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Owning a hot tub doesn't require a lot of hard work. A few simple routines will keep your water sparkling clean and your hot tub in excellent condition.
Your Filter.
Your filter should be removed and sprayed with a garden hose regularly.
We recommend that you clean your spa's filter about once each month with a filter cleaning solution. Filter cleaning is important because dirt and debris trapped in your spa's filter can slow the flow of water and affect the performance of the spa. The process is simple: place the filter into a bucket with filter cleaning solution and allow the dirt and particles to float into the water. After soaking, the filter should be sprayed thoroughly again to remove any remaining dirt and cleaner fluid.
You may want to buy an additional filter to keep on hand. This way, you can allow your filter to soak, put the replacement filter in and use your hot tub right away.
Your Acrylic Shell.
It's a good rule of thumb to drain and clean your spa about once every three to four months. If you have an acrylic shell, it's simple to clean, and you can be assured that the non-porous surface won't allow dirt, soapy film, or germs to penetrate. Simply use a spa surface cleaner, and wipe the acrylic with a damp sponge or cloth. Never use an abrasive cleaner or a product that contains bleach.
Your Vinyl Cover.
Because your cover is exposed to the elements, it's a good idea to use a vinyl protector to extend its life and look. Clean your cover and apply protector each time you clean your spa's filter. Remember to use the cleaner only on the top of the cover; you won't want the cleaner to interfere with your water chemistry. To clean the under side, clean with a very mild detergent, fully rinse with a garden hose and air-dry.
Clean Water.
Even if you have an ozonator, you'll still need to use chemicals to kill bacteria and other germs that may be present in your hot tub's water. There are many options. Here is a basic list of chemical water treatments. Use only those recommended by your dealer for you spa:
Mineral Based Purifiers: These purifiers use cartridges that are placed inside spa filters and replaced once every three to four months. Spafrog, Pure Vision.
Chlorine Granules or Tablets: This is the most common and widely known water sanitizer. There are chlorine tablets and granules created specifically for spa use available at spa retailers.
Bromine Granules or Tablets: Bromine tablets are a combination of sodium bromide and chlorine. Many people choose bromine over chlorine, because the smell is not as strong.
Aquafinnesse or Aquagarde: AquaFinesse and Aquagarde are patented water care solutions that allow users to enjoy their hot tubs without the harsh effects of chemicals.
Recommended Hot Tub Care Maintenance Routine.
Daily :
Check sanitiser level & dose as required
Check pH level & dose as required
Clean water line with Waterline Cleaning Paste
Weekly:
Oxidise hot tub with Non Chlorine Shock or SpaGuard SpaLite.
Add No Foam to control foaming
If in area of high calcium hardness add Anti Scale to prevent scale deposits
Monthly:
Clean filter cartridge using Cartridge Cleaner or SpaGuard FilterBrite.
Periodically:
Due to the build up of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) the hot tub will need completely draining & refilling. There are no hard and fast rules as to when this should be done but the following formulation seems to work well in practise:
Hot tub litres divided by daily bathers divided by 12 = days between draining & refilling
Example : 1200 litres divided by 2 divided by 12 = 50 days.
Water Balance.
By balancing the water you are creating the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency & equipment protection. A number of factors are involved in balancing the water but the main areas are : Calcium Hardness, Total Alkalinity & pH
Calcium Hardness
This will vary depending on where you live and where your water supply comes from and it is very important that the correct level is established. As a guide soft water tends to be low in Calcium Hardness and hard water more obviously is high. The level should be checked each time you top-up or refill the hot tub with fresh water. The ideal Calcium Hardness level for hot tubs is between 100 - 200mg/l.
When it is below this level the water could be corrosive which could lead to damage of plant equipment such as the heater. If this is the case apply Hardness Increaser to achieve the correct level.
When it is above this level the water has a tendency to appear cloudy and also calcium can precipitate out and deposit itself on the tub shell finish, heater element, cartridge element & within pipework. If this is the case apply No Scale to achieve the correct level.
Total Alkalinity
TA acts as a buffer to prevent pH change and if the level is too low the pH will fluctuate widely, if too high pH adjustment will be difficult to effect.
The ideal Total Alkalinity for hottubs is between 125 - 150mg/l.
When it is below this level not only will pH fluctuate but the water could be corrosive, cause damage to equipment and be uncomfortable to bathers. Use Total Alkalinity Increaser to raise levels.
When it is above this level not only is pH difficult to adjust but also the water could be scale forming and clarity impaired. Use pH Minus to reduce levels.
pH Levels
Regular pH checks are an essential part of your tub maintenance routine using Test Strips.
The pH scale has a range of 0 - 14 with 0 being very acidic, 7 being neutral & 14 being very alkali. For tubs the ideal range is between 7.4 - 7.6, this being slightly alkaline to protect the hot tub and prevent equipment corrosion. This also provides the most comfortable conditions for bathers and good sanitiser efficiency.
If the level is below 7.4 use Soda Ash to raise the level.
If the level is above 7.6 use Dry Acid to reduce the level.
Sanitising
The sanitising of your hot tub water is necessary to kill bacteria and help in the prevention of algae growth. The level should be checked regularly using Test Strips and can be in the form of Chlorine or Bromine
Bromine
This is an effective hot water sanitiser and ideally suited to hot tubs.
It is effective over a wide pH range and has little odour.
Comes in tablet form making it easy to apply and avoids having to dose everyday.
The ideal Bromine level is between 3 - 6mg/l.
Chlorine
This is available in granule form which are rapid dissolving and therefore a good sanitiser.
It has little effect on the pH levels.
The ideal Chlorine level is between 3 - 5mg/l.
Oxidising
It is necessary to oxidise your hot tub weekly using Non Chlorine Shock.
It destroys odours and wastes such as perspiration, cosmetics and body oils.
Restores sparkle.
Increases bather comfort.
Hot Tub Speciality Products.
Other products also help keep your hot tub clean, clear and enhance your bathing pleasure.
Control of Foam
The rapid circulation & aeration of hot tub water can cause unsightly foam to appear on the waters surface especially when oils and lotions are within the water.
No Foam used regularly will prevent and control excess foaming.
If excessive foaming is a continuous problem drain the tub and refill with fresh water.
Ensuring Water Clarity.
Discolouration or cloudiness of the water is often caused by minute particles suspended in the hot tub water which are too small for the filtration system to remove.
Soaps, cosmetics, body oils and greases can all cause dull, cloudy water.
Encourage hot tub users to shower before getting into the hot tub to minimise these problems.
Clarifier used once a week will assist in the removal of suspended matter via the filtration system thus restoring and maintaining the water clarity.
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