To lower total chlorine in a hot tub, one effective method is to dilute the water with fresh water.
When your hot tub's total chlorine level is too high, it can make the water uncomfortable and potentially damage components over time. Fortunately, there are several straightforward ways to reduce the concentration back to the recommended range (typically 1-3 ppm for free chlorine, with total chlorine ideally close to free chlorine).
Dilution
According to reliable sources, one of the first things you can do is dilute the chlorine level in your hot tub water by topping it up with clean water. This process simply lowers the overall concentration of chemicals, including chlorine, in the tub.
Here’s how to do it:
- Drain a portion of the existing hot tub water.
- Refill the tub with fresh, clean water from your tap or hose.
- Give the water time to properly circulate, running the jets for a cycle.
- Test the chlorine level again.
- If you don't notice any decrease in the sanitizer levels, add more fresh water by repeating the drain and refill process until the desired level is reached.
Dilution is a simple, non-chemical way to make a significant impact, especially if the levels are extremely high.
Natural Dissipation
Chlorine naturally dissipates over time, especially when exposed to UV light and aeration.
- Sunlight: If your hot tub is outdoors, simply leaving the cover off on a sunny day can help break down chlorine faster.
- Aeration: Running the hot tub jets for an extended period introduces air into the water, which can also help speed up chlorine off-gassing.
Keep in mind that natural dissipation can take time, from several hours to a day or more, depending on the starting level and conditions.
Chemical Neutralizers
For faster results, you can use a chemical chlorine neutralizer, most commonly sodium thiosulfate.
- These products chemically react with chlorine, neutralizing it.
- Follow the product instructions carefully, as adding too much can deplete chlorine entirely and make it difficult to maintain a residual sanitizer level.
- Add small amounts at a time, circulate the water, and re-test before adding more.
Using a chemical neutralizer is the quickest way to drop chlorine levels rapidly, but requires careful dosing.
Summary of Methods
| Method | Description | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilution | Drain some water, add fresh water. | Moderate | Effective for high levels. Requires water usage. |
| Natural Dissipation | Leave cover off (sunlight) or run jets (aeration). | Slow | Easiest method but takes time. |
| Chemical Neutralizers | Add a specific chemical (e.g., sodium thiosulfate). | Fast | Requires careful dosing to avoid over-correction. |
Choose the method that best suits your situation, considering the urgency and your preference for physical vs. chemical solutions. Always re-test your water after taking action to ensure the chlorine level is within the safe and effective range before using the hot tub.
