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Best Hot Tub Chemicals

by Abby Lemay November 19, 2019
by Abby Lemay

As excellent and relaxing as inflatable hot tubs can be, they also require a little work and maintenance to keep them clean and ensure they are safe to use and remain durable. This involves the use of spa chemicals, which can be a little intimidating if you are not used to using them.

So if you are asking yourself, What Chemicals do I need for a hot tub? in the following article, we hope to put a lot of your worries and anxieties regarding this to rest and advise on the best hot tub chemicals to use.

Don’t have time to read our full review right now? No worries! Here are our top 3 picks off the best hot tub chemicals you just might have;

OUR CHOICE!
OUR #1 PICK
Baqua Spa Pack

  • 3-Part pack
  • Chlorine free
  • Gentle on skin
  • Stain control

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Read our review
PROFESSIONAL
Hot Tub Serum

  • Powerful clean
  • Crystal clear water
  • Fights Bio-matter
  • 1 use per week

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Read our review
ON A BUDGET
Hot Tub Spa Shock

  • America's #1
  • No cloudy water
  • Assured Quality
  • Purest Chemicals

Check Amazon →
Read our review

Best Chemicals to Use for Inflatable Hot Tubs

Contents

  • Best Chemicals to Use for Inflatable Hot Tubs
    • 1. Leisure Time Spa Up
    • 2. Hot Tub Things Oxidizing Spa Shock
    • 3. Baqua Spa 3-Pack Introductory Maintenance Pack
    • 4. Hot Tub Serum Total Maintenance
    • 6. Leisure Time Bromine Tabs
    • 7. Spa Choice Brominating Tabs
    • 8. In The Swim Brominating Tablets
    • 9. SpaGuard Enhanced Shock
    • 10. SpaGuard Spa Water Clarifier
  • Hot Tub Chemical Buying Guide
    • What are Sanitizers?
    • Using a Chlorine Sanitizer for your Inflatable Hot Tub
    • Hot Tub Chlorine Tablets
    • Hot Tun Chlorine Granules
    • Using a Bromine Sanitizer for your Inflatable Hot Tub

We will look at the different types of chemicals for hot tub you need and how you should use them, and hope this hot tub chemicals guide reassures you and enables you to enjoy yours to the full.

Please note: these chemicals do not replace the need for a proper hot tub vacuum for removing larger, visible dirt and debris.

1. Leisure Time Spa Up

LEISURE TIME Up for Spas and Hot Tubs

Worried about your hot tub’s pH level dropping too low? This bottle of Spa Up fixes exactly that. The ideal pH level for a spa is between 7.2 – 7.8. Anything lower than 7.2 is bad for your equipment because it causes corrosion.

Spa Up is part of a range of hot tub chemicals by Leisure Time. You only need small amounts; 1 ounce for when the pH is between 6.8 – 7.2 and 2 ounces for when it is less than 6.8.

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Pros

  • Compatible with all sanitizers including bromine, chlorine and biguanide
  • Only small amount needed

Cons

  • Only serves one purpose

2. Hot Tub Things Oxidizing Spa Shock

Hot Tub Things Oxidizing Spa Shock 2.2 Pounds

This popular American brand has a great versatile product that is suitable for preventing organic buildup in all kinds of water including hot tubs, swim spas, and swimming pools.

Every week, sprinkle in 2 ounces for every 300 gallons of water and keep the pump running for at least 30 minutes for an even spreading. This oxidizing shock formula is meant as an addition to your regular sanitizer. It helps reach the right levels faster.

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Pros

  • Multifunctional
  • Suitable for all sanitizers
  • More affordable

Cons

  • Poor shipping

3. Baqua Spa 3-Pack Introductory Maintenance Pack

Baqua Spa 88863 3-Part Introductory Pack Spa Maintenance

Get everything that you need with a single order by getting this Baqua set. It includes a waterline control, oxidizer, and sanitizer which takes you through all 3 necessary steps of keeping a spa clean.

This product does not contain bromine nor chlorine so if you have sensitive skin this is a less irritating alternative. Follow the instructions and use these chemicals once a week without ever having to add harsher chemicals.

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Pros

  • Chemicals used are kinder to skin
  • Complete maintenance kit

Cons

  • Not suitable for toughest organic buildup

4. Hot Tub Serum Total Maintenance

Hot Tub Serum Total Maintenance Hot Tub Conditioner and Clarifier

Do you prefer to buy things in bulk over having lots of empty plastic bottles lying around the house? Then set yourself up for 24 weeks of beautifully clear and soft spa water with this jumbo bottle.

A single 2-liter bottle lasts for 4 months and prevents organic buildup while also keeping the pipes squeaky clean. Combine this with the Hot Tub Serum sanitizer for weekly maintenance and you will get the best effect.

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Pros

  • Long-lasting bottle
  • Suitable for all kinds of water
  • Advanced scientific formula

Cons

  • Only effective in combination with a sanitizer

5. Spa Choice Sanitizing Chlorine Granules

SpaChoice Chlorine Granules for Spas and Hot Tubs.psd

Prefer sticking to tried and true products? Then get the required chlorine dose for your spa from these quickly dissolving granules containing 56% available chlorine.

Chlorine is the standard choice as a cleaning chemical for spas and swimming pools. It kills bacteria and prevents algae from growing leaving you with clear and clean water.

This product comes in a big 5-pound bucket which lasts for a long time considering each teaspoon already provides 1.4 ppm for 500 gallons of water.

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Pros

  • Granules dissolve quickly
  • Very affordable
  • Long-lasting effect

Cons

  • Difficult to measure exact proportions

6. Leisure Time Bromine Tabs

Leisure Time Tabs Bromine Tablets.psd

There is a sharp odor to chlorine which is why many people prefer bromine which is odorless but still effective. These are bromine tabs which slowly dissolve with minimal dust inside floaters.

Leisure Time also has the same bromine tabs available as a set with non-chlorine shock or with extra water test strips. Each pack is a 4-pound package which is quite large and so enough for several months.

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Pros

  • Odorless sanitizer, a good replacement for chlorine
  • Available as large pack and combination packs

Cons

  • Tabs might crumble inside the pack which makes it less effective

7. Spa Choice Brominating Tabs

SpaChoice Brominating Tabs Sanitizer for Spas and Hot Tubs.psd

If you are looking for a more affordable alternative to the Leisure Time bromine tabs then consider getting this 5-pound bucket sold by Spa Choice. Just because the price tag is smaller does not mean it is lesser quality – this formula has 98% of the active ingredient.

The packaging is also an advantage. The lid gives you easy access while still being a child-safe design to prevent the young ones from accessing it unsupervised.

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Pros

  • Value pack
  • Slow-dissolving, perfect for warmer water temperatures
  • Stable bromine levels

Cons

  • Child-safe lock takes some getting used to for the easy opening

8. In The Swim Brominating Tablets

In The Swim 1" Inch Pool and Spa Bromine Tablets

Get the best of the two most trusted chemicals for keeping spas clean with this combination spa cleaning tablet produced by In The Swim. It contains 61% available bromine and 27% available chlorine, delivering a double punch to any bacteria and algae.

The great thing about this combination is that it has all the effects of chlorine but because of the low dosage does not have a sharp odor. It is suitable for filling any bromine floater or feeder.

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Pros

  • Contains chlorine without the smell
  • Slow-dissolving for a longer-lasting effect

Cons

  • Cannot be stored in cold temperatures

9. SpaGuard Enhanced Shock

SpaGuard Enhanced Shock

Shock is a spa cleaner that combines several functions in one. For example, this extra strong shock by SpaGuard is an oxidizer, water clarifier, flocculent and buffer in one.

It is a simple step in your hot tub maintenance because it does not require any pre-mixing and dissolves quickly. The enhanced chemicals are quick in action, providing you with clear and clean water in just 15 minutes.

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Pros

  • All-in-one spa cleaning chemicals
  • Quick action with quick results
  • Available in multipacks for easy stock at home

Cons

  • Not suitable in combination with other sanitizers

10. SpaGuard Spa Water Clarifier

SpaGuard Spa Water Clarifier - 1 Pint

Sometimes, the water in your hot tub can get a little cloudy from the combination of cleaning chemicals. Bring it back to a nice clarity using this SpaGuard clarifier that does not affect the pH levels of the water.

How it works is that the small particles in the water are pulled together into larger particles. These larger particles are much easier for the filtration system to trap leaving you with only clear water.

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Pros

  • Doesn’t affect water pH levels
  • Aids the filtration system

Cons

  • Not sufficient on its own, must be combined with a sanitizer

Hot Tub Chemical Buying Guide

Even water that looks crystal clear and sparkling clean still needs to be sanitized, because there are many invisible nasties that are probably present. So, from the very first time you use your inflatable spa, you need to make sure you have a sanitizer at the ready to add.

Once the water has warmed up and is bubbling nicely, that’s when it’s time to add the sanitizer. From that moment onwards, you need to check the level regularly, to make sure its pH level is safe.

What are Sanitizers?

Sanitizers are by far, the most important chemicals in a hot tub that you will need to purchase and use with your inflatable hot tub. This spa chemical is to help ensure the water is always hygienically safe and clean.

It is able to do this by basically attacking and then destroying any algae and other harmful bacteria that might be present and building up inside the water. Hot water is the ideal breeding place for many kinds of germs, so it’s crucial that you use sanitizers to get rid of them.

PH Level Inflatable Hot Tub

Different Types of Sanitizers

There are two main types of sanitizers to choose from, and it really depends on personal preference as to which is best. The two chemicals you can choose from include:

  • Bromine
  • Chlorine

Using a Chlorine Sanitizer for your Inflatable Hot Tub

Chlorine is by far the most popular sanitizing chemical for inflatable hot tubs. This is because it is very effective at eradicating bacteria and is much cheaper than bromine and other alternatives. One characteristic of chlorine though, that many people do not like is the fact that it has an odor.

You’ll remember the smell from any time you went to a public swimming pool, as they use chlorine. The smell though will not be quite as bad as it is in a swimming pool, because your spa is a lot smaller than a public swimming pool.

It is also worth noting that the smell is actually a positive thing. The smell means that the chlorine is dying and it only dies when it is attacking and destroying the bacteria in the water. So, the smell is a sign it is doing its job properly.

There are two options if you are going to invest in chlorine, tablets, and granules.

Hot Tub Chlorine Tablets

These tablets are generally used in a plastic chemical floater that will normally be included when you buy the unit. Although you should refer to the owner’s instructional DVD or manual to determine how many tablets you should use, it is generally between two to six. Although that will depend on the size of your model.

Put the right amount into the floater and then drop it into the water when it’s hot. As the tablets dissolve slowly, it will be released gradually and start to work its way through the water. Importantly, this means you need to wait a minimum of two hours before getting into the tub.

As time goes on, you should check the chlorine levels in the water regularly and add additional tablets when necessary. They tend to last around three to five days on average, which means you will need to use quite a lot over time. That’s why it’s best investing in a larger container from the get-go.

Hot Tun Chlorine Granules

Chlorine in granulated form can either be used by simply adding the correct amount directly into the tub and letting the heat dissolve them and the air jets swirl them around or you could use a plastic pitcher.

Add the appropriate number of granules to the pitcher, then the hot water from your hot tub and stir until dissolved, before adding the combined mixture into your spa.

This is probably the best way to do it as it ensures the granules are fully active and ready to do their work. As with tablets, you still need to wait around two hours before getting into the tub.

Chemicals to Use for Inflatable Hot Tubs

Chlorine Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Acts fast
  • Easy to control and use
  • Aggressive killer of bacteria
Cons
  • Chemical smell
  • Needs to be shocked to reactivate
  • Irritable to sensitive skin
  • pH needs to be checked regularly

Using a Bromine Sanitizer for your Inflatable Hot Tub

Bromine is second in popularity only to Chlorine and is equally effective with the distinct advantage that it’s completely odorless.  The big downside about bromine though is that it is more expensive. Furthermore, it doesn’t tend to last quite as long, so it needs to be added much more frequently and regularly.

Similarly, to Chlorine, you can use bromine in granule or tablet form. The procedure is also exactly the same. However, the biggest difference you need to keep in mind between the two is that bromine works slower than chlorine.

This means you need to wait a little longer before you can get into the water. Generally, it is around four to eight hours but it depends on the amount you use and the size of your tub. Many people prefer to just add bromine at night and leave it to work on the water overnight before using the tub.

Bromine Sanitizer for Hot Tub

Bromine Pros and Cons

Pros
  • No chemical smell
  • Aggressive killer of algae
  • Great choice for people with sensitive skin
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Needs to be replaced more frequently
  • Works slower
  • Breaks down when exposed to sunlight

You should now have enough information to ensure that your inflatable hot tub is hygienic and safe to use.

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Abby Lemay
Abby Lemay

Over the past 9 years, I have worked as a retailer for some great hot tub manufacturers across the USA. Starting with a family business and working my way up to working with some of the best hot tub brands around the world – you could say I know a thing or two about them!

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Baqua Spa Pack Chemicals For Hot Tubs

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  • Chlorine-free
  • Gentle on skin
  • Stain control

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