Spa Water Maintenance - Arctic Spa's of St. Louis

Initial Start-Up

Before adding chemicals, know your spa water capacity in gallons or liters.

As you fill the spa add 2 oz. (8 cap full) of Best Defense per 250 gallons (1000 liters) to inhibit staining and scale formation.
Once the spa has sufficient water for circulation, turn on the filtering equipment.
Test the total alkalinity. The ideal range is 80-150 p.p.m. Adjust with Perfect Balance or Adjust Down.
Test the pH. The ideal range is 7.2 to 7.6. Adjust if necessary with Adjust Up or Adjust Down.
Circulate the water for 30 minutes.
At this point the spa owner must decide to use the bromine or chlorine disinfectant system…
After water is balanced add 1 oz (1 cap full) of Peak Boost per 250 gallons (1000 liters). This will establish an immediate bromine residual for disinfection. Fill your floating or automatic feeder with bromine tablets and adjust the bromine level to 3-5 p.p.m.

Daily Maintenance

To keep your spa water sparkling clear and odor free, follow these steps:

Operate the filter for at least two hours to remove suspended particles that may exist.

Test total alkalinity. Maintain the desired range of 80-150 p.p.m.

Test total pH to maintain a level of 7.2-7.6.

Adjust your feeder so the bromine residual is 3-5 p.p.m. Add 2 oz (2 cap full) of Refresh per 250 gallons (1000 liters)

Weekly Maintenance

When the spa is not in use:

Add 1 oz. (1 cap full) of Best Defense per 250 gallons (1000 liters) to inhibit scaling and staining. Circulate the water for 30 minutes.
test for bromine and adjust feeder to maintain a bromine residual of 3-5 p.p.m. If bromine residual is low, add 1 oz. (4 cap full) of Peak Boost per 250 gallons (1000 liters)
The Bromine sanitizing systems contaminants may build up during the week. The spa should be shocked with Refresh at a rate of 3 oz. (3 cap full) per 250 gallons (1000 liters).

This will eliminate any odor and restore clarity to the water.

Periodic Maintenance

Greases, oils, and organic waste can accumulate on the filter cartridge, reducing their efficiency and limiting the effectiveness of the disinfectant.

Once a month remove cartridge and soak overnight in Filter Restore. Physically clean the basket daily.

Add 1 oz. (1 cap full) of Easy Clear per 250 gallons (1000 liters). Circulate the water for 30 minutes.
After administering a non-chlorine shock treatment with Refresh, or a super chlorinator treatment with Boost, leave cover open for 20 minutes to allow oxidized gases to vent. The use of a thermal insulated hard cover will reduce evaporation and heat loss.
Over time, oxidation of the spa cover and cabinet will create a dull finish. An application of Cover and Cabinet Renew will bring back and protect the finish.
Once you have established a comfortable water temperature to soak at, leave the thermostat at that temperature. Rapid changes in water temperature consume more energy.
Replace test kit supplies each season. Care should be taken to keep solutions out of the sun. Check expiration date of test strips.
Take a sample of water to your spa dealer to test for alkalinity, pH, calcium, and total dissolved salts.
Due to the warm water temperature and high evaporation rate, the total dissolved solids tend to build up. For this reason we recommend draining and refilling the spa