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Spa & Hot Tub Troubleshooting

Welcome to the Sirona Solution Center, your comprehensive resource for spa care. Simply click the problem you’re experiencing from the links below and we’ll help you give your spa the care it needs. If you need specialized attention, please contact your local authorized Sirona Spa Care Dealer.

Possible Cause: Total alkalinity or pH out of balance

Solution: Test water and adjust total alkalinity and pH as necessary using Sirona Spa Up, Sirona Spa Down or Sirona Alkalinity Up.

Preventative Maintenance: Maintain a pH of 7.2 – 7.8 and total alkalinity of 80 – 120 ppm.


Possible Cause: Chloramines or excessive organic contaminants

Solution: Shock oxidize with Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer. If using the Sirona Simply system treat with Sirona Simply Oxidizer non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Check and adjust sanitizer level.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer weekly.

Possible Cause: A buildup of bacteria, debris or other contaminants.

Solution: Shock oxidize with Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Check and adjust sanitizer level.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer weekly.

Possible Cause: Water out of balance

Solution: Check water balance with Sirona Test Strips and adjust as necessary.

Preventative Maintenance: Keep your spa water balanced by making sure it is within the following recommended ranges: pH 7.2-7.8, total alkalinity 80-120 ppm and calcium hardness 150-400 ppm.


Possible Cause: High mineral content in water

Solution: Treat spa water with Sirona Defend (2 fl. oz. per 800 gallons).

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Defend weekly to prevent scale formation, aid in the removal of existing scale and to help prevent precipitation of dissolved solids in spas or hot tubs.

Possible Cause: Oils, lotions and detergents from spa users have caused buildup

Solution: Clean scum line with a spa surface cleaner. Use 1 fl. oz. Sirona Natural Clear Enzyme Clarifier per 250 gallons of water.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Natural Clear Enzyme Clarifier weekly.

Possible Cause: High iron or manganese content

Solution: Add Sirona Prevent to sequester minerals in the water. Check pH level.

Preventative Maintenance: Test pH and total alkalinity and maintain proper levels. Sirona Prevent should be used each time the spa is filled.

Possible Cause: Dissolved copper or iron in spa water

Solution: Add Sirona Prevent to sequester minerals in the water. Check pH level.

Preventative Maintenance: Test pH and total alkalinity and maintain proper levels. Sirona Prevent should be used each time the spa is filled.

Possible Cause: Total alkalinity or pH out of balance

Solution: Test water and adjust total alkalinity and pH as necessary using Sirona Spa Up, Sirona Spa Down or Sirona Alkalinity Up.

Preventative Maintenance: Maintain a pH of 7.2 – 7.8 and total alkalinity of 80 – 120 ppm.


Possible Cause: Dirty filter

Solution: Use Sirona Spray & Rinse Filter Cleaner on a monthly basis or deep clean with Sirona Filter Cleaner.

Preventative Maintenance: Clean filter with Sirona Filter Cleaner on a monthly basis.


Possible Cause: Calcium too high

Solution: Treat spa water with Sirona Defend (2 fl. oz. per 800 gallons).

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Defend weekly to prevent scale formation, aid in the removal of existing scale and to help prevent precipitation of dissolved solids in spas or hot tubs.


Possible Cause: Excessive organic contaminants or lack of sanitizer

Solution: Shock oxidize with Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer. If using the Sirona Simply system treat with Sirona Simply Oxidizer non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Check and adjust sanitizer level.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer weekly.


Possible Cause: Buildup of unfilterable material

Solution: Use Sirona Spa Clarifier (2 fl. oz. per 800 gallons). Its unique polymer action neutralizes and removes dirt, soap, oily films and suspended particles to create clean, fresh water.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Spa Clarifier weekly.

Possible Cause: Low sanitizer level

Solution: Shock oxidize with Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer. If using the Sirona Simply system, treat with Sirona Simply Oxidizer non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Check and adjust sanitizer level.

Preventative Maintenance: Maintain a sanitizer level of 3-5 ppm.

Possible Cause: Buildup of body oils, cosmetics and detergents from bathers

Solution: Add Sirona Foam Out. Shock oxidize with Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer. If using the Sirona Simply system, treat with Sirona Simply Oxidizer non-chlorine shock oxidizer. Check and adjust sanitizer level.

Preventative Maintenance: Use Sirona Activate Granular non-chlorine shock oxidizer weekly.


Possible Cause: Calcium hardness is too low

Solution: Add Sirona Calcium Booster to obtain 150-400 ppm calcium level in the water.

Preventative Maintenance: When adding make-up water or freshly filling the spa, have the calcium level tested.


Possible Cause: Large amount of total dissolved solids

Solution: Change spa water.

Preventative Maintenance: Drain and refill water at least once every 90 days.

Welcome to Sirona® Solution Center, your comprehensive resource for all things related to hot tub troubleshooting and spa troubleshooting. Go through the common problems listed below, click on the ones relevant to you, and you will find expert advice on spa and hot tub care.

Spas and hot tubs are a great way to unwind and relax. But like all appliances, they also face problems from time to time. Learning hot tub and spa troubleshooting will help you easily identify the problems and quickly solve them.

At Sirona Spa Care, our mission has always been to help deliver memorable spa experiences. We do that through a world-class range of products such as spa chlorine and spa sanitizers, spa and hot tub stabilizers, hot tub cleaning supplies, and chlorine and bromine-free spa chemicals.

But we also know the importance of empowering owners with relevant insights and actionable advice. This guide to hot tub troubleshooting and spa troubleshooting will help you identify the cause of the problem and do the needful to solve it effectively. You can click on the symptom and find its possible cause, discover a practical solution, and know what you can do in preventative maintenance.

With this guide to hot tub and spa troubleshooting, you will have the necessary knowledge to manage things independently. You will know what causes a particular problem, how to solve it, and how to prevent it from reappearing.

Sirona Spa Care has a range of advanced spa care products and hot tub chemicals. Safe, effective, and simple, these allow you to create refreshing waters. Find your nearest hot tub supply store to get the right product to keep your spa and hot tub clean, hygienic, and safe today!