Hot Tub Water Care Made Simple
The no-nonsense guide to keeping your hot tub water clean, safe, and crystal clear — from the team that tests water for Ottawa hot tub owners every day.
What Your Water Needs
Hot tub water care comes down to three things: sanitize, balance, and maintain. Do these consistently and your water stays clean, your equipment lasts longer, and your skin feels great.
1. Sanitize
Your sanitizer (chlorine or bromine) kills bacteria. You need a small, measurable residual at all times — typically 1-3 ppm for chlorine or 3-5 ppm for bromine. Test daily, add after every use, and shock weekly.
2. Balance
pH (target: 7.2-7.8) and total alkalinity (target: 80-120 ppm) keep your water comfortable and protect your equipment. Test at least twice per week. Unbalanced water causes skin irritation, foam, cloudiness, and equipment damage.
3. Maintain
Rinse your filters every 2 weeks with a garden hose. Deep clean monthly with a filter cleaner. Drain and refill every 3-4 months. These simple habits prevent 90% of water problems.
Reduce Chemicals by 60-80%
Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner uses plant-derived enzymes to continuously break down body oils, sweat, and lotions — the organic contaminants that make your sanitizer work overtime. The result: you use 60-80% less chlorine or bromine, your water feels softer, and people with eczema and sensitive skin can actually enjoy their hot tub.
Spa Marvel is not a sanitizer — you still need a small amount of chlorine or bromine. But it does the heavy lifting so your sanitizer has less work to do. We're an authorized Spa Marvel retailer and carry the full product line.
Atmosphere H2O Analysis
Bring a water sample to our Orléans showroom anytime — no appointment, no charge. We test pH, alkalinity, sanitizer, and more on the spot, and give you clear instructions on exactly what your water needs. This service is free for ALL hot tub owners, not just Atmosphere customers.
How Often to Do What
After Every Use: Add sanitizer, check water temperature
Weekly: Test pH and alkalinity, shock the water, wipe waterline
Every 2 Weeks: Rinse filter cartridge with a garden hose
Monthly: Deep clean filter with Spa Marvel Filter Cleaner or similar
Every 3-4 Months: Drain, flush plumbing (Spa Marvel Cleanser), refill, rebalance
Annually: Replace filter cartridge, inspect cover and equipment
Need Help With Your Water?
Bring a sample to our showroom — we'll test it free and tell you exactly what it needs.