Why you Should Use the Water Test App from Canadian Spa

Phil Piggott

Hot tub water chemistry is the part of ownership most new owners worry about — and the part that becomes effortless once you have a system for it. The free Canadian Spa Water Test app removes most of that worry by telling you exactly how much of each chemical to add, when, and at what point to test again. It works with any make or model of hot tub, and it’s available free on both Apple App Store and Google Play.

Why use the Water Test app

The app does three things that paper test strips and a calculator on the kitchen counter struggle with:

  • Exact dosing for your spa. Chemical maths depends on water volume, current readings and what you’ve already added — the app handles all of it and gives you a precise dose.
  • Country-specific recommendations. Different chemicals are widely available in different markets, and the app filters its suggestions to what’s actually on shelves where you live.
  • A built-in start-up guide. First-fill chemistry is the trickiest stage of ownership — the app walks you through the order of operations the first time, so you don’t end up with cloudy water on day three.

It’s free, takes a few minutes to set up, and once configured it removes the stress of “have I dosed this correctly?” from your weekly routine.

What’s in the app

The full feature list:

  1. Set your home country location — the app filters chemical recommendations to products available in your market.
  2. Chemical products available in your location are then shown so dosing recommendations match what you can actually buy.
  3. Select your Canadian Spa model from the list, or choose ‘Other’ and enter the water capacity of your spa manually.
  4. Confirm whether you have a UV system — sanitiser dosing differs slightly for UV-equipped spas.
  5. Step-by-step Start Up Guide for new spa setup or after a full water change.
  6. Water Test Centre — match your physical test strip readings to the in-app colour chart.
  7. Hit TEST to see exact recommended chemical amounts to add to the water.
  8. Direct access to our Service Portal for ongoing support resources.
  9. Raise a support ticket directly from the app if you need help.
  10. Back Garden Delivery form for sending site information ahead of a new spa delivery.
  11. Upload water test results to our service team for additional guidance if your readings are unusual.

How to use it on a typical week

The app works best when you build it into a simple weekly routine:

  1. Open the app once a week (a fixed day works best — Sunday morning before the first soak of the week is popular).
  2. Use a fresh test strip dipped into the spa per the strip instructions.
  3. Match the strip colours to the in-app Water Test Centre and tap the matching colour for each parameter (Free Chlorine / Bromine, pH, Total Alkalinity, etc.).
  4. Hit TEST. The app gives you exact amounts of each chemical to add, in grams or millilitres.
  5. Add the chemicals as instructed, run the spa for the recommended circulation time, and re-test if needed.

Most owners do this in 5–10 minutes and find their water is more consistently balanced than it ever was with paper instructions and guesswork.

Setup tips for new owners

  • Set the country first. The chemical recommendations only make sense once the location is set; otherwise you’ll get suggestions for products you can’t easily find in the UK.
  • Get the water capacity right. If you’re using ‘Other’, your spa’s manual or a quick measurement gives you the exact litre count. The app’s dosing depends on this number.
  • Tick UV if you have it. UV-equipped spas use less sanitiser; ticking the box adjusts dosing accordingly.
  • Use fresh test strips. Old, damp or expired strips give bad readings and the app will dose against bad data. Replace your strip pot every 6 months and keep the lid tightly closed.
  • Use the Start Up Guide on first fill — it walks you through alkalinity, pH and sanitiser in the right order. Reading sequence matters for water that goes clear and stays clear.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Water Test app actually free?

Yes — free to download and free to use. There’s no subscription, no premium tier, no in-app purchases.

Does it work with non-Canadian Spa hot tubs?

Yes. Select ‘Other’ as your model, enter your spa’s water capacity, and the app will dose correctly for any acrylic hot tub or swim spa.

Which chemicals does it recommend?

Chemicals available in your selected country. In the UK that’s typically chlorine or bromine sanitisers, pH up/down, alkalinity increaser, and shock treatments. Browse our filter and water care range for the consumables it’ll recommend.

Can I keep historical test results?

Yes — the app stores your test history so you can see how your water chemistry has trended over time. Useful if your spa is running a holiday let with multiple users, or if you’re trying to diagnose a recurring issue.

What if my readings don’t match anything in the app?

You can upload the test result directly to our service team via the in-app upload function. They’ll reply with guidance on what’s likely going on and how to bring the water back into range.

Is it safe to dose chemicals based on the app alone?

Yes for normal owner use, provided you set the spa volume correctly, use fresh test strips, and follow the dosing recommendations as given. As with any chemicals, store them safely, keep out of reach of children, and follow the safety guidance on each product label.

Download the app

Available free for iPhone and Android — search “Spa Water Test” by Canadian Spa, or use the badges below:

Download Spa Water Test on the App Store

Get Spa Water Test on Google Play

The simplest way to keep your water right

Hot tub water chemistry isn’t complicated when you have a system for it. The Water Test app gives you that system — country-specific dosing, model presets, exact amounts, and a direct line to the support team if anything looks unusual. Pair it with our water care and filter range and a regular weekly routine, and balanced water becomes one of the easiest parts of ownership rather than one of the most worrying.

UK Spa Buying and Ownership Guide

After reading Why you Should Use the Water Test App from Canadian Spa, many customers ask the same practical questions: what hot tub size fits best, how much does a hot tub cost to run, and which model gives the best long-term value in UK weather. The right answer normally comes from comparing insulation quality, jet layout, seating comfort, and ongoing maintenance support, not just headline price.

Canadian Spa Company UK supplies hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, replacement hot tub covers, filters, chemicals and accessories with nationwide delivery. If you are planning to buy a hot tub UK homeowners use year-round, shortlist models by intended use first: daily recovery, social entertaining, or family wellness. Then compare power requirements, cover quality, and service access so ownership stays simple over time.

For clearer next steps, use the links below to compare ranges, check current hot tub prices UK buyers are paying, and book support when needed.

Back to blog