why does my hot tub smell like mildew?

Posted by on . 7 comments.


I am running baqua spa in my hot tub and it smells like mold or mildew. We have replaced the filter and emptied and refilled the tub. Within a week or two it begins to smell. What can we do? When you get out of the tub the smell says on our bodies. The water is clear and looks fine but has a strong odor.



Comments

  1. Eason W says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    Use some bleach so it will b sanitized.

  2. Joanne A. W says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    Check this out:
    http://www.hintsandthings.com/garden/hot_tub_maintenance.htm

  3. fae says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    You have put something in the filter that is causing this bacterial action, probably whatever this "baqua" stuff is! and causing growth of some awful mold in the name of "healthfull bacteria" sales pitch!!. Check out the filtration system and clean it out. Good luck.PS went to SpaPartsNet.com and copied this for you-
    "This is purely a problem with your chemical system – not Sundance or any other spa brand problem – whilst these products are sold as a ‘healthy’ option to chlorine, they rarely work correctly for many people in practice. For my money (particularly for SD) i’d fit a CD ozonator to run 24hrs a day and add minimal chlorine – works for most people very effectively".

  4. brainstorm says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    This is because of the bacteria in the tubes. These are very dangerous to health and can give you Legionnaires Disease.
    The tubs are ahealth hazard unless you sterilise them at least once a week by running sterilising fluid through the tubes. It should be in the instruction book.

  5. Michael B says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    White vinegar is good for removing mouldy smells (I use it in our washing machine). The mould accumulates in the waste and overflow pipes. Run the tub, but don’t fill it or you’ll dilute the vinegar too much. When the water is hot. let most of it out, then add a bottle of white vinegar. Leave it for about ten minutes before letting it drain away as slowly as possible – partially blocking the outlet will do it. Then refill with hot water and drain as normal.

  6. eskie lover says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    I use Bacqua spa too but have noticed that if you buy the "new" sanitizer being sold at the Hot Springs dealerships, it has a musty smell, too. I also bought new filters, cleaned all my jets, emptied and refilled the tub, too. I didn’t realize until we went to put the sanitizer in where that smell came from when it hit me like a ton of bricks. Since we just emptied out the tub and invested in buying new cartridges, I added spa fragrance which seemingly is controlling the smell until we do another complete water and chemical change again in a couple of months. (You can also add borax or baking soda in small amounts too, without affecting your balances). I’m going back to the Baqua spa sanitizer and won’t use another knock off even if it is cheaper!

  7. DARRIN O says:
    September 7, 2009 at 8:31 am

    Friend of mine used to put 2 cups of bleach in his tub every week, and nothing else, and his water was always perfect, but it must be running when you add it.

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