Prepare Equipment
First, flush your plumbing system and clean your spa,
filter, and cover:
Repeat with each spa water change, or every 60-90 days. |
Supplies needed:
- Spa plumbing
system cleaner
- Spa non-foaming
all-surface cleaner
- Clean filter
cartridge (have 2 on hand for rotation method)
 Filter
Replacement Guide
- Filter cleaning
compound
Filter
Cleaner
- Spa cover
protectant
- Spa shell acrylic
polish & sealer
|
Procedure:
- Remove
filter(s) and flush your
plumbing system with a Spa System Flush. Drain spa water.
| Important: Prior to draining, we recommend flushing your hot tub's
plumbing system with
a
spa system flush to maintain the
cleanest possible spa. If your spa has been dormant for awhile, this
is especially helpful in removing debris & organisms from the plumbing
system. |
- Reinstall filter cartridge (rotate with
a clean, dry spare).
Note:
Replace if more
than 1 year old.
See our
Filter page for new filters.
- Clean tub shell and cover with Clean
All spa all surface cleaner. Repeat weekly or as needed.
| Note: common household
cleaners should be avoided as they can cause foaming problems and alter
pH balance. |
- Note: never use car wax on a spa shell.
-
Important: If your
cover is waterlogged or
worn-out, it should be
replaced.
- Spa is now ready for refilling with
fresh water.
- Repeat these procedures with each water
change.
- Proceed with initial water balance.
Protect your investment with a
beautiful new Spa Cover
A cover which is tattered or waterlogged means
trouble! Not only will the reduced insulating capacity cost you
wasted energy dollars, a smelly old cover will harbor harmful
microorganisms which will contaminate your spa water. Now is a good
time to replace that old spa cover!
Custom Hot Tub Covers |
 |
|
|
Balance & Treat Water
Now test & adjust TA, pH,
hardness to prepare water for
 Sanitizer
System of your choice:
Drain and replace spa water every 60-90 days,
depending on usage. |
|
Supplies needed:
3-way
Test Strips --type needed depends upon
Sanitizer
System
Club
Pro non-chlorine shock
pH
Buffer/Alkalinity Increaser raises TA and
pH which is too low
pH
Decrease lowers pH which is too high
pH
Increase (optional) strongly raises very
low pH
Stain, Scale, Metal Control
Scum
Gone enzyme scum digester -
water clarifiers
Leisure
Time oil scum out
pH
Proper helps to lock in pH |
pH Range
 |
Procedure:
- Begin filling hot tub spa with fresh
water.
- When about half full, add stain &
scale preventer and clarifying agents per label instructions.
- When full, check water with
3-way test strips. Check first for Total Alkalinity, and then for
pH. Adjust as necessary using Alkalinity Increase or pH Decrease, as
follows:
| Adjusting
Total Alkalinity (TA):
The ideal range is 80-120 PPM
If below 60 PPM, add
pH Buffer/Alkalinity Increaser until a TA reading of about 100-120 PPM
is reached.
If above 180,
add pH Decrease until a reading of about 120-140 PPM is attained.
Notes: TA which
is on the high side is less of a problem than TA which is bit too low.
Make sure to allow time for the adjusting chemicals to equilibrate in
the spa water before taking measurements.
Adjusting pH:
The ideal
range is 7.2 - 7.8 per diagram above (see
 pH Range)
Now check for proper
pH level. Adjusting TA will very often bring pH into line.
If below 7.2, add more
pH Buffer/Alkalinity Increaser until a reading of about 7.4 is reached.
pH Increase may also be used, especially if both pH and TA are very low,
but keep in mind that both pH Increase and pH Buffer/Alkalinity Increaser will also
raise TA, so if TA is already high, you should use Easy pH, which will
significantly raise only the pH.
If above 7.8, add pH
Decrease until a reading of about 7.6 is reached.
Once pH adjustments
have been made, you can lock pH into perfect balance by adding pH
Proper. Often no need for further adjustments until the next water
change!
Remember:
pH which is a little on the high side is much less of a
problem than pH which is too low (acidic). Low pH causes harmful
corrosion; high pH can contribute to scale formation, but that is much
less of a problem than corrosion. Properly balanced water will also
have a better feel on the skin and allow your sanitizer to perform. |
- Test for calcium hardness with test
strips. Add Hardness Increaser to about 150 PPM if too low. Low hardness
can cause corrosion of equipment, and foaming problems.
- Circulate water and allow time for it
to equilibrate before retesting.
- Optional: After balancing TA & pH, add
pH Proper according to directions on label. This will lock-in your water
balance until next draining. (Not recommended if your water hardness is
above 400-500 PPM as this product may cause high calcium levels to
precipitate out of the water and cause cloudiness).
Note: If you have added Hardness Increase, wait a day before adding
pH Proper.
- Add non-chlorine shock according to
label directions (generally about 1 1/2 - 2 oz. per 500 gallons). 2
tablespoons = approx. 1 1/2 oz.
- Run spa at least 3-6 hours
daily to filter water and distribute
sanitizer.
- Replenish clarifier and/or scum
digester products weekly or as needed, per label directions.
- Always add each chemical to the spa
water one at a time-- NEVER mix them together.
- Test spa water weekly and readjust if
needed.
- Read and follow all label directions
and cautions.
- Proceed with sanitizer.
|
Initiate Sanitizer
Last but not least, setup your
water purification choice:
Bromine
-or-
Nature2
NOTE:
Directions for
each of the 2 different systems we recommend are shown below. For help in
choosing the right sanitizer for your spa, see
 Spa
Sanitizer Comparison Guide |
|
 |
Bromine System
Nature2
Conventional Tablet Sanitizer
Bromine tablets are
placed in a floating dispenser which releases a metered amount of
sanitizer into the spa as the water circulates. |
|
|
Additional supplies
needed for Bromine system:
Bromine
tablets sanitizer
Floating
Tablet Dispenser (adjustable type)
Granular
bromine to establish an immediate bromine
bank
3-way
Test Strips
(you may use either Bromine
3-Way Test Strips -or- Universal Test Strips which also include the hardness
test.) |
Bromine Procedure:
- Drain and prep your equipment as
described
above.
- Test water balance with Bromine 3-way
Test Strips as described
above.
(Universal Test Strips may be substituted, which also include the Hardness
Test)
- Add Granular Bromine (1 teaspoon per
200 gallons of water). This establishes an immediate bromine reserve.
- For bromine system, next load 3-4
bromine tablets in adjustable bromine float (refer to adjustment
instructions that came with your float).
- Bromine level may be tested after
several hours with spa circulating. Ideally, maintain a level of 3-5 PPM
using test strips. Do not allow to fall below 3 PPM.
- Shock periodically with Club Pro
non-chlorine shock, per label directions-- generally about 1 1/2 - 2 oz.
per 500 gallons. (2 tablespoons = approx. 1 1/2 oz).
- Test weekly.
Get our
Bromine
Pro Starter Kit at a very special price.
Includes step-by-step instruction card!
Spa
Sanitizer Comparison Guide |
|
 |
Nature2 System
Bromine
Alternative Odor-Free Cartridge Sanitizer
The Nature2 spa
purifier fits inside your spa filter cartridge. The unit
sanitizes by releasing a small amount of minerals into the hot tub water
during circulation and lasts for 4 months. |
|
|
Additional supplies
needed for Nature2 system:
Nature2
sanitizer
Dichlor
for startup and occasional shocking
Nature2
3-way Test Strips for testing TA & pH (also
gives MPS shock level) |
Nature2 Procedure:
- Drain and prep your equipment as
described
above.
- Refill spa and add 1 teaspoon Dichlor
Granular Chlorine or 3 tablespoons Oxy Spa - potassium monopersulfate -
non-chlorine shock per 250 gallons.
- Test water balance with MPS 3-way Test
Strips as described
above.
- Run spa at least 4 hours daily.
- Add 1 tablespoon Club Pro Non-Chlorine
Shock per 250
gallons, before each use.
- Add 3 tablespoons Club Pro Non-Chlorine
Shock, once a week, or as needed per Nature 2 test strips indications.
- Occasional shocking with Dichlor
granular chlorine will help when hazy water due to high bather loads is a
problem.
- For exceptional water quality, use the oil scum
remover.
- Read instruction sheet packed with unit
before using.
- Replace every 4 months.
Get our
Nature2
Pro Starter Kit at a very special price.
Includes step-by-step instruction card!
Spa
Sanitizer Comparison Guide |
ABCs of
Water Chemistry
