Hot Tub Owners – Use the Correct Kit and Improve Your Water Testing

Often when it comes to testing our water we think ‘what a chore this is’ and how quickly we can ‘get it done’ but is this really good practice. Poor water quality can lead to potential problems and danger but if you don’t test your water properly how can you treat it correctly?

To test the water correctly especially the key parameters of chlorine and pH you should really be using a tablet reagents system based on the same chemistries as used by the professionals. Tablet based kits have advantages over other alternatives:

• Use the same chemistries as the professionals
• Tablets are individually sealed so the last tablet used is as fresh as the first. (No worries about reacting with the pool atmosphere whilst sitting in their pot)
• Clearer colour steps for easy comparison

And testing couldn’t be easier

Rinse the block several times with pool water Fill with water Add 1 x DPD No1 Tablet to Chlorine side Add 1 x Phenol Red Tablet to the pH side Replace lid Shake to dissolve tablets Compare the clear colour steps for readings Bromine can also be measured by using chlorine scales and x by 2.2

Think about testing – you have to agree safety and accuracy is more important than speed. Order one of our pool block kits today and start testing correctly.

Keep Testing – Keep Control – Keep Safe

Why do we test water?

In a pool or hot tub the most important item is the water. Without this you have a hole in the ground or an empty container. To make sure everything is perfect the water must be tested regularly. Why are we testing?

For the

• Comfort of bathers
• Control of Contamination (sanitising the water)
• Care of the Pool, Hot Tub and associated equipment
• Cost of chemicals and control of amount added

What should we be testing for?

There are many things you can test for in the water with the most important being the sanitiser (usually chlorine or bromine) and pH. These should always be tested together and correct levels are essential to ensure the safety of the users. The main water tests are:

Disinfectant – Chlorine / Bromine
pH
Total Alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Cyanuric Acid

But remember the first two are essential. The other tests are desirable but sometimes too much information can cloud the issue. There are many test strips that will give you all the above in one test. If you are not sure these readings are correct or don’t understand what they mean it can lead to problems. Make sure what you are testing is relevant, make sure you understand the readings and make sure they are correct

Keep Testing Keep Control Keep Safe

Testing starts with the sample – from where do we take it?

• The main body of water (i.e. pool or hot tub)
• Ideally mid-way between in / outlets
• Between 100 – 300mm below the surface

How do we take it?

• Clean plastic container (never take glass to a hot tub or pool)
• Rinse the container several times
• Make sure you have enough water
• Carry out tests straight away

Remember only measuring small quantities

• Equivalent to 1cm on the height of Everest
• Wash and dry hands before commencing (sweat can contaminate the sample)
• Use clean dry equipment
• Make sure you have sufficient sample
• Use suitable location

Carrying Out the Test

• Wash and dry hands
• Use clean dry sample tubes or pool block
• Rinse containers several times
• Do not handle the tablets
• Crush tablet using clean dry rod
• Allow time if appropriate

After Testing

• Empty and clean all the vials
• Dry all equipment
• Return all tablets to boxes
• Return equipment to box