Chemical Additions- Water Quality FAQ

• 150–200 gallons (very small spas – 1 to 3 people)
• 200–250 gallons (under 6 foot spas – 3 to 4 people)
• 250–300 gallons (6–7 foot spas)
• 300–450 gallons (7–8 foot spas)

• Shot: 1 shot = 1.5 oz liquid
• Cap: 1 cap = full cap from standard 2# container
• ½ cap = half of standard cap
• ¼ cap = quarter of standard cap
• Tablespoon: 1 T = 1 tablespoon
• ½ T = half tablespoon
• Teaspoon: 1 tsp = 1 teaspoon (3 tsp = 1 T)

• Use either chlorine or bromine—never both
• Double the bromine dosage compared to chlorine
• High sanitizer levels may bleach test results and affect alkalinity readings
• Chlorine tablet guide:
  • 1 tablet: 150–200 gal
  • 2–3 tablets: 200–300 gal
  • 3–4 tablets: 300–450 gal
  • Use more than 4 only for heavy use or problem spas
• Bromine tablet guide:
  • 2 tablets: 150–200 gal
  • 3–5 tablets: 200–300 gal
  • 4–7 tablets: 300–450 gal
• If chlorine is over 10 ppm, add thiosulfate
• If chlorine is 1.0 ppm or less, add granular chlorine
• If bromine is 2.0 ppm or less, add granular bromine

• 1 tsp chlorine: 150–250 gal
• 1 T chlorine: 250–450 gal
• 2 tsp bromine: 150–250 gal
• 2 T bromine: 250–450 gal
• If the spa is cloudy, contact the office before adding

Target pH: 7.4 – 7.6

• To increase pH:
  • ½ cap: 150–250 gal
  • 1 cap: 250–450 gal
  • Double dose if pH is below 7.0
• To decrease pH:
  • 1 tsp: 150–250 gal
  • ¼ cap or 1 cap from 24 oz bottle: 250–450 gal
  • Double dose if pH is above 8.0

• To increase:
  • ½ cap: 150–250 gal
  • 1 cap: 250–450 gal
  • Double if under 50 ppm
• To decrease (if over 180 ppm):
  • 2 tsp pH decreaser: 150–250 gal
  • ½ cap pH decreaser: 250–450 gal
• Use 1–2 caps of pH increaser to rebalance

• Shock treatment:
  • 1 oz/week: 150–250 gal
  • 2 oz/week: 250–450 gal
  • Double for combined chlorine or bromine
  • Triple if spa is cloudy
• Scale preventor: 1 shot weekly
• Foam out:
  • ½ tsp/week: 150–250 gal
  • 1 tsp/week: 250–450 gal
• Enzyme treatment:
  • ½ cap/week: 150–250 gal
  • 1 cap/week: 250–450 gal
  • Double if jets cause foaming
• Clarifier: 1 shot weekly for all spas
• Water level:
  • Top off water at each visit
  • Report if temperature is over 104°F
  • If over 106°F, add cold water or remove hot water

Symptoms: cloudy, smelly, brown/green/yellow water

• For 150–250 gal:
  • 2 T granular chlorine or 1 cap bromine
  • 1 shot clarifier
  • Clean filter
  • 4 oz activate
  • 2 caps natural clear
• For 250–450 gal:
  • 1.5 caps chlorine or 2 caps bromine
  • 2 shots clarifier
  • Clean filter
  • 6 oz activate
  • 2 caps natural clear