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Everything you need, all in one place. Explore our expert services designed to keep your spa running smoothly and your experience stress-free.
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Boise, ID 83705
Mon-Sat: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 4:00PM
(208) 468-8827
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Meridian, ID 83646
Mon-Sat: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 4:00PM
(208) 468-8827
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Nampa, ID 83687
Mon-Sat: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 4:00PM
(208) 468-8827
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Twin Falls, ID 83301
Mon-Sat: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 4:00PM
(208) 468-8827
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Hailey, ID 83333
Mon-Fri: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat & Sun: Closed
(208) 726-8899
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Hot tub chemicals, made simple
Clean, comfortable water comes down to three jobs: sanitize, balance and maintain. Here's what each chemical does, the levels to aim for, and the products our Idaho water care team stocks.
What chemicals does a hot tub need?
Most hot tubs need the same basic kit:
- A sanitizer (bromine, chlorine, or a mineral or salt system) to kill bacteria.
- A shock or oxidizer to break down the oils, lotions and sweat that bathers leave behind.
- Balancers for pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness, so your sanitizer works and your equipment is protected.
- Test strips so you know what to add, and how much.
- Maintenance products such as filter cleaner, defoamer and stain & scale control.
Target ranges at a glance
| Level | Target |
|---|---|
| Bromine | 3–5 ppm |
| Free chlorine | 1–3 ppm (some systems call for up to 5) |
| pH | 7.2–7.8 |
| Total alkalinity | 80–120 ppm |
| Calcium hardness | Follow your spa's manual; many call for 150–250 ppm, salt systems often run lower |
These are common industry ranges. Your spa's owner's manual and your water care system's label come first, especially for salt and mineral systems.
Treasure Valley and Magic Valley water is often hard. Hard fill water carries extra calcium and minerals, which can leave scale on jets, heaters and the waterline and can push pH up. Many local owners rarely need a calcium increaser and more often need a stain & scale product or a calcium remover. A free water analysis tells you which. Get a free water analysis.
Products we carry
BioGuard® (including SpaGuard®) and FreshWater® water care. Pick these up in store at any of our five showrooms, and ask our water care team what fits your spa.
Chemical safety basics
- Add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals.
- Add one product at a time with the jets running and the cover open, and wait at least 20 minutes (or as the label directs) before adding the next.
- Never mix chemicals together, dry or wet, and never mix bromine and chlorine products.
- Store products sealed, cool, dry and out of reach of children and pets.
- Always read and follow the product label and your spa owner's manual.
Free water analysis
Bring a water sample to any of our five showrooms (Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Twin Falls or Hailey), or request a time, and our team will test your water professionally and tell you exactly what to add, and what not to.
Hot tub chemical FAQs
What are the basic chemicals I need for a hot tub?
A sanitizer (bromine, chlorine, or a mineral or salt system), a shock or oxidizer, pH and alkalinity balancers, and test strips. Most owners also keep filter cleaner and a defoamer on hand.
What order should I add hot tub chemicals in?
Test first. Adjust total alkalinity, then pH, then calcium hardness, and add sanitizer last. Add one product at a time with the jets running, and follow each label’s wait time.
How often should I test my hot tub water?
Two to three times a week with test strips, and after heavy use. Bring a sample to any Snake River Pool & Spa showroom for a free in-store water analysis whenever something looks off.
Can I use pool chemicals in my hot tub?
Use products made for spas. Pool products are dosed for far larger volumes and some, like pool chlorine tablets, can damage spa equipment and covers.
Do you test hot tub water for free?
Yes. Bring a water sample to any of our showrooms for a free water analysis, or request an appointment.
How often should I drain and refill my hot tub?
Typically every three to four months, or sooner if the water stays cloudy or foamy. Hard Idaho fill water and heavy use can shorten that.
Pick up chemicals at a showroom near you
Water care products and friendly advice in Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Twin Falls, plus our full-line Wood River Valley store in Hailey.
1340 S Orchard St
Boise, ID 83705
3490 E Tecate Ln
Meridian, ID 83646
16553 N Marketplace Blvd
Nampa, ID 83687
960 Blue Lakes Blvd N
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Boise · Meridian · Nampa · Twin Falls: Mon–Sat 10–6 · Sun 11–4 · (208) 468-8827