What does your hot tub smell like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Fish<\/a><\/li>\n
- Rotten eggs<\/a>\n<\/li>
- Wet dog<\/a><\/li>\n
- Chemicals<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
- Mildew and mold<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ammonia<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sweet<\/a><\/li>\n
- Plastic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fishy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your hot tub smells fishy, there are several things that could be causing the smell. One of which includes chloramines, which is the combination of chlorine and ammonia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ammonia smell is a sign that the hot tub hasn\u2019t been adequately sanitized. And without proper sanitization, bacteria will begin to grow in your hot tub, causing it to smell like rotten fish or a pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another common cause of a fishy smell in your hot tub is algae growth. If you are relying on city water, fishy, musty, and earthy smells indicate an algae bloom has occurred, producing geosmin, the culprit behind the smell. Algae can also grow directly in your hot tub. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your water has low pH levels, this can also cause your hot tub to smell fishy. You can use a test strip to determine whether pH is the cause of the bad smell in your spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Note:<\/strong> a fishy smell may also be perceived as decaying\/rotten fish; fish pond; ammonia; musty; or earthy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to fix chloramines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the fishy smell in your hot tub is caused by chloramines, the best way to prevent it is by adding a chlorine-based shock
![\"Opens](\"https:\/\/hottubzone.com\/wp-content\/themes\/acabado-2\/img\/extlink.png\" "\\"Opens")
<\/a><\/strong> to the water to break down the chloramines.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou need to maintain an appropriate sanitizer level in your spa water. For chlorine sanitizers, maintain a level of 1-3 ppm. Meanwhile, for bromine sanitizers, maintain a level of 3-5 ppm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to fix an algae bloom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To fix an algae bloom and eliminate the musty smell in your hot tub, you\u2019ll have to shock your hot tub with a chlorine-based shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way to fix an algae bloom is by cleaning the filters and circulating the water regularly. In addition, you should change the filters regularly. Dirty filters cause algae to build up, which can lead to a musty smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotten eggs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The smell of rotten eggs in your hot tub is most likely caused by hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). Hydrogen sulfide gas is not harmful; however, the smell can be quite noxious. It is caused by decaying organic matter or by bacteria called biofilm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biofilm may be present in your hot tub water but is more likely in the plumbing and equipment. So, you want to ensure the dead animal smell is coming from your spa and not from your drains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organic matter can come from various sources. For instance, when we get into the hot tub, we introduce all sorts of organic matter, such as oils and dead skin cells. Additionally, when you leave your lid off for a while, bugs and plant life can enter your spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another cause of the dead animal smell is the corrosion of metallic parts. When metals corrode, they release excess electrons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sulfur (sulfate ions, SO4-) in the water combines with these electrons and converts to sulfides (S) and hydrogen sulfide gas. This process is known as a sulfate-reduction reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Note:<\/strong> a rotten egg smell may also be perceived as sulfur; cabbage; stinky feet; dead animal; or sewage-like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to fix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To eliminate the rotten egg smell in the hot tub water, change the water every 3 months and use this Ahh-Some line flush
<\/a><\/strong> to clean out any biofilm lurking in the pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Note:<\/strong> a rotten egg smell may also be perceived as sulfur; cabbage; stinky feet; dead animal; or sewage-like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Ammonia<\/a><\/li>\n
- Rotten eggs<\/a>\n<\/li>