How do I sanitize my hot tub after three squirrels died in it?

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I had the cover off for a few days and it rained. We had three squirrels die in the rain water. Needless to say the water is awful smelling and I am not sure I will ever be able to get in it again unless I am sure I killed all maggots and germs.. Now I just need help finding out how to sanitize the tub.



Comments

  1. Dr. Hot Tub Wilmington NC says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    Hello,

    Nice people are answering this question.

    Hondu…Please email me your email and info. I would love to have an attorney chat with you on your answer concerning just how much you can lose from it being a "top contributor"and giving very bad information that could potentially lead to a death.

    Sorry, but I get upset when people answer something they should not when they do not know what they are talking about possibly endangering someones life.

    1st. Fill your hot tub with water.
    2nd. I am going to assume your hot tub is 500 gal. capacity, If it’s less which I am sure it is, great!
    3rd. Lower your pH to 7.2-7.3.
    4th. Add 2.5#’s of Sodium Dicholor chlorine found at Home Depot, Lowe’s or your local (expensive) pool store.
    5th. Let it circulate for 2 hours, making sure you hit the jet button every twenty minutes so it circulates.
    6th. Drain the water.
    7th. Add 1/2 gal. of distilled vinegar and circulate for 2o minutes. Drain promptly.
    8th. Fill and drain once more with fresh water.
    9. Rebalance water and add sanitizer.
    10. Enjoy.

    11. Sue everyone that was trying to get you sick that already answered.

  2. K-Gee says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    You need to take a sample of the water into your local pool company, they will check it out for you and give you all the stuff you need to clean in up…think of it as your hot tub is sick and you are going to the pharmacist to get the right drugs for it.

  3. jetsfan5569 says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    sounds really gross to me. especially the part about the maggots.
    i would drain the water and refill with fresh and then shock the hell out of it

  4. Greg says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    Drain it, Clean it with bleach ( 2 parts bleach – 1 part water) be very thorough..then start over with fresh water. This will take care of germs. Maggots only feed on necrotic tissue, therefore they died of starvation when you took the squirrels out.

  5. Hondu says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    That same thing happened to me once. You should drain it, and wash it all down with a regular soap and bleach solution. Flush the system, pump, lines and filter housing with soap and bleach solution even if you have to refill more than once. Once you have everything washed up, install new filters and refill. The regular chlorine that is added to the hot tub water will take care of any lingering germs. If you are still uncomfortable after all that, then is the time to let the dealer talk you into purchasing a bunch of chemicals you probably don’t need.

  6. Tink says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    personally, I’d empty about 5 gallons of bleach into the tub, stopper and all, and fill the remainder of the tub with water. Let it sit again for 3 days then sit in the tub. No need for alarm the germs will go away in a matter of time. Just not your time! Behave and be patient!

  7. Greg says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:07 am

    how did the squirrels die?

    lysol? lol

    though um just curious and want to know how they died

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