A modern spa often contains up to 100 meters of hoses and pipes. If these are not cleaned regularly, it is difficult to avoid bacteria and dirt in the piping system.
If you ensure that there is enough disinfectant in the bath (bromine and chlorine) - even when you are not bathing - the intervals between pipe cleaning will be longer. As usual, for the disinfectants to be fully effective, the water must be kept in balance (PH and alkalinity).
Unfortunately, forgetting to keep the water in balance and allowing it to stand without disinfectant - even briefly - will inevitably lead to the formation of a layer of biofilm in the bath's plumbing system.
When biofilm is allowed to grow in pipes and hoses, it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You will notice the formation of bacteria also through your own senses as there is a sour smell and also through the visual presence of brown "gel blobs" in the spa.
In view of the above, it is important that you appoint 2-4 times a year either Dolphin pipe cleaner or SpaCare biofilm cleaner during water changes. The products are designed to effectively remove deposits of skin fat, hair and similar while disinfecting the spa.
The brown edge of dirt that often forms at the waterline after cleaning the pipe system can be easily removed with the SpaCare Spaclean Spray.
NOTE! Remember, when adding maintenance products to the spa, the circulation pump (massage pump) should be running, but the air intake should be closed. Your Sannra-Spalock should also be removed to avoid damage.
There are normally three reasons why the water in a spa becomes gray or cloudy:
If you use washable spa filters, these should be cleaned every two to three weeks with a special cleaning agent, filter cleaner. This agent dissolves grease but does not make it lather in your spa. Washable spa filters should be changed and discarded after 12 months at the latest.
Once the filter is clean, even the smallest particles in the water can be removed by the addition of flocculant.
Sannra™ cleaning-free spa filters
If you use these filters and experience insufficient filtration, it may be time to change the filter. Read more about these popular filters here.
- Adjust the alkalinity correctly as a first step. Increase the alkalinity by Alka Up (if it is too low) or lower it by Alka Down (if it is too high).
- Measure the PH value (click here for test equipment selectionTry to stay in the range of 7.0-7.4.
Is the PH value too high? Buy PH-down!
Is the PH value too low? Buy PH-up!
A high pH value results in poor chlorine disinfection, skin irritation, limescale and turbidity.
Low pH results in aggressive water that wears out equipment and irritates eyes and mucous membranes.
Alkalinity shows the amount of dissolved alkaline salts in the water, such as carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides.
Alkalinity is the pH buffer of water. - i.e. the greater the buffer, the greater the resistance of the water to changes in pH.
Once again we are reminded of the importance of showering before bathing. A person who has not showered "pollutes" 200 times more than a clean person who has just left the shower.
Shock treatment the water in the spa according to the dosage on the package. Appropriate shock chlorination is (di-)chlorine powder that SpaCare Minichlor. An excellent option is also Delphin Oxi booster which consists of di-chlorine powder and some oxygen.
If you want to shock treat without chlorine, you use instead SpaCare Spachock or Active Oxygen Granular.
Water naturally contains calcium, which in turn can cause white flakes if the PH level is high (above 7.6).
If you detect white flakes in the water, they can disappear on their own via regular filtration - the possibilities are even greater with our Sannra™ cleaning-free spa filters. When the flakes are large, they stick to the outside of the filter and clog it. To remove the flakes, you need to take the filter out with the circulation off and rinse the flakes off. This usually needs to be repeated a number of times to remove all the flakes.
It is likely that there are also calcium deposits in pipes and in the bathroom. Then use some of our products that prevent lime.
If the white flakes are not lime, inappropriate treatment products/chemicals containing too many insoluble substances may have been used.
Advice to avoid white flakes or milky water in the future:
Make sure the alkalinity has been adjusted to 80-120 mg/l, so the pH is stable.
Check the pH regularly, preferably 2-3 times a week, and adjust to 7.0-7.4.
Use SpaCare No Scale or Delphin spa Lime stabilizer to lower the hardness of your bath water and thus reduce the risk of limescale deposits.
In our experience, chlorine is the most effective and cheapest. Chlorine is also the only substance that both disinfects (kills bacteria) and oxidizes the water (burns dirt and grease). This is why we primarily recommend chlorine products in hot tubs. This is to ensure that the bacteria do not survive, so you can enjoy your hot tub without problems.
If you want to swim without the smell of chlorine, try this SunWac 9 or Sunvac 12 tablets. The most common practice is to use tablets before/after bathing. The tablets are effervescent tablets so they dissolve after five minutes - and then you can take a bath in the spa.
Depending on how much you bathe, you shock-chlorinate instead of the tablets after bathing, every two or three weeks. The shock chlorine removes chloramines (spent chlorine) and other contaminants.
It is also very good to drain some water from time to time and refill with new "baby water".
If you have a chlorine level of between 1-3mg/l, there can theoretically be no bacteria in the water. Lower chlorine values provide a reduced security for a bacteria-free water and higher chlorine values can instead cause discomfort in the form of chlorine odor and possibly dehydrated skin.
Can be used if you have chlorine allergies. A little more expensive than chlorine but very effective compared to other chlorine-free chemicals. The advantage of Bromine is also that it provides the same disinfection regardless of pH value. In addition to a basic disinfection with bromine, you should carry out a shock treatment every two weeks with Spa Shock or Spa Chlorine.
Our most popular products SpaCare Bromin tabs and Delphin Spa Brom tabs can be found under the category Spa Brom.
Bromine disinfects but the disadvantage of not using chlorine is that chlorine is the only option that both oxidizes and disinfects. This means that oxidation must be done via shock treatment when using bromine. As a shock treatment with chlorine we recommend SpaCare MiniChlor or Delphin Spa Oxi Booster which is a unique combination of chlorine and active oxygen.
If you want to shock treat the bath without chlorine, you can advantageously choose SpaCare SpaChock Granular or Spa Shock Granules.
We recommend using products with active oxygen as a base in combination with an activator. Spa Shock or Spa Shock Tabs 20g together with Spa Shock Support (algae killer).
In addition to a basic disinfection with active oxygen, a shock treatment should be carried out every two weeks with Spa Klor.
Maybe you know the problem: You measure a pH value of over 7.6. You add pH-Down and the next morning you still measure a too high pH value. Meanwhile, maybe your water is slightly cloudy?
This is probably because the alkalinity of the bathing water has not been set correctly.
Alkalinity is the water's pH buffer - i.e. the greater the buffer, the greater the water's resistance to changes in pH.
Too high alkalinity (>150 mg/l CaCO3) means that you cannot change the pH value. If you add pH-Down, the pH value is "pushed" back again.
The alkalinity can be lowered by Alka-Down.
Too low alkalinity (<60 mg/l CaCO3) means that the pH value cannot be controlled and the pH value varies widely. At the same time, too low alkalinity can cause corrosion (rusting) of your spa. Alkalinity can be increased by Alka-Up.
Feel free to use the hot tub calculator, you will know exactly how much to add of either Alka-Down or Alka-Up.
NOTE! Remember, when adding maintenance products to the spa, the circulation pump (massage pump) should be running, but the air inlet (air screws on the top of the spa) should be closed.
This is how the alkalinity is adjusted:
Most effective and cheapest. The most common practice is to use tablets before/after bathing. Depending on how much you bathe, you shock-chlorinate instead of the tablets after bathing, every two or three weeks.
The shock chlorine removes chloramines (spent chlorine) and other contaminants. Very good to occasionally drain some water and refill with new "spa water".
If there are bacteria and/or organic matter in the water, the chlorine and chlorine atoms will "eat" these contaminants. Thus, the chlorine is consumed. It is not uncommon to find that, through this process, the chlorine you have added disappears immediately.
Add the chlorine. Wait 30 minutes after this and then measure the chlorine value with the test equipment. If you again "measure 0" for chlorine, add more chlorine.
Once all contaminants have been removed, only then will the chlorine remain in the water and the chlorine value will be in the recommended range.
To get clean water, you need to try to achieve the recommended values below. Whichever disinfectant you use, it is important that the alkalinity and PH value always follow the recommended values. Start by measuring with one of our testing instrument. Measure chlorine/bromine, alkalinity and pH. We recommend this starter kit in the form Aquacheck digital reader which is a complete kit to measure your water via test strips. If you are prepared to go up a little in price, our Scuba 2 a good alternative that measures water more accurately and photometrically. If you want the very best and both measure and read values in your cell phone automatically, you should consider buying a Blue Connect.
| Ideal value | Adjust with | |
|---|---|---|
| pH value | 7,0 – 7.4 | pH Plus, pH Minus |
| Alkalinity value | 80 - 120 mg/l (ppm) | Alkalinity Up, Down |
| Degree of hardness | 150 - 250 mg/l (ppm) | Hardness Up |
| Chlorine | 1.0 - 3.0 mg/l (ppm) | Chlorine |
| Active acid | 5.0 - 8.0 mg/l (ppm) | Shock |
| Bromine | 2.0 - 3.0 mg/l (ppm) | Bromine |
You never have to wash dirty filters or buy filter chemicals again.
After 3 months, simply discard the filter and insert a new one. Each filter can handle about 3 months of normal bathing. So with two filters in your bath, you will change after about 5-6 months.
Cleaning-free spa filters simplify spa life. The filter is made of spun plastic, porous polypropylene (the same material used in pet bottles).
Should be changed every three months for normal bathing.
If you bathe often and frequently, the filter needs to be changed more often.
If you use two filters, you change them every 6 months, etc.
Provides cleaner bathing water, removing particles down to 1-5 microns. A new washable filter removes particles down to 20-40 microns.
We recommend using an old rinsed filter for 24 hours after changing the water and cleaning the pipes.
There are usually small particles in the new water and there may be residues from the cleaning process that will shorten the life of the filter.
Cleaning the filters is important. The spa filters and filtration play a crucial role in providing clean and fine spa water along with the chemicals. The logic is simply that the more the filter pump is running, the cleaner the water you get.
You should therefore clean the dirty filter cartridge at regular intervals. To do this, remove the filter from the container and rinse off any visible dirt between the lamellae. After rinsing, place the filter cartridge in a container and add Filter Cleaner according to the dosage instructions on the package.
After soaking in the solution for at least 12 hours, remove the filter and rinse it thoroughly under clean water. Now you have a cleaned spa filter ready for use.
Quick cleaning of washable filters:
Flush the filter so that the water enters properly into the folds of the spa filter. Connect the garden hose to filter washing. Distribute Delphin spafilter cleaner evenly over the spa filter. Let it sit for 10 minutes before washing the filter with the water walls with water turned on in the hose.
Tutorial 1: Tips and advice for spa care - New start, after cleaning and/or water change - what to do?
Basic tips for those who have bought a new hot tub or perhaps bought a house where the hot tub was already in place when they moved in.
A predominant part of water treatment is filtration. We recommend Cleaning Free Spa Filters that are superior in user-friendliness and remove smaller particles down to 1-5 microns in comparison with traditional washable filters that can only handle down to 20 microns. The result is significantly clearer water!
1. Fill the bath with water. As far as possible, the water you fill the spa with should be of drinking water quality. If you have your own well, we recommend that you use a pre-filter when you fill it up. The next step is to balance the water.
2. Adjust the alkalinity correctly as a first step. Increase the alkalinity by Alka Up (if it is too low) or lower it by Alka Down (if it is too high).
3. Measure the PH value (click here for test equipment selectionTry to stay in the range of 7.0-7.4.
Is the PH value too high? Buy pH-minus!
Is the PH value too low? Buy pH-plus!
A high pH value results in poor chlorine disinfection, skin irritation, limescale and turbidity.
Low pH results in aggressive water that wears out equipment and causes irritation to eyes and mucous membranes.
4. When the water is in balance, start by shock treatment it according to the dosage on the package.
Suitable shock is (di-)chlorine powder that SpaCare Minichlor. An excellent option is also Delphin Oxi booster which consists of di-chlorine powder and some oxygen.
The combination gives a very good result! Depending on the water quality lime and metal adjusting products need to be added.
Remove the lid for 10-15 minutes during shock treatment to protect the spa lid.
5. The next step is to choose which running disinfectant to use (chlorine, hum or active acid). Click here for help in making this choice! Do not underdose. Don't be afraid of the chlorine, be afraid of the bacteria!
Always dose according to the instructions on the package.
Now the bath is finally ready to be enjoyed!
Ongoing basic tips:
Shower well before the spa! Make sure you shower properly before bathing and thoroughly rinse off any soap residue on your body and swimwear. An unshowered person brings 200 times more pollution into the spa than a showered person.
NEVER mix different chemicals
Granules (powdered chemicals) and tablets can be dissolved in a bucket of warm water before being poured into the spa. However, different chemicals should not be dissolved at the same time in the same bucket as toxic gases may be formed. There is no danger when mixed with a few cubic meters of water in your spa.
Whirlpool cleaning of piping systems
You should change the water in the spa 3-4 times a year and always clean the pipe system at the same time. You start by adding the recommended amount "Pipe Cleaner" into the existing bath water. Turn on the jet and run the whole system for about 10 minutes before draining the old bath water. Take the water hose and put it against the nozzles to rinse out some extra dirt.
There are means to cleaning and polishing up the inside of the bath. Drain new water, adjust the alkalinity, pH and shock chlorination. You now have a new healthy bathing water to enjoy.
Tip 1: If you intend to change the filter at the same time, it may be a good idea to rinse the old filters and use them for the first 24 hours. Otherwise, the risk is that you will immediately clog the new filters with residues from the pipes and the biofilm from the fresh water.
Tip 2: At the same time, take the opportunity to clean and protect vinyl side of the spalock, but remember to carefully rinse off any soap residue so it doesn't get into the spa because then you really get a bubble bath.
Sannra Spalock
Spreya on Vinyl protection 303 the cover will have a longer lifespan.
Tutorial 1: Tips and advice for spa care - New start, after cleaning and/or water change - what to do?
Basic tips for those who have bought a new hot tub or perhaps bought a house where the hot tub was already in place when they moved in.
A predominant part of water treatment is filtration. We recommend Cleaning Free Spa Filters that are superior in user-friendliness and remove smaller particles down to 1-5 microns in comparison with traditional washable filters that can only handle down to 20 microns. The result is significantly clearer water!
1. Fill the bath with water. As far as possible, the water you fill the spa with should be of drinking water quality. If you have your own well, we recommend that you use a pre-filter when you fill it up. The next step is to balance the water.
2. Adjust the alkalinity correctly as a first step. Increase the alkalinity by Alka Up (if it is too low) or lower it by Alka Down (if it is too high).
3. Measure the PH value (click here for test equipment selectionTry to stay in the range of 7.0-7.4.
Is the PH value too high? Buy pH-minus!
Is the PH value too low? Buy pH-plus!
A high pH value results in poor chlorine disinfection, skin irritation, limescale and turbidity.
Low pH results in aggressive water that wears out equipment and causes irritation to eyes and mucous membranes.
4. When the water is in balance, start by shock treatment it according to the dosage on the package.
Suitable shock is (di-)chlorine powder that SpaCare Minichlor. An excellent option is also Delphin Oxi booster which consists of di-chlorine powder and some oxygen.
The combination gives a very good result! Depending on the water quality lime and metal adjusting products need to be added.
Remove the lid for 10-15 minutes during shock treatment to protect the spa lid.
5. The next step is to choose which running disinfectant to use (chlorine, hum or active acid). Click here for help in making this choice! Do not underdose. Don't be afraid of the chlorine, be afraid of the bacteria!
Always dose according to the instructions on the package.
Now the bath is finally ready to be enjoyed!
Ongoing basic tips:
Shower well before the spa! Make sure you shower properly before bathing and thoroughly rinse off any soap residue on your body and swimwear. An unshowered person brings 200 times more pollution into the spa than a showered person.
NEVER mix different chemicals
Granules (powdered chemicals) and tablets can be dissolved in a bucket of warm water before being poured into the spa. However, different chemicals should not be dissolved at the same time in the same bucket as toxic gases may be formed. There is no danger when mixed with a few cubic meters of water in your spa.
Whirlpool cleaning of piping systems
You should change the water in the spa 3-4 times a year and always clean the pipe system at the same time. You start by adding the recommended amount "Pipe Cleaner" into the existing bath water. Turn on the jet and run the whole system for about 10 minutes before draining the old bath water. Take the water hose and put it against the nozzles to rinse out some extra dirt.
There are means to cleaning and polishing up the inside of the bath. Drain new water, adjust the alkalinity, pH and shock chlorination. You now have a new healthy bathing water to enjoy.
Tip 1: If you intend to change the filter at the same time, it may be a good idea to rinse the old filters and use them for the first 24 hours. Otherwise, the risk is that you will immediately clog the new filters with residues from the pipes and the biofilm from the fresh water.
Tip 2: At the same time, take the opportunity to clean and protect vinyl side of the spalock, but remember to carefully rinse off any soap residue so it doesn't get into the spa because then you really get a bubble bath.
Sannra Spalock
Spreya on Vinyl protection 303 the cover will have a longer lifespan.
As far as possible, you should check your hot tub every week. However, this is not always practical and it is best to follow the advice below:
There is absolutely no disadvantage in adding insulation to the spa underneath, even if the spa is already insulated. Whether it is an economically justifiable intervention is difficult to answer in general as it obviously depends on how well the spa is insulated from the factory, current electricity prices, etc. Most baths on the market are well insulated but there are large differences. Some suppliers market "happy figures" so make sure that your potential supplier has documented figures that correspond to actual conditions. Ask for a copy of the tests or they probably don't exist.
If you still choose to add insulation, various types of cellular plastic or polystyrene boards are available for this purpose in well-stocked DIY stores.
Often the location of the spa is already decided in advance. Often the choice falls on an existing area on the terrace or perhaps on a cozy spot on the plot with a special view. Here are some general tips and comments from Kuben.se regarding the placement of the newly purchased spa;
Moving a hot tub is difficult
It is therefore better to think twice before deciding on the final location of the spa.
Choose a location that is sheltered, close to heating and showers and consider whether the location is sheltered.
A hot tub placed in a strong wind requires more energy to keep it warm. Being close to a shower and heat makes bathing much easier and you don't have to slip or stumble to get in and out of your cozy hot tub. There will be more opportunities for spontaneous bathing and you will probably use the bath more if it is accessible in relation to the main building.
Privacy may also be preferable as not everyone wants to greet their neighbors in swimming trunks or swimsuits every time they go swimming.
Location directly on the balcony
A popular option. For obvious reasons. The location of the balcony is often already carefully positioned and adjacent to the building containing the shower and bathroom. The possibility of reaching the spa in a simple and easy way is therefore often good, even in winter when the risk of ice and snow can limit access if the spa is placed too far from the house. Showering before bathing is, as we often describe, very central as a person who has showered pollutes the bath water 200 times less than a person who has not showered. If you choose to install the spa on a decking, you must, if necessary, reinforce it so that it can withstand the total weight of the spa. That is, about 500 kg per square meter of bathing surface. If you are not a craftsman or qualified do-it-yourselfer, it is recommended that you consult a craftsman or supplier of hot tubs regarding the installation.
Building a hot tub or jacuzzi into your balcony
The result is usually very elegant, which also contributes to the popularity of this option. The disadvantages include the fact that service work may be more complicated. At least one side of the spa will need to be opened for servicing. A further disadvantage is that the choice of cover lift is limited to the top-mounted option. Worth noting; by building the bath to half the height, you get an easier entry and do not need stairs to the bath.
Placing a hot tub indoors
If you intend to place your hot tub indoors, you should ensure that the bathroom or intended location can handle the increased weight of the hot tub. Consult a construction expert on this matter. Ventilation must be designed to cope with the considerable increase in moisture that the spa will bring.
A spa or jacuzzi is normally supplied as a complete, ready-to-use unit and is easy to install. A qualified electrician should connect the electricity through an earth leakage circuit breaker. No fixed water installation is required; water is added using the garden hose.
The substrate must be flat and stable and on a hard surface that can withstand the load of the bath. Ground stone or a stable gravel or macadam bed is recommended. It is also a good idea to place extra insulation between the foundation and the spa. Commonly used is some form of ground insulation alt. Insulation boards such as XPS boards.
Good maintenance procedures and water change habits in the spa are important factors. You can find more detailed information on this below.
Whichever disinfection system you use, you should at least 1 time per week:
This is a time-consuming but essential part of spa and Jacuzzi maintenance. In the piping system of the Jacuzzi, grease and dirt form a film called biofilm. This biofilm is removed using special agents such as Spa Pipe Cleaner or SpaCare Biofilm Cleaner.
You should change the water in the spa 2-3 times a year and always clean the piping system at the same time. There are means to cleaning and polishing up the inside of the bath.
Tip 1: If you intend to change the filter at the same time, it may be a good idea to rinse the old filters and use them for the first 24 hours. Otherwise, the risk is that you will immediately clog the new filters with residues from the pipes and the biofilm from the fresh water.
Tip 2: At the same time, take the opportunity to clean and protect vinyl side of the spalock, but remember to carefully rinse off any soap residue so it doesn't get into the spa because then you really get a bubble bath.
Spray on Vinyl protection 303 the cover will have a longer life span. Make it a routine to do this in connection with the above-mentioned procedure for changing the water in the Jacuzzi.
Cleaning the filters is important. Along with the chemicals, filtration plays a crucial role in producing clean and fine spa water. The logic is simply that the more the filter pump is running, the cleaner the water you get.
You should therefore clean the dirty filter cartridge at regular intervals. To do this, remove the filter from the container and rinse off any visible dirt between the lamellae. After rinsing, place the filter cartridge in a container and add Filter Cleaner according to the dosage instructions on the package.
After soaking in the solution for at least 12 hours, remove the filter and rinse it thoroughly under clean water. Now you have a cleaned spa filter ready for use.
Flush the filter so that the water enters properly into the folds of the spa filter. Connect the garden hose to filter washing. Distribute Delphin spafilter cleaner evenly over the spa filter. Let it sit for 10 minutes before washing the filter with the water walls with water turned on in the hose.
Clean your filter in one minute!
If you don't have a filter cleaner like this, this is usually done with a garden hose in combination with a filter spray as described above. The dirty water often sprays uncontrollably in all directions. Estelle's spa filter cleaning system can help you wash the filter quickly, easily and in an environmentally friendly way without chemicals. Insert the filter cartridge to be cleaned into the cleaning device and connect it to a water connection via a hose. Open the faucet. The dirty cartridge filter is set in rotation by the water jet. The dirt is flushed out by the directed jet between the lamellae and thrown away by centrifugal force. You can change the direction of rotation with the rotary knob on the side to rinse the spa filter thoroughly from both sides. The large, transparent housing protects you from dirt and water splashes. This allows you to clean the filter cartridge in the bathroom, basement or garage. The dirty water can be drained through the integrated drain.
The cartridge filter is thoroughly cleaned for about one minute and then clean again.
Highly recommended for those who want to avoid the above step of cumbersome and time-consuming cleaning of the spa filters.
This is simply the convenient, modern way to cleaner bathing water. Sannra™ no-clean spa filters remove particles down to 1-5 microns compared to traditional washable lamella filters that are unable to remove particles smaller than about 20 microns. The result is simply cleaner and fresher bathing water.
You never have to wash dirty filters or buy filter chemicals again.
After 3 months, simply discard the filter and insert a new one. Each filter can handle about 3 months of normal bathing. So with two filters in your bath, you will change after about 5-6 months.
Cleaning-free spa filters simplify spa life. The filter is made of spun plastic, porous polypropylene (the same material used in pet bottles).
Should be changed every three months for normal bathing. If you bathe frequently and with many people, the filter must be changed more often.
Never use flocculants (Clarifier, Bright&Clear, Gentle Clarifier) with these filters. The filters naturally remove small particles that cause cloudy water.
Do not use oil-based fragrances that clog all types of filters.
We recommend using an old rinsed filter for 24 hours after changing the water and cleaning the pipes.
There are usually small particles in the new water and residues may continue to come out of the pipe system even after cleaning, shortening the life of the filter.
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