Run the filter several hours daily.
A proper maintenance schedule for spas depends largely on how often the spa is being used and by how many people. Follow the basic guidelines below for caring for your chlorinated spa.
Sanitise:
It is important to maintain adequate total bromine residuals. This varies depending on the product you are using.
Brominating Tablets
- Spas using Brominating Tablets should maintain 4.0 – 6.0 ppm total bromine residual.
- When starting with a fresh fill, fill up the feeder or floater with Brominating Tablets according to manufacturer’s instructions. Shock the spa using Brominating Concentrate or Chlorinated Concentrate according to label instructions to eliminate undesirable compounds and establish a sanitiser residual. Adjust the feed or flow rate for the Brominating Tablets and test frequently for the first week. Shock as needed until the proper bromine residual can be established and maintained for several days.Brominating Concentrate
- Spas using Brominating Concentrate should maintain 4.0 – 6.0 ppm total bromine residual.
- When starting with a fresh fill, add 25 grams per 1,000 litres with the pump running. Test frequently the first week and add Brominating Concentrate as needed to establish and maintain 4.0 – 6.0 ppm total bromine residual.
Spas contain a small amount of water relative to pools. Each person who enters the spa has far fewer gallons of water to share than the same number of people in a pool. And each person who enters the spa introduces cosmetics, perspiration, and other undesirable compounds into the water. Because of this, shocking should be frequent.
A shock treatment should be applied following each spa use. If the spa is not being used for a long period of time, shock weekly. Spa Lite, Brominating Concentrate, Chlorinated Concentrate, or Oxy-Clear Spa Shock can be used for maintenance oxidizing. Many spas are equipped with ozonators, which help eliminate some insoluble compounds, but periodic shocking is still necessary.
Add any of these shock products directly to the spa with the pump running. Brush up any undissolved product.
- Spa Lite: Add 1 bag (50 grams) tablespoons per 1,000 litres.
- Brominating Concentrate: Add 25 grams per 1,000 litres.
- Chlorinated Concentrate: Add 50 grams per 1,000 litres.
- Oxy-Clear Spa Shock: Add 25 grams per 1,000 litres.
After shocking, do not use the spa until the bromine residual drops to 8.0 ppm or lower.
Balance:
Spa water must be balanced to prevent equipment corrosion and surface damage. To balance the spa, perform a complete water analysis and follow ALEX recommendations. Maintain pH between 7.4 – 7.6 at all times. Add balancing products with the aeration off. For help controlling pH, use Perfect Balance, a pH buffer.
Clean:
Rinse the cartridge filter off periodically, and chemically clean the cartridge with SpaGuard Filter Brite when the spa is drained and cleaned. The following formula is a good rule of thumb for estimating when to drain the spa.
Spa volume in litres/(10 x average daily bather load) = number of days between drains
When cleaning the sides of the spa after draining, use a cleaner that has been specifically designed for spa use. Off The Wall Surface Cleaner is ideal.
