes Chloramines and Bromamines.
These molecules can cause cloudy water, algae growth and can be dangerous to your bathers. Shocking, and for more extreme cases, draining and shocking, will help to get safe and clear water.
You may need to wait 24 – 48 hours after shocking your hot tub before using it. It takes at least 24 hours for shock to dissipate from a spa or hot tub. This allows the sanitizer to settle and do its job while you're waiting. If you don't wait long enough, your water will still be dirty even after treating it.
Can I shock my hot tub two days in a row? ›
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.
How long does hot tub 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. Every product is different so ensure you follow the instructions on the shock treatment product packaging.
How many spoons of chlorine does it take to shock a hot tub? ›
Typically, the amount of chlorine you need to put in your hot tub for the first time is around one teaspoon of chlorine granules for every 100 gallons of fresh water. Generally, you need to aim for a chlorine level of between 5 and 8 ppm. For subsequent treatments, keep free chlorine levels between 2 and 4 ppm.
How much chlorine should I use to shock my hot tub? ›
How Much Shock For Hot Tubs Should You Use? If you're using chlorine or bromine as your shock treatment, you typically use 20 grams per 1,000 litres (4 teaspoons per 250 gallons) if the water is clear. If the water is cloudy, use 30 grams per 1,000 litres (6 teaspoons per 250 gallons if cloudy).
How much shock do I need for a 400 gallon hot tub? ›
SHOCK TREATMENT:
ADD 1 OZ. OF SHOCK TREATMENT TO SPA EACH WEEK FOR 150-250 GALLON SPAS. ADD 2 OZ. OF SHOCK TREATMENT TO SPA EACH WEEK FOR 250-450 GALLON SPAS.
What is the difference between spa shock and spa shock oxidizer? ›
The term oxidizers is used interchangeably with shock treatment in many cases. That is because many shock treatments contain oxidizing chemicals. However, it is possible to find shock treatments that do not contain oxidizing chemicals as well as oxidizers that do not serve the purpose of a shock treatment.
Are there different types of pool shock? ›
The type of shock you should use will depend on your water chemistry and the reason you're shocking. If the water is green, you should use a cal-hypo shock. However, if you're shocking as part of weekly maintenance and your pool looks clean, you can use sodium dichlor, potassium monopersulfate or sodium hypochlorite.
Is spa shock the same as spa Oxyshock? ›
Spa Shock (or Oxy Shock) is a type of chemical called an oxidiser. Oxidisers help break down and remove organic matter in the spa by releasing it into the air. This then “reactivates” the sanitiser (usually Chlorine) in the spa allowing it to continue killing off harmful organisms in the water.
Is there a difference between pool shock and spa shock? ›
Remember – chemicals used to treat a pool or hot tub are not the same. They are designed specifically for a pool OR for a hot tub. Using chemicals designed for a pool – a large body of water – in your spa can damage your hot tub.
