Last Updated on July 27, 2022 by Shain Jorgensen
If you have both a spa and a swimming pool, a quick glance at the labels on your chemicals may have you wondering why you can’t use them interchangeably. After all, their contents are nearly identical. What can it hurt if you’re in a pinch and need to treat your spa but only have pool chemicals on hand?
Are pool and spa chemicals the same? The answer to this question is no. There are several reasons why the answer is no, which we will explain in this article. The consequences this will have on equipment and bathers are not worth the apparent quick fix. Here are some reasons why pool and spa chemicals are not the same and why they should be used for their intended purpose.
1. Pool And Spa Have Different Accommodating Capacity
A typical spa seats three people, whereas a swimming pool can accommodate 100 people. The amount of water each holds determines the amount of chemical dilution each requires. While the chemical components are very similar, a closer look at the ingredient list reveals that the concentrations are very different.
As a result, if you try to add pool chemicals to your spa, the water chemistry levels will become completely unpredictable. On the contrary, you can add every drop of your spa chemicals to your swimming pool, and the pH levels would likely remain unchanged.
2. Pool And Spa Have Different Recommended Temperature
A swimming pool’s recommended temperature is 85 degrees, while spas range from 90 to 104 degrees. Pools and spas face different challenges that chemicals must address due to the temperature difference. Because the steamy water in a hot tub is ideal for bacterial growth, sanitizer is an essential component of the chemical makeup required for a hot tub.
Chemical reactions occur much more quickly and vigorously at higher temperatures. As a result, adding highly concentrated swimming pool chemicals to your small hot tub is hazardous to both the bathers and the hot tub.
3. Spa Jets Cause More Stir Than Pool Jets
While both pools and hot tubs have circulation jets, hot tubs have more jets per square foot. The jets’ constant circulation of water, delivering relaxing massages, and bubbling with steam, is part of the spa experience. Pool jets also circulate the water, keeping it from becoming completely stagnant. Still, you won’t notice them unless you’re next to them.
Hot tubs quickly stir up chemicals due to the way they stir up the water. Introducing highly concentrated pool chemicals into a hot tub quickly creates a dangerous imbalance. Evaporation is also increased by the constant movement of water in hot tubs. The chemical reactions intensify as the spa loses water.
4. The Chemistry Of Pool And Spa Differs
It may be tempting to deplete your swimming pool supply throughout the year while the hot tub is still in use, but this is not recommended. To avoid dangerous chlorine and pH levels, swimming pool chemicals should not be used in a hot tub. Always test your water for calcium hardness, alkalinity, pH, and free chlorine. Maintaining proper water balance will extend the life of your pool’s mechanical components.
Conclusion
As you can see, the differences in chemical treatment between spas and swimming pools necessitate a difference in chemical treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about how to treat your pool or spa or general pool service, we are here to help.
In fact, you can cross that chore off your list by letting us handle your weekly or monthly maintenance as well as providing you excellent services on how to get your pool ready for summer in gilbert Arizona. Our custom pool designs for all budgets frequently include built-in spas or hot tubs, and we are well-versed in treatment options. PH Balanced Pool is here for all of your pool needs!
