Hot Tub
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Hot
Tub Filters - 10 Great Tips
The poor hot tub filter is
probably the most abused and unappreciated part of most spas. The
little guy is being sucked through each and every second the hot
tub is being run and he's asked to clean your water of algae,
bacteria, hair, body oils, dead skin, bugs, dissolved solids,
etc. - sounds downright disgusting, doesn't it ? It's a tough
job, but somebody's got to do it !
Being that the life of a filter is
a tough one, it's best that you prepare your filter for its'
daily combat by following a few simple maintenance rules.
- Make sure that the spa runs
on low speed mode for at least three hours each day to ensure
good water circulation and turnover of the spa water (even if no
one is going to use the spa that day). This provides sufficient
filtering time for most spas. Also make sure you add Spa Shock
and Water Clarifier to the spa once per week, as this assists in
proper filtering. (Note...do not use Clarifier if using Perfect pH).
- Make sure that you get a new
(yes, we mean NEW) filter if any of the following occur: the
filter has been used more than 12 months; the filter is gray,
brown or green; the filter looks beige or off-white, even after
cleaning; the hot tub has been transferred to a new owner; the
actual filter element (the paper-ish part) becomes flat and loses
its fibrous sheen (this means the fibers have collapsed and can
no longer filter effectively); the filter top or bottom has a
crack or split; the actual element starts to unravel or come
apart.
- Rinse the filter off with a
high pressure garden hose once per week.
- Make sure you use
"Scumballs" or "Scumbugs" in your spa, as
these dramatically reduce the amount of oils that actually get
into your filter. Remember to squeeze them out after each spa use
and replace them when they deteriorate.
- Do not use any soap based
cleaners on your spa or the filter (Fantastic, Glass Plus,
Windex, etc.). Do not use car wax on your spa.
- Make sure that the filter is
seated properly in the filter compartment or skimmer. This
ensures 100% filtration of the water passing through the filter.
- Make sure you maintain proper
water chemistry at all times. Filters are good, but they're not
miracle workers and cannot actually kill off algae or bacteria !
- Make sure that the filter is
fully cleaned out every two months with a Filter Cleaner
Solution. Also fully clean filter whenever draining and refilling
your spa.
- It is a good idea to have two
filters and use them on an alternating basis - switching them
every other week. This way you can be cleaning one while you are
using the other.
- Try to keep your family
members and friends from going in the spa if they have any one of
the following on their body (ask them to shower first): hair
spray, mousse or styling gel; deodorant or anti-perspirant; sun
tan lotion; excess sweat; skin creams of any sort (Jergens, Nivea, Soft Sense Arthritis Cream, Ben
Gey, etc.); excess soap in
bathing suits.
Actually, it's best not to wear
clothing at all in a hot tub spa because of the residual
detergents and dyes sometimes present in clothing, even after a
machine wash. These items can cloud spa water and clog filters.
We do realize that there are social situations where people feel
more comfortable in bathing suits ! Try to have your guests
either rinse off their suits with a hose prior to going in your
tub or have spare bathing suits on hand that you have washed
thoroughly beforehand.
In conclusion, you do not want
oils or soaps of any kind in your spa ! Remember, a hot tub is
not a bath tub ! If guests have long hair, it is a good idea to
keep a few baseball type caps around, so they can put their hair
up, under the cap. This way you don't have to worry about hair
spray or styling gels getting into your spa water.
Following these simple handy
suggestions will greatly add to the clarity of your spa water,
and keep your filter working for months and months !
Check out our Filter
Cartridge
section of our website.
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