Why is my hot tub water cloudy, foamy or green?
The King County public health hot tub guide lists the same steps for all three: filter more, clean the filter, check pH and chlorine, replace the water if needed. In the One Model, check the app readings, test with a strip, check the filter, then contact Good Hot Tubs.
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
The King County public health hot tub guide (Seattle and King County, Washington) names a few causes. High pH can make the water cloudy. So can the filter, when it is clogged: water that stays cloudy after proper sanitising is one of the guide's signs that a filter needs cleaning.
The guide also says that heavy evaporation can make the water cloud up, because the chemicals and other substances in the water become more concentrated. Adding fresh water, adjusting chlorine and pH, and running the filter should clear it. If they do not, the guide says you may need to drain and refill.
The CDC adds a link to chlorine. As pH goes up, chlorine gets worse at killing germs, so a pH that has drifted high can leave the water doing a poorer job.
Why is my hot tub water foamy?
The guide says soaps and lotions can form foam and scum in the water. That includes suntan lotion, bath oils, soap and shampoo. Oils also coat and clog the filter mesh, and they use up chlorine.
Its advice is to shower with soap and rinse well before you get in. Its fix for foaming water is the same set of steps as for cloudy water, which are listed below.
Why is my hot tub water green?
The King County guide lists water that is cloudy or coloured as a problem and gives the same steps for both. A green tint counts as coloured water.
The guide also says bacteria, algae and fungi do well in warm water, and that chlorine prevents the growth of bacteria and algae. That is a reason to test chlorine early. Then check the filter, and contact Good Hot Tubs if the water does not clear.
What are the steps to fix cloudy, foamy or coloured water?
The King County guide gives one list for cloudy or coloured water and for foaming. Increase filtration time. If you have already tried that, clean the filter and the filter equipment. Check pH and chlorine and adjust them. If necessary, replace the tub water.
Two other rules from the King County guide apply here. Do not run the pump or heater when the water is below the proper level. And if you add scents or salts, check with a store before using them, because they can upset the water's balance.
The guide lists two other signs. Water that feels slimy or hard calls for a check of pH, chlorine and total alkalinity, and for more filtering. A foul smell or a heavy chlorine odour, or burning eyes, calls for a free chlorine test.
How does the One Model handle cloudy water?
The water pump already runs 24 hours a day, so the water keeps moving through the filter, the ozone chamber, the salt system and the heater. So adding filter time is not a step in the One Model. The steps are different.
Open the app (Gecko in.touch 3) and look at what Waterlab reads for pH, ORP and temperature. Test the water with a strip and enter the result. Check the filter, which is on a check-and-replace routine every 3 to 6 months. If the readings and the filter look fine and the water still looks wrong, contact Good Hot Tubs. Under warranty, Good Hot Tubs arranges the repair.
How do you keep the water clear?
Test on a schedule, keep chlorine and pH in range, and keep the filter in good shape. The CDC recommends at least 3 ppm of chlorine in a hot tub and a pH of 7.0 to 7.8. The King County guide says a well-fitting cover keeps dust and debris out of the water.
Once a year, you book a check-up with your local expert on Vancouver Island. A One Model is set up and running on the Island for test soaks, so you can see the water and ask about the routine in person.
Questions
Can high pH make hot tub water cloudy?
Yes, according to the King County guide. The CDC adds that chlorine gets worse at killing germs as pH goes up.
Do scents or salts change hot tub water?
The King County guide says to check with a store before using scents, salts or soaps. Some scents and salts have dyes that colour a cartridge filter, and some can interfere with chlorine or upset the water's balance.
Does sweat or sunlight use up hot tub chlorine?
Yes. The CDC lists sweat, dirt and sunlight, and the mist from hot tub jets, among the things that reduce chlorine.
Can a dirty filter cause cloudy water?
Yes. The guide lists water that stays cloudy after proper sanitising as one sign a filter needs cleaning.
Sources
General facts on this page come from these public sources. Facts about the One Model come from Good Hot Tubs.
- Staying Happy and Healthy in Your Hot Tub, sixth edition (PDF). Public Health, Seattle and King County.
- Home Pool and Hot Tub Water Treatment and Testing. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Related answers
Is the One Model right for you?
Ten questions about your home and how you would use a hot tub. You see your result before you give any contact details, and you can ask for a test soak on Vancouver Island when you send it.