Water Care

Hot tub water care guide

Getting your Instinct Spa ready for a perfect soak involves a few essential steps to ensure the water is fresh and balanced. From the initial setup to ongoing care, this hot tub water care guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your hot tub in top condition.

How to start up your hot tub

With this hot tub start-up guide, your new spa will be ready to help you unwind, relieve stress, and more.

Filling your hot tub: Begin by attaching the pre-filter, included in your start-up kit, to a garden hose. This handy tool helps remove minerals from the water, making it easier to balance your chemicals.

Add a sequestering agent: Once your hot tub is filled, introduce a sequestering agent like metal protect. Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully and let the water circulate and filter for at least 30 minutes (or as directed) before adding any additional chemicals.

Test the water: Grab the test strips from your chemical kit to check the pH, total alkalinity, and chlorine levels. Dip the strip into the water and gently wave it around. Compare the results to the chart provided on the bottle.

Adjust alkalinity and pH: You may need to tweak the chemical levels to get your hot tub just right. Start with pH and total alkalinity, turning on the jets and adding the necessary chemicals as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for circulation before retesting. Additional adjustments might be needed to achieve optimal levels.

Add sanitizer: To ensure your water is fresh and ready for soaking, add dichlor chlorine granules while the jets are running, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For the initial start-up, aim to bring the chlorine level above the recommended range (3 to 5 ppm) for thorough sanitation. Wait until the chlorine drops to a safe range before enjoying your soak.

Regular hot tub water care

At Instinct Spas, we believe that hot tub water care should be so easy that it feels like second nature. With just a few routine steps, you’ll ensure that your hot tub is always ready when you are.

Each use: Keep an eye on your water chemistry every time you use your hot tub. Test and adjust the chemicals as needed to maintain balance.

Three times a week: Use chemical test strips to check sanitizer, pH, and alkalinity levels. Adjust as necessary, following the directions on your chemical products. If you notice that free chlorine is less than total chlorine, use a non-chlorine oxidizer to balance things out.

Once a month: Clean your filters with a designated filter cleaner, adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Remember to turn off the power to your Instinct Spa at the breaker before you start cleaning the filters.

Every six months: Drain and refill your Instinct Spa with fresh water.