Spa Water Guide

Spa Water Care Resource Guide

A spa can provide you and your loved ones with a fun place to kick back, unwind, and socialize. If you are thinking of purchasing a spa, it is essential to know everything involved in its maintenance, including how to keep the water clean and safe. Here are a few tips to help new spa owners get started.

Table of Contents

How to Care for Your Spa

Your spa is an investment that should bring you years of enjoyment and relaxation. Caring for all aspects of your spa is an essential part of increasing its lifespan so you can get the most out of it for years to come. There are a few crucial factors to think about when caring for your spa, including your water, your equipment, and your filtration. Each of these elements should work together to keep your spa at its peak performance.

Spa Water Care

You want the water in your spa to be clean and free of any potentially harmful bacteria, microorganisms, or contaminants. Spa systems use a mix of technology and spa water treatments to keep the water fresh and ready for use. It is also essential to regularly test and balance your water, purge the plumbing of biofilm, and drain and refill your hot tub as often as recommended. Depending on the type of hot tub you own, the routine care and maintenance you will need to perform will differ, so make sure to read your owner's manual and keep it on hand for consultation.

The Waters Choice Way

When you use our enzymes, the maintenance routine is much more simple. Once your spa is full, test and adjust your water’s pH and alkalinity, add one bottle of Pure Enzymes for Spas, add two teaspoons of Sanitizer. As your water warms up, retest and adjust your water.

Water's Choice Spa Water Care

pH Testing Hot Tub Water

You will be able to purchase spa water test strips that can quickly tell you the pH and alkalinity of your water. If you use a test strip, and the readings are all within an acceptable range, you can get right into your tub. However, if the pH is below 6.5 or above 8.4, you may want to adjust the water before use. In addition to testing the pH of your water, test strips will also tell you about chlorine and bromine levels, and the alkalinity of your water. The chemicals needed to balance your hot tub's water will come with clear directions about their use that you can follow to get your tub ready for use.

Spa Equipment Care

When filling your spa for the first time, or refilling it after purging and draining it, it is vital to test the water you will use to fill it. The tap water on your property may have higher levels of certain minerals or metals you may have to adjust. These minerals or metals can build up and damage your hot tub's internal systems. Sometimes it's necessary to add a mineral and metal sequestering agent or a filter to your hose to ensure that your tub doesn't get damaged by the water you're adding.

Spa Equipment Care - The Waters Choice Way

If your water is extremely hard or you have high metal content, you should use a hose pre-filter. Pre-filters are an excellent way to start with the best water possible. You do not need to use either of the sequestering agents if you use Waters Choice Enzymes since they will take care of that for you.

Water's Choice Spa Equipment Care

Hot Tub Cover Care

Most hot tub owners do not think about the role their cover plays in water clarity. The underside of the cover traps in the heat and moisture that is trying to escape. Then the moisture drips back into the water and can affect the quality of the water. It is an excellent idea to wipe the cover down with a mild bleach solution once a month for the first three months and then 2-3 times a year after that.

Spa Filter Care

When you are relaxing in your spa, dirt and debris will inevitably find its way into your water. By keeping your spa's filters in top shape, you’ll be helping keep your hot tub water cleaner longer. These filters work to remove anything that contaminates the water. They should be cleaned with a filter cleaner and replaced once a year (with multiple filters, the time to replace is longer than one year), to ensure that they are working at maximum efficiency. Look at your filter and keep an eye out for signs that it needs replacing. These signs include frayed or torn fabric, discoloration, or odor that does not go away with cleaning, or broken or loose parts. Water filters are an essential aspect of keeping your entire spa clean, so it is necessary to keep them clean and replace them when they wear out. When filters are clogged or worn out, they will not be able to remove debris from your hot tub's water and will often cause further problems.

Many spas come with the filtration times set at two hours a day. It is imperative to run the filters for at least eight hours a day while the enzymes are getting established and during heavier use.

Spa Filter Care - The Waters Choice Way

Because our enzymes soften the water and break down organics, it is not necessary to use a filter cleaner. To clean the filters simply soak them in household bleach or vinegar. Use one cup per filter and cover entirely with water.

It is vital to perform regular checks on all your spa’s systems to keep your components working their best. This way, you will spot any problems early on and catch them before they become a more pressing issue. The chemicals you add to your spa to keep it safe can sometimes be harsh, and over time, the internal systems can start to degrade or corrode. However, adding Waters Choice Enzymes to your water can be a smart way to cut down the harsh chemicals and extend the life of your spa.

What Products Should You Use to Care for Your Spa Water?

When you decide to buy a hot tub, it can be a little overwhelming to understand what products you need to purchase to keep it running smoothly. However, there are a few suggestions that can make caring for your tub a hassle-free experience.

Traditionally Needed Products for Spa Water Care

Metal Sequestering Agent
Adding a metal sequestering agent to your hot tub water keeps the metals from coming out of the water and staining the surface of your hot tub.
Scale Inhibitor
To keep scale from building up on the heater and other surfaces, add a scale inhibitor.
Clarifier
Particles that are too small for the filters to catch can accumulate in the spa making the water cloudy. The clarifier makes those particles stick together so the filter can catch them and clear the water.
pH Increaser/Decreaser
Chemicals help to keep the pH and alkalinity in line are called pH increaser and pH decreaser.
Water's Choice Spa Products
Chlorine/Bromine
Chlorine/Bromine are chemicals used to stop the growth of bacteria and slow down the growth of viruses and other contaminants.
Shock
If you follow the traditional method for spa water care, chlorine/bromine levels are much higher, causing them to build up and give off a strong chemical odor. Shock is used to reduce the levels of chloramines and bromamines, making your water have less of a chemical smell.

With the traditional method, it is especially important to maintain a constant level of chlorine/bromine because if the levels ever drop to zero, the water will quickly get cloudy and turn bad. To bring the water back, a large dose of chlorine/bromine may be used. Most pool spa professionals call this shocking as well.

Purge
The purpose of purging your hot tub is to clean the pipes of contaminants that you cannot see. Waters Choice Clean and Drain is the easiest, fastest, and most powerful way to get this done.
Enzymes
Most enzymes you see on the shelves of pool and spa stores are a very weak version of what is used by Waters Choice. They are typically marketed as clarifiers.
Spa Water Test Strips
To maintain proper chemical and pH balances in your hot tub water it is essential to test your water with test strips.

Waters Choice Products Needed for Spa Water Care

Spa Water Cleaning Enzymes
Pure Enzymes for Spas is the easiest, most convenient way to take care of your spa. It is environmentally friendly, saves water, and replaces most of the traditional chemicals in your hot tub. When you treat your spa with our enzymes, equipment like pumps, heaters, and jets will last longer. Your spa water will be softer, cleaner, and leave your skin smooth and your hair soft and shiny. Enzymes can make a huge difference in your spa's performance, but it is important to make sure you buy a high-quality, robust product from a trustworthy source.
Spa Water Test Strips
Testing your hot tub and keeping the water balanced is important. Test strips help you make sure your hot tub is safe to relax in. The right chemical balance is achieved by raising the pH or lowering the pH. This is necessary for you to get maximum enjoyment out of your spa while making sure to minimize bacteria.
pH Increaser/Decreaser
To raise and lower the pH and alkalinity levels a pH increaser or pH decreaser is used. pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6. alkalinity should be between 80 and 120. When your water gets out of these ranges, it can cause skin irritation and damage to your hot tub’s components.
Spa Water Sanitizer
A good spa sanitizer is crucial to caring for your spa water. It helps not only to kill bacteria but also to purify the water. Used in conjunction with Waters Choice Pure Enzymes for Spas it will help keep the water safe and ready to use.
Hot Tub Clean & Drain
Even the most well-maintained hot tub will eventually acquire a buildup of organic material called biofilm. Even if your water looks crystal clear, it is impossible to see what is going on inside your tub's jets and plumbing. This biofilm, which is made up of dirt, skin oils, mildew, lotion, and bacteria, can colonize in your pipes and clog up your system, leading to some serious issues. To combat this, it is important to regularly purge and drain all the water out of your tub and refill it. Cleaning, draining, and refilling your hot tub is a time-consuming hassle, but with our enzymes and Clean & Drain, you will only have to drain your water once a year, saving you a lot of time and effort!
Aromatherapy Products
Waters Choice is happy to provide top-quality spa products to meet all your needs, including a wide array of spa aromatherapy salts to fit any mood. We make our aromatherapy salts without dyes and formulate them to work with our enzyme system.
What’s Missing?
By utilizing the Waters Choice system, you no longer need metal sequestering agent, scale inhibitor, clarifier, or shock. This also cuts out a lot of time and money from your maintenance routine.

What Are the Benefits of Using Enzymes to Clean Hot Tub Water?

At Waters Choice, we offer enzymes that can make spa upkeep more simple. Enzymes can give your spa water a healthy boost and help to keep it clean and fresh without the need to use as many harsh chemicals. The chemicals people traditionally use in spas to clean them, like chlorine, can be harsh on sensitive skin and will degrade their hot tub system’s components over time. Waters Choice enzymes, on the other hand, are all-natural, which means they are less damaging to the skin and the pipes and plumbing in your spa. This means that using enzymes in your spa can increase its longevity and your enjoyment.

How Do Waters Choice Pure Enzymes Clean Spa Water?

Organics make up most of the buildup in your spa’s plumbing and can lead to biofilm. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze. They create a chemical reaction that breaks down complex carbon chains, such as organics. When enzymes break down organics, biofilm has less of a chance to form. In turn, your chlorine and bromine can do a better job of sanitizing your tub, and you can use less of those chemicals to keep your hot tub clean. This saves you money and the risk of exposure to chemicals that are harsh on your skin and hair.

Water's Choice Spa Enzyme Benefits

How Do You Use Waters Choice Pure Enzymes?

Waters Choice is proud to offer the most effective enzymes for maintaining your hot tub water. Simply add Waters Choice Pure Enzymes into spa water that is less than 60 days old. If your spa water is older than 60 days, drain your hot tub using Waters Choice Clean & Drain to clear out any already-present biofilm, refill your tub, and add the enzymes. You will need to continue to add enzymes to keep the environment healthy and thriving. Be sure to run your filter for eight hours a day for the first six weeks of using enzymes. Your water will most likely look cloudy at first, this is a normal part of the startup process and will clear up on its own once the enzymes are sufficiently established.

What Are The Benefits of Using Waters Choice Enzymes for Cleaning Hot Tubs?

Here are some of the most significant benefits of using Waters Choice enzymes to keep your hot tub clean:

  • Enzymes reduce the need of harsh chemicals (such as chlorine and bromine) making you feel more confident about how safe the hot tub water is for you and your family.
  • Your water will be cleaner, clearer, and have less odor.
  • Our enzymes are an all-natural product that is safe for the environment, will not contaminate our water supply, and will not hurt your vegetation when draining.
  • Your filters will stay cleaner for a longer time, which means you will not need to clean them as often.
  • Your water will naturally become softer and clearer, which makes your water more inviting!
  • Enzymes are easier on people with sensitive skin and make your skin softer.
  • Your hair will not change colors from too much chlorine.
  • You will not need to change your spa water as often. Most of our customers only change their water once a year instead of 2-3 times a year, like most other cleaning systems.
  • Enzymes can save you time and money and make your entire spa-owning experience more relaxing.
  • One of the best parts is there is no longer a need to shock your hot tub. The purpose of shocking a hot tub is to get rid of chloramines that build up over time. Waters Choice enzymes do the work for you.

Use Waters Choice Spa Products to Get the Best Performance and Experience from Your Spa

Browse our spa products and don't hesitate to contact our customer service team if you need more assistance. We are happy to answer all your questions about why enzymes are the perfect spa water car solution for you!

All Waters Choice products can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home for an easy shopping experience. And you can rest assured that all our products are safe for your friends and loved ones. With over 25 years of experience in the spa and hot tub industry, Waters Choice has the expertise you are looking for at a price that will not break your budget. Once you get started using enzymes, we know you will love them and will never go back to solely relying on harsh chemicals.

For more information about enzymes and all the spa and pool products we offer, continue to browse our website or contact us. We are here to improve the longevity of your spa, and make sure you enjoy every moment you spend in it!