How much dichlor (chlorine granules) for a 300 gallon hot tub

In a 300 gallon hot tub, 2 g of 56% dichlor granules raises free chlorine by 1 ppm. Going from 1 to 4 ppm after a soak takes 6.1 g (0.21 oz, about 1⅜ tsp). Weigh it on a kitchen scale if you can: scoops vary.

Dichlor doses for 300 gallons

300 US gallons (1,136 L). Teaspoon measures are approximate.
Free chlorineGramsOuncesApprox. measureCYA added
Raise 1 ppm2 g0.07 oz½ tsp+0.9 ppm
Raise 2 ppm4.1 g0.14 oz⅞ tsp+1.8 ppm
Raise 3 ppm6.1 g0.21 oz1⅜ tsp+2.7 ppm
Raise 4 ppm8.1 g0.29 oz1⅞ tsp+3.6 ppm
Shock 3 → 10 ppm (CYA 20)14 g0.5 oz1 tbsp+6.4 ppm

Run it with your numbers

gal

Not sure? Find your tub’s volume.

%
ppm

Fresh water: 0. Dichlor raises it about 0.9 ppm per 1 ppm of chlorine.

ppm
ppm

Set from your CYA until you change it. Hot tubs: 3 to 5 ppm (CDC minimum 3; many labels say not to soak above 5).

Add

0.21oz

of Dichlor granules 56%

6.1 gabout 1⅜ tsp by volume

Raises free chlorine from 1 ppm to 4 ppm in 300 gal.

  • Side effects: CYA +2.7 ppm, TA −1.1 ppm.
  • Also raises cyanuric acid (stabilizer). It only comes down by replacing water.
  • Run the jets with the lid open and wait at least 15 minutes (20 after pH decreaser) before anyone gets in.
  • Pour it slowly in front of a return jet with the pump running.

Check the product label. Strengths vary by brand, so enter the % printed on yours. Add one chemical at a time, into the water, and never mix chemicals.

Use dichlor for the first week or two until stabilizer reaches about 30 ppm.

Save this test and get a reminder before your next soak.

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About dichlor (chlorine granules)

Every 1 ppm of chlorine from dichlor also adds about 0.9 ppm of cyanuric acid. That is useful at first: stabilizer around 30 ppm protects chlorine in a hot tub. After roughly 33 ppm of chlorine’s worth of dichlor, switch to plain bleach so CYA stops climbing. That is the dichlor-then-bleach method.

Sprinkle dichlor into the water with the jets running and the cover open, and wait at least 15 minutes before soaking. Keep the container dry and closed; never mix it with other chemicals.

A 300 gallon tub

Inflatable tubs near this size include the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage 85" round (6 person) (290 gal) and the Intex PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe 86" square (6 person) (290 gal). 300 gallons is a common 4 to 6 person size. Two people soaking for 20 minutes typically use 1 to 3 ppm of chlorine; your log will show your own number after a couple of weeks.

Questions

How much chlorine granules for a 300 gallon hot tub?

2 g of 56% dichlor per 1 ppm. From 1 to 4 ppm: 6.1 g.

How long after adding chlorine can I get in?

Wait at least 15 minutes with the jets running, then test. Soak when free chlorine is 3 to 5 ppm and at least 7.5% of your CYA (bromine 4 to 6) and pH is 7.2 to 7.8, at least 15 minutes after adding anything (20 after pH decreaser); after chlorine, bromine or a shock, test again first. Above 5 ppm chlorine or 6 ppm bromine, wait and retest in an hour or two; never soak above 10 ppm chlorine or 8 ppm bromine, or with pH below 7.0 or above 7.8. Below 3 ppm chlorine (4 bromine), add sanitizer first; at pH 7.0 to 7.2, raise pH first; with CYA above 40 ppm, drain and refill. Hot tub limits based on CDC guidance and EPA product labels.

Why switch from dichlor to bleach?

Dichlor adds stabilizer (CYA) every time. Once CYA reaches about 30 ppm, bleach keeps chlorine up without adding more.