Updated on 11/07/2022 by Nathan Bull
Is your hot tub water looking cloudy or murky?
It’s a common water care problem we see all the time, and the good news is it’s usually a pretty easy fix. It’s important to note that there can be a few possible reasons it can happen. We’re going to look at the most common ones, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.
In most cases, cloudy water is cleared up with your sanitizer (chlorine or bromine). Here are the steps you should take when using chlorine as your sanitizer - bromine will be a similar process, just follow the directions on the back of the container instead when chlorine is mentioned.
- Increase your filter setting to 24 hours
- Test and balance your water
- Rinse or clean your filters
- Add two capfuls of Spa Shock and run pumps with the cover open for 20 minutes
- Add 30g (2 tablespoons) of chlorine per 1000L and continue to run pumps with the cover open for another 20 minutes
- Retest water in 6 hours (or the next morning if adding chlorine at night)
- If chlorine is 1ppm or less, repeat steps 5 and 6
- If chlorine is between 1 and 3ppm, add 15g per 1000L and repeat step 6
- If chlorine is between 3 and 5ppm, add 15g of chlorine
- If chlorine is above 5ppm, do a final water test the next morning
sale
Jacuzzi Chlorinating Granules
from $22.95
$41.25
Tip: Download the AquaChek Smart app to make water balancing a breeze. Know "what" and "how much" based on your strip colours.
Sanitize your hot tub with Jacuzzi Chlorinating Granules
Jacuzzi Brand Chlorinating Granules is a stabilized chlorine for your spa that provides effective sanitation as a soluble, quick-dissolving oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products. This powerful sanitizer is fast dissolving and can be used for both regular daily chlorination as well as super chlorination. Chlorine will not affect pH or total alkalinity nor will it promote scale build-up.
The chlorine level in your spa should be maintained between 1-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 160 ppm
Size: 1.5 kg or 720g
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
sale
Jacuzzi Bromine Tablets
from $38.95
$79.99
Sanitize your spa with Jacuzzi Brominating Tabs
Jacuzzi Bromine Tabs provide effective sanitation as a soluble oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products.
Jacuzzi Brominating Tabs should be used with Spa Shock on a weekly basis to maintain effective levels of sanitizer in your spa. Bromine Tabs require water flow to dissolve and should be placed in a floating dispenser and should not make direct contact with the spa or bleaching can occur.
Bromine is an alternative for Chlorine and can be used over a wider range of pH levels making it more forgiving in balancing water chemistry.
The bromine level in your spa should be maintained between 3-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 150 ppm
Weight: 1.5 kg
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Jacuzzi Brominating Granules 700 g
$29.95
Sanitize your hot tub with Jacuzzi brand brominating granules.
Jacuzzi Brand Brominating Granules provide effective sanitation as a soluble, quick-dissolving oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products.
Bromine is an alternative for Chlorine and can be used over a wider range of pH levels making it more forgiving in balancing water chemistry.
Each capful holds approximately 18 g of Brominating Granules.
The bromine level in your spa should be maintained between 3-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 150 ppm
Size: 700 g
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
sale
Jacuzzi Spa Shock
from $23.95
$63.00
Tip: Download the AquaChek Smart app to make water balancing a breeze. Know "what" and "how much" based on your strip colours.
Jacuzzi Spa Shock removes non-living organics and other contaminants from your hot tub without adding stabilizer, chloramines (which makes that "chlorine" smell) and frees up the chlorine to attack bacteria for a hot tub that is extra clean. More than that, Jacuzzi Spa Shock instantly gets rid of chloramines to make chlorine more effective and your tub smell and feel fresher. Using Jacuzzi Spa Shock will lower the amount of chlorine you use in your hot tub.
Spa Shock is used in combination with your choice of sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) to restore water quality and boost sanitizer levels. For the most effective use, add after every use of the hot tub and only add chlorine as needed (when levels drop below 3ppm). For best results, add Jacuzzi Spa Shock before adding chlorine. First, add Spa Shock and run the jets with the cover open for 20-minutes. Then add chlorine and run your jets for 20-minutes with the cover open.
Size: 1 kg or 3kg
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The goal is to continue to add sanitizer to your hot tub until it remains high for at least 24 hours - this indicates all contaminants have been destroyed. You may need to repeat the process server times.
Rinsing your filters at least once or twice daily will help clear up the cloudiness faster. It can sometimes take up to a week for cloudy water to clear fully, but you should notice differences overnight. Once your chlorine has remained high for 24 hours, you can add Spa Clear to help remove the cloudiness faster.
Pro tip: The longer the hot tub has less than 1ppm of chlorine, the more chlorine you’ll use because the bacteria causing the cloudy water will grow back if chlorine falls below 1ppm. Do not wait too long to retest your water.
If you’re still having issues with cloudy water after following these steps, take a look at some of these other possible reasons and how to treat them. In particular, if your cloudy water also feels slimy and is accompanied by discoloured, oily foam or large white flakes, see biofilm.
The most common cause of cloudy water is low sanitizer levels in your hot tub. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not adding enough chlorine or bromine; a few things can influence it.
sale
Jacuzzi Chlorinating Granules
from $22.95
$41.25
Tip: Download the AquaChek Smart app to make water balancing a breeze. Know "what" and "how much" based on your strip colours.
Sanitize your hot tub with Jacuzzi Chlorinating Granules
Jacuzzi Brand Chlorinating Granules is a stabilized chlorine for your spa that provides effective sanitation as a soluble, quick-dissolving oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products. This powerful sanitizer is fast dissolving and can be used for both regular daily chlorination as well as super chlorination. Chlorine will not affect pH or total alkalinity nor will it promote scale build-up.
The chlorine level in your spa should be maintained between 1-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 160 ppm
Size: 1.5 kg or 720g
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
sale
Jacuzzi Bromine Tablets
from $38.95
$79.99
Sanitize your spa with Jacuzzi Brominating Tabs
Jacuzzi Bromine Tabs provide effective sanitation as a soluble oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products.
Jacuzzi Brominating Tabs should be used with Spa Shock on a weekly basis to maintain effective levels of sanitizer in your spa. Bromine Tabs require water flow to dissolve and should be placed in a floating dispenser and should not make direct contact with the spa or bleaching can occur.
Bromine is an alternative for Chlorine and can be used over a wider range of pH levels making it more forgiving in balancing water chemistry.
The bromine level in your spa should be maintained between 3-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 150 ppm
Weight: 1.5 kg
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Jacuzzi Brominating Granules 700 g
$29.95
Sanitize your hot tub with Jacuzzi brand brominating granules.
Jacuzzi Brand Brominating Granules provide effective sanitation as a soluble, quick-dissolving oxidation treatment. Promoting water clarity, eliminating odours and organic waste such as body oils and cosmetic products.
Bromine is an alternative for Chlorine and can be used over a wider range of pH levels making it more forgiving in balancing water chemistry.
Each capful holds approximately 18 g of Brominating Granules.
The bromine level in your spa should be maintained between 3-5 ppm.
Ideal spa pH: 7.2-7.8
Ideal spa Alkalinity: 100 - 150 ppm
Size: 700 g
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
When pH levels in your hot tub are too high, they can severely impact sanitizer effectiveness. A pH reading of 8.0 will make chlorine about half as effective and 8.5 almost entirely ineffective - this is one reason why it’s essential to test your water before adding chlorine.
Jacuzzi pH Down 1 kg
$9.95
Reduce your pH and alkalinity with Jacuzzi pH Down.
Maintain a pH level of between 7.2 - 7.8 for safe and clean water.
Size: 1 kg
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Although this only represents a small percentage of cloudy water cases, it’s important to be aware of it. Like high pH levels, excessive phosphates can significantly impact your sanitizer demand. Hygiene products like soaps, shampoos, conditioners, make-up, and skin care products can gradually add phosphates to your spa, but they could also be added from tap water when you fill your hot tub.
No-Phos Phosphate Remover
$24.95
Specially formulated to remove phosphates in pools to improve water chemistry. Normal sanitizer levels will kill algae and No-Phos helps with the sanitizer efficiency. Regular use of No-Phos will help prevent the existence of all types of algae.
Recommended if you have high phosphates and have a salt generator.
Size: 1L
If you’ve tried our other steps and suspect you have excessive phosphates, head into a local pool or hot tub store and request a phosphate test. Fortunately, if you know you have excessive phosphates, it’s easy to control using a phosphate remover like No Phos.
If a filter is dirty or clogged, it’s unable to take any additional contaminants out of the water. Cleaning your filters will help clear up cloudiness, but you’ll likely need to do this a few times as there may be a buildup they need to clear out, which will cause them to become full again. Filters that are 8-12 months old or damaged will need to be replaced.
Jacuzzi Cartridge Cleaner
$15.95
Increase the life span of your filter with Jacuzzi Cartridge Cleaner
Jacuzzi Cartridge Cleaner's twin action is uniquely formulated not only to remove scale but to break down body oils, suntan lotion and grease that build upon the filters. Regular use of Jacuzzi Cartridge Cleaner, plus the use of a Zorbie will assure proper filtration of the spa water.
Size: 1 L
Product Instructions:
Rinse the dirty cartridge with clean water to remove loose hair and debris.
Add 500 mL (half the bottle) of Cartridge Cleaner to 10 litres of warm water in a PLASTIC pail. Remember to always add chemicals to water (and NEVER water to chemicals).
Place cartridge in the cleaning solution and allow to soak for 12 hours.
Remove the clean cartridge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Aqua Magic Cartridge Cleaner
$19.95
Aqua Magic Cartridge Cleaner is a powerful cartridge cleaner that eliminates the need for overnight filter baths!
Simply spray on and wash off - no more fussing with filter baths, just spray, rinse and then reinsert into your pool cartridge filter or spa.
650ml
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Filter Flosser
$59.95
Filter Flosser is a powerful, easy to use tool specifically developed for cleaning cartridge filter systems for pools, spas and industrial applications. This quick and easy to use tool fits into a standard garden house. The unique design saves 50% of water and can be used with any size or type of filter. The curved nozzle design creates a powerful converged spray pattern which generates a unique water & air agitation action that gets deep down between the pleats for fast and thorough cleaning.
TDS measures the total amount of solids dissolved in your water - including minerals, metals, salts, phosphates - pretty much anything that dissolves in your hot tub water. TDS is one of the main reasons you must drain your hot tub every 2-4 months.
When TDS reaches 2000-3000ppm, it becomes difficult to prevent water clarity issues, and more chemicals are needed to maintain a healthy spa. Another indicator of high TDS is difficulty controlling alkalinity. You can check your TDS using a TDS meter, which you can find at local hardware stores or Amazon.
Although cloudy water can sometimes be a sign of biofilm, it’s usually accompanied by other issues - unusual odour from the water, oily discoloured bubbles, or large white flakes. Biofilm can occur when a spa is left without sufficient sanitizer over some time. If you suspect biofilm, you’ll want to address it immediately - see our article on how to get rid of biofilm.
Hard water can contribute to cloudiness because of the increased TDS. Your total hardness levels should be between 150-250 ppm. If you’ve got hard water, read out blog post 6 easy steps to control hard water.
sale
Jacuzzi Stain and Scale 500 ml
from $17.95
$50.85
Protect your hot tub or spa from unsightly stains, scale formation, hard water, and rust with Jacuzzi Stain & Scale Control. This powerful formula keeps your shell and equipment looking pristine, ensuring a long-lasting and enjoyable spa experience.
Prevents stains, scale, and rust formation on hot tub surfaces
Prevents damage from hard water
Prolongs the lifespan of your spa equipment
Maintains the visual appeal of your hot tub or spa
Features:
Effective stain and scale control formula
Protects against hard water, minerals, and rust
Easy to use and apply
Size: 500 ml
Directions:
Add 1 capful of Jacuzzi Stain and Scale Control to your spa weekly
When changing the spa water, add 2 capfuls for thorough protection
Click here for Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The primary way to prevent cloudy water is by testing and cleaning your water regularly. Although pH and alkalinity can play a role in cloudiness, your sanitizer (chlorine or bromine) levels are the main ones to watch out for. Clean your water by periodically rinsing and cleaning your filters and removing large debris with a net. If you’re concerned with hygiene products like soaps and oils in your hot tub, consider using a Zorbie.
