Hot Tub Chemicals Quick Start Guide
Setting up your hot tub for the first time? Start enjoying your hot tub in just three easy steps.
SHOCK DOSE - ADD COMMISSIONING OR NORMAL SHOCK DOSE OF CHLORINE
Before using your spa, Shock Dosing the water in your Lay-Z-Spa kills any bacteria from the start. It will also help to extend the time until you have to replace the water (assuming a good chemical maintenance schedule). Find out how to carry out this shock dose in our Shock Dosing How-to Guide.
TEST WATER AFTER 24 HOURS
After a commissioning shock dose you usually have to wait around 24 hours before the water is safe to use.
It is essential to test the water every time before getting in. When it comes to water testing we recommend using Clearwater 3 way Dip Test Strips. Using Clearwater Dip Test Strips you are able to quickly and accurately assess your spa’s water conditions and make adjustments to the chemical levels as required.
This may require you to adjust your pH, Alkaline and Chlorine levels. Dosage amounts will vary.
START YOUR REGULAR ONGOING CHEMICAL REGIME
In order to maintain clear, clean and healthy water there are some Daily, Weekly and Monthly Chemical Tasks that you will need to undertake.
ONGOING CHEMICAL REGIME - DAILY
KEEP YOUR LAY-Z-SPA ON
Turn on your Lay-Z-Spa and activate the filtration system to ensure your spa stays continuously filtered.
By leaving your spa on the filter cartridge will collect suspended dirt and oils. This together with chemical water treatment will help you maintain clean and healthy water.
Daily Maintainance:
WATER TESTING & DAILY ADJUSTING OF CHLORINE & PH LEVELS
Chemicals will still get used up and will be constantly changing, even if you haven't used the spa. We recommend testing the water 1-2 hours before you plan to use it to give you time to make any chemical adjustments if required.
This test can be carried out by using a Clearwater 3 Way Dip Test Strip.
An overview of the recommended levels for Total Alkalinity, Free Chlorine and pH can be found below:
Total Alkalinity
For more information on how to test your Total Alkalinity visit our How-To Guides.
TESTIDEAL READINGTERMS
Total Alkalinity125 - 150ppm**ppm = parts per million
Free Chlorine Testing
For more information on how to test your Chlorine visit our How-To Guides.
TASKIDEAL LEVELPRODUCTDOSE FREQUENCY
Chlorine1 - 3 ppm (aim for 3)ClearWater Stabilised Chlorine GranulesDaily when pool in use to maintain ideal levels
pH Levels
For more information on how to test your Total Alkalinity visit our How-To Guides.
TASKIDEAL LEVELPRODUCTDOSE FREQUENCY
pH7.2 - 7.6ClearWater pH Minus to reduce.
ClearWater pH Plus to increaseWeekly or as required to maintain ideal levels
CHECK FILTER CARTRIDGE
Depending on variety of factors from hardness of water to in water debris you will need to clean your Filter Cartridges every day or every few days (this is based on constant use). This will not only ensure that your spa stays clean, it will also prolong the life of your cartridges.
· Cleaning your Filter:
· To do this, ensure your pump is switched off, unplugged and the filter hoses have been removed. To prevent water escaping, use stop plugs when unplugging the hoses from your liner.
· Remove the filter cartridge from the filter pump. If it’s dirty, give it a light rinse with a garden hose. If this fails to clean the cartridge, you should replace it with a new one.
· Also place a dry filter back into the spa, not the freshly washed filter
ONGOING CHEMICAL REGIME - WEEKLY
Every week there are a number of recommended activities you should carry out in order to prolong the life of your Lay-Z-Spa’s water.
SHOCK DOSE
Lay-Z-Spas are smaller than pools and are shared by more people, meaning a greater amount of contaminants are brought into the water. As a result, it’s recommended that you shock treat the water once a week during periods of heavy use. Find out how to do this in our Shock Dosing Guide. During periods of less heavy use the spa will not need to be shocked as regularly. After testing with a Clearwater 3 Way Dip Test use Clarifier to ensure the clarity of the water.
CLARIFIER
ClearWater Clarifier contains flocculants which bind small particles of debris and algae together making it easier for your Lay-Z-Spa’s filtration system to capture and filter algae in spa’s water.
ONGOING CHEMICAL REGIME - MONTHLY
Every month you will need to carry out the following to maintain water hygiene.
REPLACE THE WATER
The frequency of water changes should reflect the degree of use of the pool, as well as the results of chemical testing. If chemical levels have fallen far outside the normal ranges, it is recommended that the water is completely replaced and re-treated.