HOT TIPS con't. next column
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Hot Tips for Hot Tubs
by Jessica Tessman
Caring for a spa can seem like a daunting task.
The chemicals—increase this, decrease that,
what is hardness anyway?—filter maintenance
and drain schedules can leave you scratching
your head. Luckily there are professionals with
the experience, knowledge and supplies to take
the guesswork out of spa maintenance. Spas are
supposed to be relaxing, right? Following are a
few tips to get you started.
#1. First up, pick a sanitizer. There are three
common choices in the industry: Chlorine,
Bromine and a Mineral System.
Chlorine is a popular choice with which most
people are most familiar; it is also the primary
sanitizer used in swimming pools. Chlorine
is effective at removing bacteria, but it has to
be added 2-3 times per week. Free Chlorine
levels should remain around 1-3ppm (parts per
million).
Bromine is more stable under higher
temperatures than Chlorine, requiring less
application and maintenance. Bromine levels
should be kept between 3-6ppm.
Lastly, Mineral Systems are a popular choice
among those who want to keep things more
“natural.” For example, Zodiac’s Nature2 Stick
uses a silver ion system as its primary means
of sanitization. However, Mineral Systems
must always be supplemented with Chlorine
or Bromine, as they do not leave enough of
a reserve in the water to kill all bacteria and
viruses. Please check your system, as some
cannot interact with Bromine safely.
It is incredibly important to make sure
you are not purchasing your sanitizer at a
big box store or online. Most sanitizers in the
recommended strength cannot be shipped via
any carrier service. They are unregulated and
may contain harmful ingredients. Likewise,
sanitizers found at large chain stores often say
for “pools and spas.” These will damage your
hot tub. You cannot treat 300 gallons of hot tub
water the same as you would 20,000 gallons of
pool water.
#2. Balance the water. Proper water
chemistry can ward off most spa issues. You
should test your water chemistry on your own
at least once a week and have it professionally
tested once a month. Why have it professionally
tested when you have test strips and the internet
to guide you? Professionals have access to more
precise testing equipment that will also test for
a broader range of issues. What’s more, your spa
professional can tell you how to properly apply
your chemicals and save you a lot of frustration.
You should be testing for sanitizer, alkalinity,
pH, and hardness regularly. Alkalinity acts as a
buffer to keep your pH from drifting. Hardness
is the calcium content of the water. Too little
hardness allows the water to become corrosive
and pull calcium from your spa shell and your
skin!
#3. Use a non-chlorine shock after every
use. Is your water foamy? Cloudy? Smelly?
Do you have a strange yellow ring around the
inside? Per person per 20 minutes of use is a cup
of human bodily waste. That’s right…skin, oil,
sweat. All that gets in your spa every time you
take a dip. Shock oxidizes out these organics and
recharges the sanitizer.
#4. Use an enzyme. Even if you shower
beforehand, sometimes spas just react to your
body chemistry. Don’t take it personally if you
still have a ring or foam even though you’re
doing everything right. This is where enzymes
come in as they break down organics, clarify the
water and keep your balancers from fluctuating
as much. Natural Chemistry’s Spa Cleanse
Weekly is an excellent enzyme to introduce if
your spa is set on misbehaving.
#5. Keep your filters clean. You should
inspect your filters weekly. Monthly, rinse
them with a garden hose to remove any visible
buildup. Your filters should be soaked in an
enzyme-based cleaning solution every 3-4
months to remove all organic buildup and keep
the fibers in good condition. Replace your filters
every year. It’s also a good idea to have two sets
of filters. If you alternate when you soak them
every quarter, both sets will last up to two years.
#6. Drain your spa regularly. This cannot be
stressed enough. Drain your spa every three to
four months. No longer than four months, no
matter how little you use it. Over time, your spa
water becomes less “water” and more “solution”
of those organics we talked about earlier.
The sanitizer will have a hard time keeping
up with the load which puts you in danger of
water-borne illness like folliculitis or even a
staph infection. We also recommend using an
enzyme-based cleaner to flush your plumbing
and remove all organic buildup. This is a service
we offer at Southern Tropics if you are unable to
drain your spa yourself.
If you follow these basic rules, then your spa
experience will be much happier and easier.
You didn’t purchase your hot tub to increase
your stress levels. Stop by Southern Tropics on
US#1 any time for a free water test and to talk
to a professional. We have everything you need
to troubleshoot your issues, balance your water
and help you relax! ☐
For more info, see ad p.37.
p.6 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 137
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