If spa days are one of your most favorite pastimes, consider a salt water hot tub at home. Say goodbye to the smelly chlorine that leaves you feeling irritated (yet clean), and hello to the relaxing bubbles of a hot tub made of salt water.

There are many hot tub benefits and when you make the water salt water, you have even more to gain.

You can recreate the feelings you have at the best spa, in the comfort of your own home.

What Is a Salt Water Hot Tub?

As you probably guessed a salt water hot tub is a hot tub with salt, but there’s more to it than that. The salt water eliminates the need for chlorine, making it a safer and more eco-friendly option for your hot tub water.

A salt water chlorinator manually converts the salt to chlorine. It’s not the same as soaking in seawater, but it’s a different feeling than soaking in chlorinated water. The idea is the same – you relax in hot water, but without the harsh chemicals, you may feel and look better.

How Does a Salt Water Hot Tub Work?

It seems strange, right? Releasing salt in your hot tub rather than chemicals. But, if you think about it salt is a molecule of chlorine, as its scientific name is sodium chloride. But you don’t release salt directly into your hot tub water and automatically have salt water.

You need a chlorinator. This mechanism releases a little bit of electricity, which then releases the chloride molecules from the salt, creating chlorine the natural way. No more measuring chemicals and plugging your nose or burning your eyes as you pour the chlorine in the hot tub water.

You get the chlorine or sanitizing effect while being chemical free. The chlorinator is non-negotiable if you want a salt water hot tub. But again, don’t go thinking you’ll get a mouthful of water and come up feeling all salty like you do at the beach.

The ocean has 35,000 ppm of salt. The best hot tub levels are usually between 2,000 – 3,000 ppm of salt to be considered salt water.

Despite its much lower salt levels, salt water hot tubs have many benefits.

What Are the Benefits of a Salt Water Hot Tub?

Owning a swim spa can bring a lot of enjoyment to your backyard. Whether you’re just relaxing or seeking benefits from hydrotherapy, check out the other salt water hot tub benefits below.

What Are the Drawbacks of a Salt Water Hot Tub?

How to Convert to a Salt Water Hot Tub

Step 1: Empty Your Hot Tub.

You must start from scratch. Use a garden hose or pull the plug, empty the water, scrub and algae, clean and rinse the tub, flush the lines, and replace the filter cartridge.

Now is also a really good time to do some outdoor spa maintenance. Make sure you thoroughly clean the hot tub pump, spa jets, any vinyl liner either inside of your jacuzzi spa or outside for your hot tub cover.

Step 2: Add Clean Water.

After you’ve done the fun sanitation and routine hot tub maintenance, fill the tub back up with fresh water. Don’t forget to put any plugs back in.

Step 3: Test the Water.

Tap water has some saltiness to it. Test it so you know how much salt to put in when you convert it. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and properly use the correct water test strips to test your water-system.

Sale
Direct Pool and Spa Test Strips - 100 Strip Pack
Test for the following: Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Total Bromine, Total Alkalinity, pH, Total Hardness & Cyanuric Acid

Step 4: Test the Water Again.

This time run a salt water test for all levels including pH levels, alkalinity, and calcium in addition to salt. Make sure all levels are within the right parameters.

Step 5: Install the Chlorinator.

Make sure the wires have plenty of room to reach the GFCI groundfault circuit and that the chlorinator cell reaches the water. Connect the cables, but don’t plug the power cord in just yet.

Step 6: Put the Chlorinator in the Water.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions and place the chlorinator as far down in the hot tub as you can. The deeper you put the chlorinator, the more effective it will be.

Step 7: Plug the Chlorinator into the Outlet.

Once you have the chlorinator situated, plug it into the outlet. Read your manufacturer’s instructions for starting the unit to make sure you do it right. Make sure your saltwater system is set up correctly and safely.

Step 8: Run the Chlorinator for 24 Hours and Test Again.

Test the hot tub water after 24 hours to see if the levels are right. If you aren’t sure, bring a sample of the water to your local pool store. It’s important that the water is safe to swim in, which means properly chlorinated as well as pH balanced.

Should You Buy a Salt Water Hot Tub?

Is a saltwater hot tub better than a regular hot tub? It depends on your preferences. If you love the buoyancy of salt water combined with the fewer chemicals and eco-friendliness, then yes, it’s better. Both chlorine and salt water hot tubs have their pros and cons. Work with what’s best for your budget, health, and overall preferences.

Whichever path you decide, cheers to making your jacuzzi hot tub your own deluxe oasis!

Pricing on this page was last updated on 2025-05-15