Diagnose and Solve Issues Based Upon Hot Tub Water Colour

Nothing is more relaxing than stepping into a clean, clear and wonderfully warm hot tub. But that sense of relaxation can quickly disappear when you’re faced with a hot tub water disaster. Even if you are diligent in maintaining your hot tub, brand new water issues can arise occasionally, and some can be more visually shocking than others. Sometimes, an issue with balance, a chemical reaction or cleanliness can cause your hot tub water to turn from crystal clear to shockingly colourful. This guide will help you diagnose and solve issues based upon your hot tub water colour. 

Red or reddish-brown hot tub stains 

If you’ve noticed a reddish tinge to your water that tends to settle on the sides of your hot tub, chances are that you have metals dissolved in your hot tub water. Metal staining is usually the result of copper or iron deposits in your local water supply. Usually, your water will appear mostly as normal, and you’ll notice the discolouration on your spa. 

Metal in your water can cause permanent staining on your hot tub if you don’t remove it quickly and regularly. To prevent discolouration and staining, you’ll simply have to use spa stain remover when you refill your hot tub. This will sink and remove any metals and keep your tub looking brand new. Using Naturally Aqua Stain Prevent can stop any staining from being permanent. 

Brown hot tub water

Brown spa water can seem like a terrible sign. But, if your hot tub water is brown and has no reddish hue to it, chances are that your fill water is simply a bit dirty. If you’re filling your hot tub during a dry time when dirt and dust are likely to be contaminating your water supply, discolouration can happen before you even fill your tub. 

If your fill water is dirty or dusty, an easy solution is to add a filter to your fill hose. Popping a sock or filter on the end of your hose will prevent the majority of dirt from entering your hot tub, and will make it much easier to clarify your water when full. 

White discolouration or buildup in your spa

There are a few situations where you might discover that your hot tub has a “white” discolouration, either in the water or on the sides. If you’ve noticed a buildup of white, murky substance in your spa, there are two main causes. The first is minerals and calcium deposit. Many areas of the world have high calcium deposits. Over time this calcium can dissolve and become apparent in the water, or dry and become affixed to the sides. If you have a lot of calcium in your water supply, you may notice fine, chalky lines in otherwise clear water. You can easily remove calcium deposits by cleaning and filtering your spa. 

White, murky water can be more difficult to diagnose, because it is often caused by the lotions, oils and hair conditioners that bathers leave behind in the water. If you notice a filmy layer on top of opaque water, chances are that your hot tub just needs a good shock (and, that you should rinse your filters for good measure). 

White growths on your hot tub

In rarer cases, white water can be an indication that your hot tub has been invaded by white mold. White mold is very easy to identify. If you’ve noticed slimy, clumpy buildups, chances are that your issue is white mold. It can be very difficult to eliminate white mold completely, but the process is very simple. You’ll need to begin by shocking your tub and scrubbing every accessible part. Because white mold can grow from the tiniest amount,  you’ll need to clean and replace all of your hot tub accessories, including pillows. You’ll also need to replace your spa filter and treat your hot tub a few times to ensure the mold is gone. It can be a long process, but you can eliminate white mold from your tub with diligent effort and cleaning. 

Green hot tub water 

Green water is usually a sign that you have an algae infestation in your tub. If you’ve noticed that your spa has a green tinge, it is important to act fast. Algae in your hot tub is a nuisance, but one that can be treated with a few days of diligence. To eliminate algae, you’ll need to give your hot tub a shock, and clean your filters very thoroughly. Be sure to run your pump continually to treat and remove any lingering algae particles. If you’ve had an intense infestation, you may want to consider shocking twice and scrubbing down the sides of your hot tub to ensure there is no regrowth. 

To prevent algae infestations in the future, be sure to keep your hot tub balanced, sanitized, and clean at all times. 

One other cause for green discolouration can be a buildup of different minerals. Most mineral problems will not cause your water to have a green hue. But, depending on the colour of your hot tub and the potential for multiple problems, you should always be sure. You can confirm that your hot tub is green as a result of an algae infestation by feeling the sides of the tub. If there is a slightly slimy coating, you know that algae is your main concern. If not, you may want to consider clarifying your water. 

Pink hot tub water

It is easy enough to recognize green algae in the water. But did you know that pink algae is also something that can grow in your hot tub? If you’ve noticed a pink hue to your water or pink growths in your hot tub, chances are you’ve been infested by pink algae. If you have an infestation so bad that your hot tub actually appears pink, you have a lot of work ahead of you to get things back to normal. 

Pink algae is harder to eliminate than green algae, and the process takes a lot of diligence. You’ll need to intensely shock your spa, and follow up by using a purging product. We recommend that you also thoroughly scrub any exposed crevices. After this process, you’ll need to replace your filter and soak anything that was exposed to algae (for example, spa pillow) in bleach or shock. Pink algae is resilient and can regrow a colony with only a few remaining cells in your tub. 

Yellow hot tub water 

If you’ve noticed your water has a yellow tinge to it, you will be happy to know there is usually a simple cause and solution. Most of the time when hot tub water is tinged yellow, it is because the alkalinity in your water is too low. 

To confirm suspicions of low alkalinity, test your hot tub water. Once you’ve confirmed that low alkalinity is the problem, you’ll be able to rebalance your water quickly. It can be easy to ignore yellow tinged water when you know the issue is just one of chemical balance. But, it is important to keep in mind that alkalinity balance is essential for your hot tub. Low alkalinity can throw off the pH of your water, prevent your sanitizer from working correctly, and cause damage to your system over time. 

Other colourful surprises 

In this guide, we’ve listed some of the most common causes of discoloured hot tubs and water. If you’ve had trouble with discolouration in your spa, you should remember that your hot tub can be impacted by anything that the water is exposed to. Hair dyes, lotions, drinks, and fabric dye will all enter your hot tub water. When your spa has had a lot of use, discolouration can happen as a result of any of these things.

When you’re working to resolve an issue with a discoloured spa, make sure to shock and treat your water if your hot tub has had a lot of heavy use. You may be able to solve the problem by cleaning thoroughly. 

Getting your hot tub back to normal 

Nothing is better than a soak in a perfectly heated hot tub. Waking up to a colourful hot tub can be stressful and baffling if you’ve never encountered the issue before. If you’re having trouble with an oddly-coloured hot tub, don’t panic. If you take the time to diagnose, address and repair any issues with your water, you can have your spa back to normal in no time.