SPA-Article # 3 Draining and Refilling Your Hot Tub

Periodically hot tubs need to be drained and refilled with fresh water.  

How often is often?

Basically, it depends upon your usage patterns and/or at the first signs of a loss of water quality.


How many times a year your hot tub water needs replacing depends on several factors: 

1. Hot tub size  This seems pretty obvious. 2 people using a small hot tub holding 200 gallons of water will require more frequent water changes than 2 people using a medium sized hot tub holding 300 gallons.

2. Number and type of bathers

More people, longer soaking times equals more frequent water changes.

3. Hot tub filtration design

Some hot tubs are designed with great filtration systems. Some hot tubs are designed to have a low purchase price and are constructed with low quality components.  Because the hot tub filtration system is not a priority for the manufacturer, it is probably undersized and allows for by-pass filtration.

A great filtration system will filter every drop of the hot tub water 24 hours a day, at a very low and slow gallons per minute, whether you use the tub or not. Cheaply priced hot tubs may only filter the water a couple of hours a day and at high flow rate.

Just like the size of the hot tub, the size and number of cartridge filters will also factor into how often



Beyond redemption,
best to replace this with a new filter.
Replacement has its benefits. Water clarity
will increase, less chemicals will be needed
to maintain your tub and BEST OF ALL..
..INCREASED PRESSURE WHEN
YOU TURN ON YOUR JETS!

a hot tub must be drained and refilled. Even cartridge filters that are older than 1- 2 years old (and not rotated) will effect the frequency of water changes...older filters gradually become clogged and filter less and less as time goes by.


This filter is probably as dirty
as a filter should be allowed to get.
If you haven't chemically cleaned it
in last 4-6 weeks, then do so.



4. Is hot tub maintenance performed regulary and routinely?

Many spa issues can be prevented with regular, routine preventative maintenance. Reacting to problems requires much more of your time, money and energy....and more frequent water changes.  



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Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. As your authorized BioGuard dealer, PoolCo can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor.

How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it and how long you soak.

This simple formula can help:

Spa gallons ÷ Daily bathers ÷ 3 = Days between draining

Example: 300 gallons ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 3 = 50 days

Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes.

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SPA-Aticles #1: Regular, Routine Maintenance Steps to Clean, Healthy Water

"SPArticles"

A Brief Introduction

Whether you are a new or experienced hot tub owner, we hope you will benefit from our newly created series of "SPArticles". Each SPArticle will provide you with information about the do's and don'ts of successful spa ownership...one topic at a time. Our information is based on real life experiences and - of course - factual information taken from reliable sources.  (BTW - We don't claim to have the definitive way to take care of your hot tub. There are many different approaches to hot tub maintenance.  We simply recommend what has worked best in the past for us, our customers and the hot tub.)

How to use SPArticles

We recommend that you just take a few minutes each day or week to read a new SPArticle. We will start with the basics and each new article will build upon past articles. Don't try to learn everything in one day or evening. You will retain more if you try to learn just a little at a time.

The PoolCo Difference

Learning all on your own? Well you don't have to! Poolco SPArticles will shorten the "learning curve". Very quickly you will discover how easy spa maintenance really can be.

That's the PoolCo difference.

PoolCo helps you save time and money by providing you tried and true information. Our staff is friendly and helpful. You can turn to us for advice, just like all of southern Illinois has since 1979 - Mark and Mary Carvell, owners Tri State Pool & Spa, LLC


We do like feedback, so please visit, call, text or email us with your questions or comments. Feel free to stop by our store with a pint sized water sample (in a very clean container).

Our friendly staff will gladly test your water for free.

PoolCo SPA-Article #1

Basic Spa Care

Get in the habit of practicing some basic spa care rules everyone should observe.  Preventing problems before they occur will give you more enjoyment from your sparkling clear spa - not to mention the perfect environment for relaxing with family and friends. SpaGuard 6 Keys to Spa Care (View Video)   1. Circulation Proper water circulation will help prevent ensure even distribution of products as well as promote filtration. As the water circulates, it passes through the filter, trapping suspended particles. Properly circulating SpaGuard spa care products help keep the water inviting and ready for your soaking pleasure. Be sure to run your spa's circulation system every day to ensure good working order. (Hot Spring Models run automatically everyday.) 2. Filtration Many spa issues are caused by poor filtration-when the filter is dirty or clogged, debris stays in the water.  A properly cared for filter captures hair, oils and cosmetics. (Most spas have a cartridge filter.) Because spa filters trap many contaminants, cleaning has two steps: spraying off loose debris, then using SpaGuard Filter Cleaner to remove oils and other contaminants embedded into the filter. You need to chemically clean your filter with SpaGuard Filter Cleaner every 4 to 6 weeks. Important: Replace old, dirty clogged filters with new filters. Depending on the size of filter and if you chemically clean the filter on a regular basis, this will be generally every 12 - 24 months. Reduced water flow (from the jets) is usually an indicator that the filters are clogged and even a chemical cleaning will not revive them. 3. Cleaning Contaminants such as dirt, oil and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Regular cleaning preserves spa surfaces and prevents unwanted build-up.  Off The Wall® Surface Cleaner and SpaGuard Cleaning Mitts are powerful, low-sudsing cleaners that work specifically with spa water chemistry. Use them to remove the ring of oil and dirt that serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and to prevent residue from building up around the waterline and inside skimmers. 4. Draining and Refilling Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. As your SpaGuard Dealer, Poolco can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor. How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it. This simple formula can help: Spa gallons ÷ Daily bathers ÷ 3 = Days between draining Example: 300 gallons ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 3 = 50 days Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes. 5. Chemistry There are two primary components that affect spa water quality: sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) residual and pH. When both are within their recommended ranges, your water is comfortable, protected and clear; sanitizers and "shock products" work efficiently; and spa surfaces and equipment are protected. Recommended bromine or chlorine residual levels are: Bromine Residual using Brominating Tablet  2 - 4 ppm Bromine Residual using Brominating Concentrate: 3 - 6 ppm Chlorine Residual using Chlorinating Concentrate: 3 - 5 ppm  6. Testing The chemistry of your spa water needs to be checked regularly. Use SpaGuard products to maintain the correct levels, including: sanitizer residuals, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, metals, and total dissolved solids. BioGuard® 4-way Test Strips - and Soft Soak® 4-way Test Strips for Soft Soak spas - test pH, total alkalinity, and sanitizer levels with only one strip. Maintaining proper levels will make the water clear and comfortable, kill bacteria that can multiply rapidly in a spa, protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals, and protect spa equipment from scale. There are 3 essential chemical areas to maintain. Sanitization - kills bacteria to help prevent the transmission of disease. Oxidation/shock - removes residues and restores clarity and comfort. Water balance - ensures spa user comfort, water clarity, sanitizer efficiency, and longevity of spa surfaces and equipment.