Hot Tub Chemicals in Ireland

What chemicals does a hot tub need?

Every hot tub needs three things: a sanitiser to kill bacteria (chlorine or bromine), pH balancers to keep the water between 7.2 and 7.6, and test strips so you know where you stand. Most owners also use a non-chlorine shock after heavy use, a filter cleaner and an anti-foam. That’s it. You don’t need a cupboard full of bottles.

Chlorine or bromine?

Chlorine works fast, costs less and is easy to test, which is why most Irish hot tub owners use it. Bromine is more stable in hot water, smells less and is gentler on sensitive skin, but it costs more and is slower to raise. Pick one and stick to it: never mix chlorine and bromine products.

How to use chlorine tablets in a hot tub

Put 20 g chlorine tablets in a floating dispenser, never loose on the floor or in the filter, as they can bleach the shell. Start with one or two tablets and open or close the dispenser vents until your test strip reads 3–5 ppm. In an inflatable hot tub, a floater with tablets plus a small dose of granules after each use keeps things simple.

A simple weekly routine

• Test the water two or three times a week.
• Adjust pH first, then chlorine or bromine.
• Shock once a week or after a busy weekend.
• Rinse the filter weekly and deep clean it monthly.
• Drain and refill every three months or so.

For more, read our hot tub maintenance guide, or see our hot tub accessories for covers, steps and filters.

Safe storage

Keep chemicals sealed, dry and out of reach of children, away from direct sun. Never mix products together, and always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals.