5 Essential Spa Chemicals You Need for a Safe Start-Up
Many of our customers have moved into a property with an existing spa and inherited a collection of old and unfamiliar spa chemicals sitting in the shed. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by what these products do, whether they’re still usable and what spa chemicals are still needed. The good news is we’ve put together all of the basics for you so you can relax knowing your spa is being maintained properly.
Getting the water balanced properly from the beginning helps protect your equipment, improves water clarity and safety and makes ongoing maintenance much easier. While every spa is different, most start-ups rely on the same core spa chemicals.
If you own a spa and have little to no experience looking after one, this article is for you.
Alkalinity Increaser
Alkalinity increaser raises total alkalinity levels in your spa’s water. Total alkalinity helps stabilise pH and makes the water easier to manage. If alkalinity is too low, pH levels can fluctuate quickly and water balance can become difficult to maintain. In many cases, alkalinity is one of the first things adjusted in a spa with fresh water.
- Low alkalinity levels can cause the pH to fluctuate and affect your sanitiser’s ability to sanitise.
pH Reducer
pH reducer lowers pH levels when they become too high.
Most fresh spa fills do not usually require pH decreaser immediately because tap water is naturally slightly acidic or close to neutral. However, over time spa water pH levels typically rise due to heated water and other external factors so this becomes a spa chemical many owners use regularly later on.
- High pH can contribute to cloudy water, scale build-up and reduced sanitiser efficiency.
Hardness Raiser
Hardness raiser increases calcium hardness levels in the water.
Calcium hardness helps protect spa equipment and surfaces from corrosive water. Unlike sanitiser or pH, hardness levels generally only decrease through dilution or water replacement, so hardness raiser is usually only needed on the initial fill or after draining and refilling the spa.
- Low calcium can contribute to etching of surfaces and equipment including glue around fibreglass fittings. If calcium levels are low in the water, it will draw calcium from elsewhere.
Oxidising Shock
An oxidising shock helps break down organic waste in the water such as body oils, perspiration and cosmetics.
Products like Spa Shock or Quick Fix help support your sanitiser and keep the water clearer and fresher between water changes. Regular shocking is an important part of ongoing spa maintenance.
- Without an oxidiser, your sanitiser can struggle to perform its job. We typically recommend using this product 1-2 times a week or after heavy use.
Choosing a Sanitiser
Every spa needs a sanitiser to control bacteria and keep the water hygienic. Common spa sanitiser options include:
- Chlorine
- Bromine
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Biguanide
- Saltwater chlorinator (usually uncommon in spas)
Each sanitiser system works differently and the right choice depends on your usage habits and personal preference. Here are some separate guides explaining and comparing these sanitiser systems in more detail so you can better understand which option may suit your spa best.
Specialty Spa Chemicals You May Use Later
As you become more familiar with your spa, there are a few additional spa chemicals you may occasionally use to help manage common issues.
- Go Foam helps reduce foaming caused by oils, detergents and residue in the water.
- Water Clarifier helps reduce cloudiness by binding fine particles together so they can be filtered out.
- Spa and pipe degreaser is used before draining the spa to help clean residue and build-up from inside the pipework.
- Filter cleaner helps deep clean cartridge filters and improve water circulation and clarity.
These specialty spa chemicals are generally used as needed or when drawing and refilling the spa rather than as part of your regular weekly chemical routine.
Why Professional Water Testing Helps
The best approach after filling your spa with fresh tap water is to bring a water sample into store for professional testing. This allows you to add the correct amounts of spa chemicals from the beginning rather than guessing which makes future spa maintenance more straight-forward and can prevent problems later on.
If you’re unsure what spa chemicals you need or which sanitiser to choose, simply bring a water sample into store and we can guide you through the correct chemical adjustments for your specific set up, “because everybody deserves a safe and healthy pool”.
