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The poor hot tub filter is probably the most abused
and unappreciated part of most spas. The little guy is being sucked
through each and every second the hot tub is being run and he's
asked to clean your water of algae, bacteria, hair, body oils, dead
skin, bugs, dissolved solids, etc. - sounds downright disgusting,
doesn't it ? It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it !
Being that the life of a filter is a
tough one, it's best that you prepare your filter for its' daily
combat by following a few simple maintenance rules.
- Make sure that the spa runs on low
speed mode for at least three hours each day to ensure good
water circulation and turnover of the spa water (even if no one
is going to use the spa that day). This provides sufficient
filtering time for most spas. Also make sure you add Spa Shock
and Water Clarifier to the spa once per week, as this assists in
proper filtering. (Note...do not use Clarifier if using Perfect
pH).
- Make sure that you get a new (yes,
we mean NEW) filter if any of the following occur: the filter
has been used more than 12 months; the filter is gray, brown or
green; the filter looks beige or off-white, even after cleaning;
the hot tub has been transferred to a new owner; the actual
filter element (the paper-ish part) becomes flat and loses its
fibrous sheen (this means the fibers have collapsed and can no
longer filter effectively); the filter top or bottom has a crack
or split; the actual element starts to unravel or come apart.
- Rinse the filter off with a high
pressure garden hose once per week.
- Make sure you use "Scumballs"
or "Scumbugs" in your spa, as these dramatically
reduce the amount of oils that actually get into your filter.
Remember to squeeze them out after each spa use and replace them
when they deteriorate.
- Do not use any soap based cleaners
on your spa or the filter (Fantastic, Glass Plus, Windex, etc.).
Do not use car wax on your spa.
- Make sure that the filter is
seated properly in the filter compartment or skimmer. This
ensures 100% filtration of the water passing through the filter.
- Make sure you maintain proper
water chemistry at all times. Filters are good, but they're not
miracle workers and cannot actually kill off algae or bacteria !
- Make sure that the filter is fully
cleaned out every two months with a Filter Cleaner Solution.
Also fully clean filter whenever draining and refilling your
spa.
- It is a good idea to have two
filters and use them on an alternating basis - switching them
every other week. This way you can be cleaning one while you are
using the other.
- Try to keep your family members
and friends from going in the spa if they have any
one of the
following on their body (ask them to shower first): hair spray,
mousse or styling gel; deodorant or anti-perspirant; sun tan
lotion; excess sweat; skin creams of any sort (Jergens, Nivea,
Soft Sense Arthritis Cream, Ben Gey, etc.); excess soap in
bathing suits.
Actually, it's best not to wear
clothing at all in a hot tub spa because of the residual detergents
and dyes sometimes present in clothing, even after a machine wash.
These items can cloud spa water and clog filters. We do realize that
there are social situations where people feel more comfortable in
bathing suits ! Try to have your guests either rinse off their suits
with a hose prior to going in your tub or have spare bathing suits
on hand that you have washed thoroughly beforehand.
In conclusion, you do not want oils
or soaps of any kind in your spa ! Remember, a hot tub is not a bath
tub ! If guests have long hair, it is a good idea to keep a few
baseball type caps around, so they can put their hair up, under the
cap. This way you don't have to worry about hair spray or styling
gels getting into your spa water.
Following these simple handy
suggestions will greatly add to the clarity of your spa water, and
keep your filter working for months and months !
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