A spa or hot tub is an investment in your relaxation. A hot soak relaxes tired muscles, promotes circulation and helps relieve stress. Sound chemical maintenance will preserve your investment and enhance your enjoyment.

This page is designed to help you get the most enjoyment from your spa or hot tub without risking your health or damage to spa equipment. In it we will use the term "spa" to refer to both spas and hot tubs. The SpaGuard® Chemical Maintenance Program fulfills the special needs of all spas and hot tubs.

Spa maintenance is important - and relatively easy - as long as you know what to do. By following the easy procedures contained in the SpaGuard Web pages and using SpaGuard® products you can:

1. Keep your spa water protected from bacteria

2. Keep your spa water sparkling clear and comfortable

3. Enjoy your spa when you are ready

Even if your spa is equipped with an ozone generator (or some form of ion device), you will still need to pay attention to the maintenance information in this Web site. Of course, every spa is different, so you should consult your spa owner's manual for equipment operation and maintenance procedures. Always read product labels for detailed information on application and use.

And of course, feel free to ask your Water Wizards Specialist any questions. Because we want you to have a perfect spa environment whenever you're ready to explore the fine art of relaxation.

Filtration

Circulation

Chemistry

SpaGuard Products

Cleaning

Testing

Draining and Refilling

Maintenance Programs

Troubleshooting Tips

Many spa problems are caused by poor filtration. A filter that's operating properly helps keep the water clean by capturing the hair, oils and cosmetics that wash off when people use the spa. When the filter is dirty or clogged, all this debris remains in the water. Most spas have a cartridge filter. Check your owner's manual for detailed information on how to remove the filter for cleaning. Typically you should clean the filter every 4 - 6 weeks.

Remove the cartridge.

Rinse with a garden hose to remove loose debris. A hose-end nozzle is best. A pressure washer has too much pressure. (NOTE: This will not eliminate the accumulated oils.)

Every time you clean your filter, use SpaGuard® Filter Brite in the new 100 gram bag. This will dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt.

Thoroughly rinse the cartridge again. (Ideally the cartridge should be allowed to dry before being returned to service.)

Return the cleaned cartridge to the filter housing.

Replace the filter element as often as the manufacturer or your SpaGuard Specialist recommends.

Use SpaGuard® Polysheen weekly. Some particles of debris are microscopic and too small for the filter to catch. Polysheen will help join these tiny particles together and allow the filter to remove them, keeping the water clear.

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Every day, bacteria and other contaminants can find their way into your spa water. Proper circulation will help prevent these contaminants from becoming problems. As the water circulates it:

Passes through the filter and the suspended particles are trapped.

Thoroughly distributes the SpaGuard® products that kill bacteria, eliminate undesirable compounds and help prevent problems.

1. Run your spa's circulation system every day. Check your spa owner's manual to determine how long your spa's circulation system should run or ask your SpaGuard Specialist for advice.
   
2. If your spa has a separate circulation pump that runs continuously, simply make sure that your system is always in good working order.
   

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Water Balance

The Perfect Balance Program - especially for acrylic, vinyl and fibreglass spas, or
The Mineral Adjustment Program - for all types of spas.

Consult your SpaGuard® Specialist for the system best suited to your needs.

Water Balance using SpaGuard® Perfect Balance

SpaGuard® Perfect Balance is best for acrylic, vinyl and fibreglass spas. When used as directed, it is an easy, 1-step liquid dosage for maintaining a stable pH while softening the water to increase its comfortability. SpaGuard® Perfect Balance, when used in a freshly-filled spa, at the rate of 500ml per 1000 litres, not only establishes the proper pH, but helps stop the pH from drifting to make water management easier for you. When SpaGuard® Perfect Balance is added at a pH of 7.4 - 7.6, pH is then "locked in" at that level. Minor maintenance additions of SpaGuard® Perfect Balance may be required to maintain pH in spas using SpaGuard® Brominating Tablets.

For acrylic, vinyl or fibreglass spas utilising the Perfect Balance method only, disregard any recommendations for regular maintenance of Total Alkalinity or Calcium Hardness adjustments. SpaGuard® Perfect Balance will provide the necessary balance of spa water required to protect your spa surface and equipment. SpaGuard® Perfect Balance will precipitate all the calcium from the water. The removal of dissolved calcium softens the water for a cleaner, more comfortable feel and eliminates the possibility of scale formations. This may temporarily cloud the water (6 - 24 hours) if a high amount of calcium is present. This is a desired effect. Operate the filter continuously until the water clears and monitor the filter pressure. Clean the filter cartridge as required to remove the calcium.

Add SpaGuard® Perfect Balance to hold the pH in its optimum range. pH is the most important aspect of spa water quality. However, maintaining the proper pH can be a challenge. The heated, aerated water combined with heavy bather loads can cause the pH to change quickly, unless a means for buffering these changes is present. Perfect Balance is formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH changes.

The Mineral Adjustment Program

This method involves adjusting total alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness. Total alkalinity (TA) should always be in the 125 to 150 ppm range. Low TA can cause the pH to bounce from one level to another, potentially causing scaling or corrosion of surfaces. Add SpaGuard® Balance Pak 100 to raise low TA. Excessive TA levels can cause scale, cloudy water and other pH problems.

Next comes pH. If pH is high (above 7.6) chlorinating sanitisers are less effective, surfaces and equipment can scale, water may cloud and shorter filter runs may occur. Correct this by adding SpaGuard® Lo 'n' Slo. Low pH (below 7.2) causes sanitisers to dissipate more rapidly, increases corrosion of surfaces and equipment and may make water irritating to spa users. Adjust low pH by adding Balance Pak 200. Never add more than 30 grams of BP200 per 1000litres of water. Add while pump is operating. Maintain pH level between 7.2 - 7.6. Ideal level is 7.4 - 7.6.

Lastly, adjust calcium hardness. Low levels of calcium (water's too soft) can lead to corrosion of equipment and staining of surfaces. Add SpaGuard® Balance Pak 300 to raise low calcium hardness. High levels of calcium can cause scaling of equipment (reducing efficiency) and ugly, rough patches on the interior of the spa. Calcium hardness should be maintained between 100 - 200 ppm.

SpaGuard offers a full line of sanitisers, oxidisers, balancers and accessories all formulated for maximum performance and value. As a family of quality products, the products work superbly on their own or in spas which use pre-installed devices such as ozonators.

SpaGuard® products provide numerous benefits. When used according to label instructions, SpaGuard® products will:

Make the water feel clean and comfortable.

Kill bacteria which can multiply rapidly in a spa.

Protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals that are often dissolved in water.

Protect spa equipment from scale caused by calcium deposits. Scale can accumulate on spa surfaces and inside filters and heaters, greatly reducing their effectiveness.

For your convenience, we've colour-coded our different product categories.

Sanitisers to kill bacteria and keep the water protected and soothing.

Oxidisers to remove undesirable compounds and keep the water inviting and sparkling clear.

Balancers to make the water feel wonderful, and protect the spa surfaces and equipment.

Accessories to keep the spa surfaces clean and the water beautiful.

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If left unchecked, contaminants such as dirt, oil, and even bacteria can accumulate at the water line, much like a bathtub ring. Regular cleaning of spa surfaces preserves the surfaces so the whole spa environment looks and feels better.

Use a skimmer net to remove floating debris.

Brush and vacuum the spa.

If you have a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.

Clean the oily ring that forms at the waterline using BioGuard® Off The Wall. This fast-acting product breaks up the oils and debris at the water line so you can easily wipe the surface clean. Unlike most common household cleaners, BioGuard® Off The Wall is totally compatible with your spa's water chemistry.

Prevent water line build-up with Natural Chemistry Spa Perfect. This natural, safe product has enzymes that digest most oils and eliminate them from the water. By removing these oils:

• Your spa will be less likely to form foam.
• The surface will be clean.
• The water line will stay clean longer.
• The life of the filter will be extended.

Clean the plumbing system with Swirl Away. This product removes deposits of oils, greases and grime from pipelines and jets in your spa or spa bath. Swirl Away's unique formulation softens and clears deposits to allow your system to operate at peak efficiency.

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Always Test the Waters

1. Sanitiser type

2. pH

When both are within their recommended ranges:

• Your water is comfortable, protected and clear.
• Your sanitisers and "shock products" work efficiently.
• Your spa surfaces and equipment are protected.
  

Maintain bromine or free chlorine residual within their recommended levels:

Bromine Residual = 4 - 6 ppm
Chlorine Residual = 2 - 3 ppm

(If your spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you may choose to maintain the chlorine or bromine at the lower end of their ranges.)

Test sanitiser and pH level several times a week with the 4-way Test Strips. These strips provide quick, easy and accurate readings. The test process is simple. Follow the label instructions. Just dip and read.

Take a water sample to your SpaGuard® Specialist regularly (every 4 - 6 weeks) for a FREE complete water analysis. In addition to testing the pH and sanitiser, this analysis will measure the water's total alkalinity, calcium hardness, iron, copper, manganese and total dissolved solids. Based on this analysis, your SpaGuard® Water Wizards Specialist can recommend the SpaGuard® products you need to keep the spa looking and feeling great!

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Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. Your Water Wizards SpaGuard Specialist can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy and develop an odour.

How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it. This simple formula can help.

Spa Litres ÷ Daily Bathers ÷ 12 = Days Between Draining
Example: 1200 litres ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 12 = 50 days

Clean the pipes with Swirl Away.

Drain the water. Check your owner's manual for information.

Clean the spa surfaces with BioGuard® Off The Wall.

Refill the spa with fresh water.

Take a sample of the water used to refill the spa to your Water Wizards SpaGuard Specialist for a complete analysis.

Add the recommended SpaGuard® products in the order and amount determined by the water analysis.

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