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Hot-Tub Chemicals & Accessories

Hot-Tub Chemicals & Accessories

Starting up your spa

When filling your spa for the first time (commissioning) or when refilling after it has been empty for a period, it is strongly recommended that shock chlorination should be carried out on the cold fresh water. The hot tub chemicals such as Fi-Clor Spa Shock or Fi-Clor Superchlorinator are ideal products for this purpose as they are unstabilised chlorine donors and will deliver the maximum effectiveness. The free available chlorine level should be taken to either 25mg/l (ppm) for a minimum of two hours, or 50mg/l (ppm) for a minimum of one hour. While the spa is being chlorinated to these high levels, the water must be allowed to flow to all parts of the system, regularly monitoring the chlorine residual to ensure that it does not fall below the specified level at any time. Where an air blower is fitted, it should not be run for the first 15 minutes to minimise the formation of aerosols (fine spa water mist).

Taking Care of Your Spa Water

The uses of hot tub chemicals in a spa are to prevent bugs and bacteria forming which could be a hazard to humans. Bacteria need little encouragement to flourish; a nice dark warm place is ideal, and where better than in the spa filter or pipe work? Water is the most important part of your spa, indeed all the equipment is designed to either hold water, move it, filter it or heat it, so if you take care of the water, it will take care of you. The care of your spa water can be divided into three parts:

Starting up your spa
The circulation / filtration system
The chemical treatment regime

The Circulation/Filtration System

This consists of a circulating pump and filter; the pump moves the water through the system. The filter removes small particles, which if left in the water would turn the water turbid. It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions as to how long the circulating pump should run. Periodically the filter will require cleaning. The filter will invariably be of the cartridge type which can be cleaned with Fi-Clor Spa Cartridge Cleaner. This is essential to remove precipitated minerals and greasy deposits that have been trapped in the filter which if left, will impair the filter's performance and cause the water to become cloudy. Your spa water should always look clear, bright and inviting. If, for any reason, it doesn't, it can usually be brought back to life withFi-Clor Spa Water Clarifier. This assists the efficient removal of small suspended particles, which in sufficient quantity will cloud the water.

So do you need to be a chemist to look after your spa?

No, but you will need to read and become familiar with the manufacturer's instructions provided with your spa and gain a little understanding of the chemicals you'll be using. Follow a few simple rules and you can:

Ensure the water is bacteria free.
Protect the spa finish.
Extend the life of spa equipment.

The Chemical Treatment Regime

Your spa has been filled with fresh water straight from the tap. This water is good enough to drink, so why should it require further treatment? The simple answer is that when you get into the spa, you carry with you numerous small particles, including bacteria. Bacteria are so small they're invisible to the naked eye, but that doesn't mean they can be ignored. Living organisms such as bacteria need, as we do, food and water to survive and flourish. The water is already present; the food is usually in the form of organic material and because you consist mainly of organic matter, each time you climb into the spa you introduce this in the form of skin particles which are covered in bacteria, along with other nutrients. You must, therefore, treat the water and kill off these bacteria.