Water & Filter Care

The professionals at SpaTopia have developed 2 water care programs specifically tailored for the water available in the Lake of the Ozarks area.

The first is the traditional bromine program.
 

Weekly Bromine Maintenance Program

Filling Your Spa:

1. When full add:
• Bromine tablets to a floating bromine dispenser.
• One (1) two ounce packet of Sodium Bromide or shock directly into the water
• Two ounces of Sequa-Sol (or equivalent scale inhibitor) directly to the water.
• Six to eight ounces of PH decreaser (or 1 cup muriatic acid) directly to water.
2. Operate the pumps and air bubbler for 20 minutes (they will shut off automatically after 20 minutes) to mix the chemicals. The spa will heat the water approximately six degrees an hour. It is normal for some spas to flash an 'ICE' message on the display and run the pumps while heating.

Three (3) Days After Refill:

1. Test water.
2. If necessary, adjust alkalinity and pH with pH decreaser or increaser.
3. Add the following chemicals (amounts based on a 400 gallon spa):
• Two (2) ounces of MPS shock or 1 ounce of Chlorinating Granules
• One capful of Sequa-Sol (or equivalent scale inhibitor)
• One (1) to six (6) Brominating Tablets, as needed
4. Operate the pump(s) and air bubbler for 20 minutes with the cover off.

Weekly (until spa is drained and refilled):

1. Test water.
2. If necessary, adjust alkalinity and pH with pH decreaser or increaser.
3. Add:
• Shock (four (4) ounces of MPS shock or 1 ounce of Chlorinating Granules)
• One(1) capful Sequa-Sol (or equivalent scale inhibitor)
• Scum line issues are best controlled with the use of a oil absorbing sponge (Scumball, Zorbie or similar product)
• One (1) to six (6) Brominating Tablets, as needed
4. Operate the pump(s) and air bubbler for 20 minutes with the cover off.
5. The spa should be run with the cover off anytime a shock or chlorine is used.

 
Our alternative water maintenance program features the Nature 2 mineral cartridge (www.nature2.com). Nature 2 is a "green" approach to water purity. Low odor and ideal for those with sensitive skin, this program is as close to "just water" as you will find. We love it!

Weekly Nature Maintenance Program

Filling Your Spa:

1. When full add:
• Nature 2 cartridge to the center cavity of the filter.
• 1 ounce of Chlorinating granules
• 2 ounces of Sequa-Sol (or equivalent scale inhibitor) directly to water
• Six to eight ounces of pH decreaser (or 1 cup muriatic acid)
2. Operate the pump(s) and air bubbler for 20 minutes (they will shut off automatically after 20 minutes) to mix the chemicals. The spa will heat the water approximately six (6) degrees an hour. It is normal for some spas to flash an 'ICE' message on the display and run the pumps while heating.

After Each Use (or a minimum of three times a week):

1. Add shock (1.5 oz of MPS or .5 oz Chlorine granules).

As Needed:

1. If water looks hazy, treat with one (1) ounce chlorinating granules
2. For an added benefit, also treat with 2 ounces of clarifier.

Weekly (until spa is drained and refilled):

1. Test water.
2. If necessary, adjust alkalinity with an alkalinity increaser (Total Alkalinity Increaser) and pH with a pH increaser or pH decreaser.
3. Add:
• Shock with 1 ounce chlorinating granules
• One (1) capful Sequa-Sol (or equivalent scale inhibitor)
• Scum line issues are best controlled with the use of a oil absorbing sponge (Scumball, Zorbie or similar product)
4. Operate the pump(s) and air bubbler for 20 minutes with the cover off.
5. The spa should be run with the cover off anytime a shock is used.

Filter Care

Here are the instructions for cleaning your hot tub cartridge filter. A polyester cartridge should be replaced every one to two years. Inspect the cartridge for collapsing pleats, broken retaining bands or fraying fabric. Many customers find it helpful to have a spare filter to install while they clean the dirty one.

1. Remove the cartridge from the filter housing following the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Use a garden hose with a straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element. Work from the bottom down, holding the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, and wash all the pleats with emphasis between pleats.
3. Rinse until all dirt and debris is gone.
4. For all spa cartridges and elements used in swimming pools where perspiration, suntan lotions, and other oils are present, soak the element for at least one hour (over night is most effective) in (1) a filter cleaner; or (2) one cup tri-sodium phosphate (tsp.) to five gallons of water.
5. Rinse the cartridge again to remove oils and cleaning solution.
6. If the filter has a coating of algae, calcium carbonate (residue form the calcium hypochlorite), iron, or other minerals, soak the cartridge in a solution of one part muriatic acid to twenty parts water until all bubbling stops. WARNING: failure to remove all oils and cleaning solution before acid soaking will result in a permanent restriction of water flow and cause premature cartridge failure.
7. A quick soak in a solution of 1/2 cup bleach and 5 gallons water will whiten and disinfect your spa filter. Rinse well and reinstall or allow to dry completely for storage.