kid's spa & hot tub problems & questions

Scroll down to browse through some archived SPA & HOT TUB questions and answers. Please access the Spa Topics Page and other links, at the top of every page, for additional information.

Apart from the obvious water safety factors, consideration should be given to sanitizer choices, water temperature and length of bathing time. Kids tend to spend a lot of time in the water and, ultimately, depend on the adults for the important matters of pool safety and water quality. Clicking on the underlined and highlighted "keywords" or "catch phrases," in the archived answers will give you access to additional information on that topic or product. Please refer to the Glossary, if there are terms or phrases that require explanation.

ColorQ All-Digital Water Analyzer

(Click on the Image for product & ordering information.)

More information about the ColorQ Water Analyzers can be found by clicking on the above image. This hand-held, digital tester requires no color matching or look up charts and performs the following tests: pH, Free & Total Chlorine, Bromine, Total Alkalinity, Hardness and Cyanuric Acid. Be better informed and avoid costly problems!

► Child-Friendly Choice?

We would like to allow our small child to go into our spa with us at a temperature around 89-92°F degrees. I have been told the best alternatives to using straight chemicals are a Mineral Purifier then a non-chlorine shock at exit. Do you have any opinion. Thank you.

Holli S, 5/9/2004

Mineral Sanitizers are products that sanitize by using metallic ions, such as silver. Just using a mineral sanitizer is not enough. To maintain proper spa water quality, you need to use an oxidization, as well. That is the purpose of the non-chlorine shock. So long as the product choice includes both capabilities, I see no problem. However, my own preference would be to use an ozonator and a mineral sanitizer. This way there's less shock treatment and there is built-in backup sanitizing. Maintaining a low free chlorine level, will help confirm that the ozonator and mineral sanitizer are maintaining proper conditions. It should take very little chlorine to maintain this low level. I hope that this information proves helpful.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 5/9/2004

► Spa Use By A Child?

My two year old daughter loves to get in the hot tub with my husband. I do not like it because he keeps it @ 105 degrees. It does not seem to bother her at all. She says "I love it." He is very careful not to let her stay in more than just a couple of minutes at a time. Should I worry about these brief moments with dad? Is it OK to let her stay longer if she wants to, and she does. Thanks.

Dawn, Atlanta, GA, 4/19/2004

I share your concern. Firstly, 105°F is above the recommended maximum of 104°F. Spa bathing recommendations are not written with a 2 year old in mind. Given the low body weight, the spa water can cause a fairly rapid rise in body temperature. Short bathing times, with less than full body immersion are probably a necessity. In any event, I suggest that you discuss this with a pediatrician, inasmuch as I am not really qualified to take part in the decision. Enjoy the spa.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 4/19/2004

► Houdini Act?

I just purchased my first home it has a pool and a spa. I let the pool guy take care of his end but I manage the spa levels. When I moved in the spa was full, with a Bromine Floater. I tested the water several times with a kit that was here when I moved in, 5 drops of yellow stuff, 5 drops of red stuff you know the kit. I always got very high bromine levels. Not sure if I was testing correctly I took a water sample to my local pool/spa supply "expert". I was advised by the "expert" to drain the spa and switch to chlorine, which I did. Now I filled the tub added the metal gone and then later the granulated chlorine. Tested the levels about 3 hours later and WAY too much chlorine. Took a sample to the "expert" and was advised to let the chlorine stabilize for a couple of days before adding any "spa-up or spa-down". Two days later I tested the water, pH normal, Chlorine, does not register. The chlorine side is as clear as the original sample. Like I never added the yellow stuff. Well I am not stupid. No yellow in the cylinder means MORE chlorine. Added more chlorine. Tested 2 hours later, the test results were way to much chlorine. Waited 2 days with no use of the spa and tested again. NO CHLORINE! But the pH is almost ideal. How often should I need to add chlorine to a spa that is set to 103°F But is only used once or twice a week? The spa is always covered and has minimal use. Should I ignore the local expert and switch back to the Bromine floater, or do I need to adjust my spa levels on a daily basis even though I use it on a bi-daily basis? One more question before I end this log winded, very confusing e-mail. I have a nine year old daughter who wants to enjoy the spa with me. I have been told by friends that have spa's that 103°F is too hot for someone her age. Is this correct? If so what is an ideal temperature for a child her age? Thanks for any help, Cold and confused,

Rob, 12/14/2004

If your pool and spa are separate and do not share common water supplies, I would prefer the use of bromine. It has less odor and allows for easier addition. There is nothing Houdini-like happening! The chlorine or bromine levels drop, if there is organic wastes present, such as after bathing. The test kit that you are using will suffice for bromine use, but it provides inadequate information, when chlorine is being used. I would prefer using a test strip, such as LaMotte Insta-Test, as it furnishes truer data on the state of the sanitizer level. You should test the water at least several times weekly, even if it is not being used. You don't want the sanitizer level to bottom-out, as it will made catch-up more difficult. If you use the floater with bromine, all you should require is pH increaser and, perhaps, a dose of shock after each use of the spa. If you would like assure even better water quality with less work and fewer chemicals, consider adding an ozone generator. This will allow the bromine to function in a back-up role and will reduce the chemical sensation. The body mass of your 9-year old daughter is far less than that of an adult. Immersion in 103°F water will cause the temperature of her internal organs to rise more quickly, than that of an adult. Hence, you should lower the temperature, reduce the bathing time and the extent of immersion or all of the preceding. In any case, I would defer to the good judgment of the family doctor or pediatrician. I hope that the information proves helpful. Enjoy the holidays.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 12/14/2004

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