Chemicals, Health, Maintenance
Quick & Easy Steps to a Clean Hot Tub
Sitting in your hot tub is a great way to unwind, relax, and enjoy being outside all year long. It’s well known that hydrotherapy can ease muscle pain, improve circulation (which helps to reduce joint pain), lowers stress, and can aid in a better night’s sleep.
With all these amazing benefits, you may wonder about the catch. Well, there doesn’t have to be a catch! As long as your water, equipment, and filters are cleaned and maintained regularly, your hot tub will always be ready for you to take a dip.
Cleaning and maintaining your hot tub is simple and doesn’t require much time. Just follow this timeline and you’ll be able to use your hot tub through all four seasons for many years to come.
Every 3-5 Days
With regular water maintenance, your chemical levels will remain in the proper ranges and you’ll never have issues with dirty or unsanitary water conditions.
- Check your water with a test kit to determine if it is soft or hard water and to check for high levels of alkalinity, pH, chloramines, or metals and minerals.
- Using a spa pre-filter, fill your hot tub.
- Make small chemical adjustments to reach the proper ranges.
- Add a large dose of sanitizer once a week to “shock” the water.
- Use a skimmer net to remove any floating debris.
- Keep a log with test results and notes on adjustment.
To extend the life of your spa cover:
- Remove the cover for a few hours weekly so it can breathe.
- Rinse it off with a garden hose.
- Dry with a clean cloth.
Every 1-2 Months
Add water to your spa as needed to keep it full. The water level should be in the middle of the skimmer intake or slightly higher.
Cleaning your spa filter on a regular basis is required to lengthen the life of your hot tub.
- Use a high-pressure garden hose to spray the fabric filtration material clean, working from top to bottom.
- If your cartridge has collected body lotions or oils, soak it in warm water with a filter cleaner.
Spa cover maintenance:
- Hose off and then clean it using a spa cover cleaner to remove oil, dirt, tree sap, and pollen.
- Apply a vinyl conditioner to the outside of your cover to keep it soft, strong, and looking new.
Every 2-4 Months
A full draining and cleaning of your hot tub needs to take place to keep bacteria in check.
- Drain the hot tub completely.
- Vacuum the bottom of the spa.
- Clean the inside shell completely using a spa cleaner. DO NOT use household cleaners or soaps.
- Refill your spa at the filters.
- Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for sanitizing new water.
Every 1-2 Years
- Replace the spa filter once a year or more often if it is cracked, frayed, or still looks dirty after cleaning.
If you ever have questions about the cleaning or maintaining of your hot tub, check your owner’s manual or give us a call today. We are here to answer your questions and ensure your hot tub is providing you with the best hydrotherapy experience.
Chemicals, Lifestyle
Salt Water Systems
Congrats! You’ve done your research and purchased the hot tub of your dreams. However, before you jump in, now is the time to decide what kind of sanitation system you want—chlorine or saltwater. Both options come with pros and cons, so it is best to look at your lifestyle to see which option meets your needs and personal preferences.
To help you determine which option is best for you and your needs, here are some things to consider:
Chlorine & Bromine Systems
One of the more popular choices people tend to choose is chlorine. Chlorine is less expensive than many of the other sanitation systems on the market, easy to apply, and is simple to use. For some, the smell of chlorine can be overpowering and, if your pH and alkalinity levels aren’t right, can lead to skin irritation and red eyes.
Another option people have is to use bromine to keep their hot tub clean. Compared to chlorine, bromine treatments tend to be more intricate and take longer to dissolve in water. In addition, the upfront costs of bromine tend to be a little more expensive to chlorine but, because of less annual treatments, is usually recouped over time.
Saltwater Systems
Over the past few years, saltwater systems have grown in popularity. For those interested in going a more natural route, this option may be the best fit. Saltwater systems are a preferred choice due to the way it’s more gentle on skin, turning the water softer and avoiding skin irritation. Some other perks of choosing a saltwater system is that they can generate their own chlorine, which keeps the sanitation flow consistent.
If you’re interested in a saltwater system for your hot tub, be warned that salt can seriously damage the metal on your hot tub if you’re not diligent in your hot tub care. You should also be aware that the upfront costs of saltwater systems are more expensive compared to chlorine and bromine.
Regardless which option you decide to go with, remember it is important to test your water often to ensure the pH and alkalinity levels remain balanced. If either level is too high or too low, you have a greater chance of damaging your hot tub.
Deciding which type of chemistry to put in your hot tub is a big decision. Before deciding which option to go with take a moment to talk with one of our hot tub professionals to get a better idea of which system best fits your needs and lifestyle. When it comes to caring for your hot tub, this is too big of a decision to just wing it.
Chemicals
Hot Tub Chemistry: An Easy-to-Follow Water Care Guide
As the proud new owner of a hot tub, we know you’re ready to take the plunge and experience a few moments of luxurious relaxation. However, if you are worried about hot tub chemistry, relaxing might not come easily.
At Bullfrog Spas OKC, we’ve put together a hot tub chemical guide that will relieve any doubts or worries you might have when it comes to taking care of your water. Just follow this simple guide and your hot tub will be ready to go!
Step 1: Check the Alkalinity
When it comes to maintaining the balance of your hot tub’s chemicals, the first thing you want to check is the water’s alkalinity. Your hot tub’s alkalinity should fall between 80 ppm and 120 ppm. To test, simply dip a testing strip into the hot tub just long enough for it to get wet. Shake off any excess water and compare it with the color on the back of your kit. If the alkalinity appears too low, follow the directions on your Total Alkalinity Increaser. If the alkalinity is too high, contact your dealer for help.
NOTE: Keep in mind that once you add a chemical, you’ll need to wait a few hours or overnight before testing again if you want an accurate reading. Also, refrain from adding more than one chemical at a time to ensure you can see how each chemical influences your hot tub’s chemistry.
Step 2: Check the pH Level
Next, you’ll want to check the pH level, which measures how acidic or basic your water is. The ideal pH level range is 7.2 to 7.8. Anything below 7.2 signifies the water is too acidic, and anything above 7.8 means the water is too basic (or alkaline). Low or high pH levels can cause efficiency and equipment issues as well as ear, eye, and skin irritations.
To test the pH level, dip a testing strip into the hot tub just long enough to get wet. Shake off any excess water and compare the strip with the color on the back of your kit. If it tests below 7.2, add a pH increaser according to directions. If it tests below 7.8, add a pH decreaser according to directions.
Step 3: Check the Sanitizers
The most widely used hot tub sanitizers are bromine and chlorine, both of which will help to keep your hot tub disinfected, clear, and clean. While bromine treatments tend to be a little more complex and initial costs tend to be a little higher, it requires a lower number of annual treatments when compared to chlorine.
To balance your sanitizer levels, use the same testing strip used to test the pH level as it will also show where the sanitizer levels fall. Add your chemical sanitizer of choice according to package directions.
Step 4: Try a Shock Treatment
To ensure your water stays clean and pure, hot tub experts recommend shocking your hot tub at least once a week, though this can fluctuate depending on where you live and how often your hot tub is used. Shock treatments break down the organic contaminants that cause cloudy water and unwanted odors. Just follow the directions on your shock treatment package.
A New Start
If balancing your water’s chemistry becomes too difficult, it might be time for a fresh start! It’s recommended you drain your hot tub every 3 months to flush out the plumbing and “reset” the water.
Chemicals, Maintenance
SilkBalance 101
Bullfrog Spas of Oklahoma City is the Authorized
SilkBalance Dealer for the State of Oklahoma.
#1 What is SilkBalance?
It is laboratory-formulated and is a blend of buffering and sequestering agents to balance spa water. In addition, SilkBalance’s other additives act to preserve water in a fresh state and protect the hot tub’s components like heaters and pumps.
#2 How does SilkBalance work??
SilkBalance eliminates bacteria’s food sources from the water, preventing its ability live and multiply. By reducing the surface tension of the water SilkBalance creates a very difficult environment for bacteria to form the protective slime around themselves called Biofilm. (Biofilm protects a bacterial colony so it can grow). When you use SilkBalance you will notice little or no bacterial content in the water.
#3 Will SilkBalance sanitize the water in my hot tub?
No, however it does contain additives which act as passive biostat agents. These additives keep the product resh and safe for use.
#4 Do I still need to use a sanitizer in my hot tub?
Yes, after bathing the body wastes left in the water, i.e., sweat, skin, hair, body lotions, dust, etc. act as food for bacteria. SilkBalance does not eliminate these. If you do not have ozone purification we recommend the use of a weekly dose of chlorine granules as a safety measure.
#5 What are the benefits of SilkBalance?
It eliminates on average 15 minutes weekly you would usually spend measuring, adding and testing various products. This totals to 13 hours over a year. The peace of mind from knowing your hot tub water is always perfectly balanced is enormous. It eliminates you having to buy and think about all of the products, and it is extremely simple to use.
Another major benefit is it ends bad or chemical odors in the water or that are left on the skin. By not requiring the high maintenance of a chlorine level in the water, the good bacteria on the skin is not affected and there is no dry, itchy feeling after leaving the spa. SilkBalance is proven safe for those who suffer from psoriasis. This benefit alone has enabled thousands of hot tub owners to use their spas again.
#6 Is SilkBalance safe?
SilkBalance meets all U.S. standards for safety and reliability. This product has been tested by dermatologists for skin safety as well. It’s safe for the environment, because it’s made of natural ingredients. The water is even safe for pets to drink AND for watering your flower beds.
#7 Is SilkBalance expensive to use?
It costs less than the time and frustration you would ordinarily face in hot tub chemical systems. You or a loved one can now use your hot tub because of skin irritation.
If you want seek the best water experience with no after effects like dry skin or chemical smells this product will serve you well. If you like the convenience and want an all natural and safe product for your body to bathe in look no more.
#8 Don’t just take our word for it. SilkBalance stands behind its product.
If the product doesn’t work to keep your water clean, clear and smelling good, if you don’t appreciate time saving and lack of frustration, and, if your skin doesn’t feel soft and smooth without itching or flaking after using your hot tub, return it for a FULL REFUND.
What have you got to lose?
Stop soaking in several chemicals. Make the switch to SilkBalance today!
