Regular hot tub maintenance

Hot Tub Checks and Maintenance saves money – regular maintenance saves you money. Here is a typical sample regime of hot tub maintenance. This will keep your hot tub water safe and crystal clear, minimise the amount of time and money you spend on it, and maximise the time you spend enjoying it.

Check with your retailer for the exact regime for your hot tub, some filter systems vary by manufacturer.
pH should be maintained at 7.0 to 7.6. Ideally the close to 7.0 is best.

If using Bromine: Bromine residual should be maintained at 2 to 4mg/l (ppm).

If using Inorganic Chlorine (usually Sodium Hypochlorite or Calcium Hypochlorite):
Chlorine residual to be maintained at: 2 to 4mg/l (ppm).

If using Organic Chlorine (usually Stabilised Chlorine such as DiChlor or Tri-chlor):
Chlorine residual to be maintained at: 3 to 5 mg/l (ppm).

Total Alkalinity to be maintained at:
80 to 160 ppm. (industry parameters).

Hot Tub Checks Daily

Daily checks

• The water should always be tested before use to ascertain pH and sanitiser readings. 





• Add required chemicals, as necessary, to correct any out of parameter readings, according to the manufacturer’s directions on the packaging. 





• Check the status of bromine tablets in the dispenser (if using bromine tablets) and add more if necessary. (Use pH Minus to reduce a high pH OR pH Plus to raise a low pH).

NB: Do not check pH for at least 20 minutes after the hot tub was last used to allow time for all bubbles to dissipate.

Hot Tub Checks Monthly

Monthly checks

Please note the following may need to be carried out more frequently.

•  Add a clarifying agent according to the manufacturer’s instructions to help maintain water clarity. This should not be needed always but may be required e.g. after a party.

• Check T.A. (Total Alkalinity) level and, if required, add a T.A. increase.

• Add a Scale & Stain Inhibiting agent according to the manufacturer’s instructions This helps to maintain water clarity, and to prevent scale formation and cloudy water. NB: Do not carry this out on the same day that you add the clarifying agent.

Filters

Remove the pleated filter cartridge and clean thoroughly. For more information, follow the link to our Filter Care topic How to clean a dirty hot tub filter

• Top Tip: Given that it is necessary to allow a cleaned and rinsed filter to dry out before returning it to the hot tub, it is a good idea to buy a second set of spare filters so that whilst one set are being cleaned, rinsed and dried, the second set can be in the hot tub filtering the water. This ensures that you have no downtime and you can still enjoy your hot tub whilst one set of filters are being cleaned.

Water

• Oxidise (or “shock dose” with non-chlorine shock) the hot tub with an oxidising agent according to the manufacturer’s instructions to help eliminate bather waste after heavy use.





• SuperChlorinate with a quick dissolving Calcium Hypochlorite at 20ppm for 2.5 hours to try to eliminate bacteria that may have developed a resistance to the sanitiser at normal residuals and to oxidise biological impurities in the water. NB: If the hot tub is particularly heavily used after a party, for instance, it may be necessary to oxidise more often.

• Super-chlorination using a quick-dissolving calcium hypochlorite will both oxidise to help break down Combined Chlorine and will quickly kill bacteria. Shock dosing a hot tub at 20 ppm for 2.5
  hours is recommended upon initial fill of a hot tub and monthly thereafter.





• For more information on Darlly Inline dosing pod system check out our FilterCare topic How to look after your hot tub water quality

Hot Tub Checks Ideally Monthly, But Not More Than Three Months (Maximum!)

• Completely drain the hot tub down and clean the inside of the shell with a specialist hot tub surface cleaning product. DO NOT under any circumstances use proprietary household cleaning products such as Jif, Flash, Fairy etc. The drain-down time is dependent on how heavily used it is, especially if the water chemistry becomes harder to maintain despite all your efforts or if the water looks lank, tired, and slightly musty, despite the chemistry being within the parameters.

• A hot tub will most likely see its heaviest usage in the first six months of ownership, so you will need to ensure you’re particularly diligent until it settles down to a more regular pattern of use.

ALWAYS SWITCH OFF THE POWER TO A HOT TUB WHEN REMOVING THE FILTER.

ALWAYS STORE, HANDLE, AND ADD HOT TUB CHEMICALS ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIONS ON THE MANUFACTURER’S PACKAGING. ENSURE YOU USE AND OPERATE YOUR HOT TUB ACCORDING TO THE OWNER’S MANUAL.

Learning the basics of looking after your hot tub is essential. You can also talk with a reputable retailer from BISHTA, as most offer a range of service and maintenance packages according to your needs and budgets.

Hot Tub Water treatment

Hot tub water quality, water hygiene and water hygiene management are a crucial part of routine hot tub maintenance.

Why is this? A hot tub is one of the most wonderful, therapeutic and lifestyle-enhancing home improvements that you can invest in. However, it is important to ensure the water in your hot tub is clear, clean and hygienically safe, as some potentially harmful micro-organisms could otherwise cause problems if left unchecked.

Therefore it is vital that your water is treated to BISHTA Standards. (BISHTA is The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association). The good news is that this is neither expensive nor time-consuming. To learn more, read on to discover the fact about hot tub water care.

There is a wide choice of water treatment products on the market which are safe, easy to use and reliable.  The most common types of water treatment products are sanitisers (disinfectants), oxidizers, minerals and pH balancers.

Darlly offer the adjustable SaniStream inline dosing pod system to dispense your choice of water treatment directly into the water flow.

Hot Tub Sanitisers

BISHTA recommends the continuous use of a residual sanitiser to help maintain hot tub water quality. A residual sanitiser is a substance which kills potentially harmful micro-organisms rapidly and leaves a residual in the water which can be measured. A residual sanitiser MUST be used, irrespective of any other backup equipment or substance (i.e. an ozone generator or mineral cartridge) which may be used.

The Health Protection Agencies (such as Health Protection England) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognise and consider the use of the following oxidising biocides essential: chlorine, bromine or PHMB (Biguanide) – see HSE/HPA Management of Spa Pools, Controlling the Risk of Infection.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a fast and effective sanitiser, and its biocidal properties are well-established and proven.

Darlly SaniStream® Direct Line Filtration system is a technology which combines the world’s finest hot tub filters with a safe, convenient and effective sanitiser dispenser to give an integrated spa water treatment system. 

SaniStream® is suitable for both domestic hot tubs, helping to maintain water quality and also allowing compliance with Section 76 of HSG282 regulations for hot tubs installed in holiday let units. 

Bromine

Bromine (usually BCDMH) is also available. It is popular among hot tub owners as it does not give off the ‘swimming pool odour’ some associate with Chlorine, and it’s also very effective at higher temperatures.

Bromine is available in tablet form which is suitable for the Darlly SaniStream inline dispenser.

Oxidation

Oxidation is carried out utilising a “non-chlorine shock”, which can break down some organic matter and help prevent/break down Combined Chlorine. However, mono-persulphate is not a sanitiser (or disinfectant). Non-chlorine shock can be used, for example, before a party and again afterwards; bathing does not have to cease following the application.

Super-chlorination using a quick-dissolving calcium hypochlorite will both oxidise to help break down Combined Chlorine and will quickly kill bacteria. Shock dosing a hot tub at 20 ppm for 2.5 hours is recommended upon initial fill of a hot tub and monthly thereafter. The residual chlorine needs to fall back to below 10 ppm before bathers can use the hot tub. A weekly shock dose at 10ppm with fast-dissolving calcium hypochlorite granules is a good routine which can also be applied after a party when more people than usual have used the hot tub.

pH Balancers

For your sanitiser to work most effectively and for the comfort of bathers and protection of the hot tub’s equipment, the water’s pH must be controlled. pH is, in the most basic terms, the balance between acid and alkaline substances in the water. If water is too acidic, then the water will be corrosive, and if it’s too alkaline, then there is more likelihood for damaging scale to form. pH balancers are water treatment products which allow you to easily and safely control. pH balancers need to be added gradually to achieve the correct levels.

Acids or pH reducers: Used to lower a high pH.

Alkalis or pH increases: Used to raise a low pH.

T.A. increases: Used to increase the Total Alkalinity. Total Alkalinity is a measure of the total amount of alkaline substances in the water. If it’s too high, it will make an incorrect pH difficult to adjust, and if it’s too low, then small additions of either pH reducers or pH increasers will cause the pH to swing one way and then the other rapidly. So the correct TA acts as a ‘buffer’ against this and allows you to control the pH easily, quickly and effectively.

Testing

In order to know whether you are treating water correctly and, therefore, whether it is safe and hygienic to use, it is vitally important to test your hot tub water quality daily before use to find out what the pH and sanitiser levels in your water are. You will then need to make any adjustments required, as highlighted by your test results.

There are a number of inexpensive test kits on the market which are quick, safe and reliable to use. Testing just takes a few seconds, whether by the tablet type test kit – where tablets which change colour according to readings are dropped in to a sample of the hot tub’s water; or by test strips, small strips with impregnated pads which change colour when dipped into your hot tub’s water. NB: Both test strips and test tablets have use-by dates. It is important that you only use strips and tablets that are in-date.

If you have any comments or a suggestion of a topic that you would like us to cover, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will see what we can do for you.

Happy Hot tubbing!

The Darlly Team

Sundance Spa Filter FAQ’S

Holiday hot tubs HSG282 – What is it and does it apply to me?

Holiday Let and Holiday Park hot tubs – HSG282 – Important Government Health And Safety Executive Guidelines you may need to be aware of.

HSG282 applies to Domestic-type spa pools – used as a business activity. Section 76 reads:-

’76 Domestic-type spa pools and hot tubs used as part of a business activity (eg in a holiday park rental unit or hotel bedroom(s) with their own dedicated spa, or as part of a rental agreement for a single family or group use) are subject to the general duties under the HSW Act.

Section 101 of this publication reads:-

‘101 Domestic-type systems used as part of a business activity are typically disinfected using bromine or chlorine through the use of an inline disinfectant feeder.’

Where can I get a full copy of this publication?

Follow the link below to view / download a copy of the HSG282 publication.

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg282.htm

Darlly Sanistream inline dosing filters satisfy demands of HSG282

The Darlly Sanistream inline dosing filters used with a dosing pod (SC815) and chlorine or bromine tablets will satisfy the demands of the HSE guidelines stated in HSG 282 with regards to inline chlorine or bromine feeders/dispensers.

Darlly Sanistream® filters

Our revolutionary Sanistream® Direct filtration system combines the world’s finest hot tub filters with a safe, convenient and effective sanitiser dispenser to give an integrated spa water treatment system. Sanistream® is suitable for domestic hot tubs and additionally allows compliance with Section 76 of HSG282 regulations for hot tubs installed in holiday let units. 

DL815 SpaPod

 The SpaPod is designed for use in Darlly Sanistream® filters. The SpaPod simply twist clicks into place on the bottom of the Darlly SaniStream filter lid. The Pod is a watertight canister pod capable of holding 5-6 chlorine or bromine tablets with a controllable flow output. Tablets should last 2-3 weeks in normal operation. 

Where can I find more information about Darlly filters?

Follow the links below for more information about Darlly inline sanitisation and our range of Sanistream filters:-

For inline sanitisation:- filtercare.darlly.eu/2022/07/19/inline-sanitisation-darlly-sanistream-and-spapod-what-does-it-all-mean/

To view the Darlly range of Sanistream filters:- darlly.eu/filters/sanistream-spa-filters

To view how to easy the Sanistream filters are to use:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYotQ3dny8w

Not sure of which filter you require? Head to or Filter Finder for help.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to get in contact. We will do our best to help you.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

Cheap filters for inflatable hot tubs

Inflatable Hot Tubs – Saving money on filters.

The biggest saving to be made with filters is not to buy them. Obviously, we want to enjoy our hot tubs so the next best thing is to buy fewer filters or make them last longer.

We don’t really want to leave dirty filters in the hot tub so we need to clean them. The downside of ‘cheap’ filters is that they are just that, and not robust enough to withstand cleaning.

Here at Darlly, we make our filters for inflatable hot tubs from the same durable filter material used in our range of filters for full-size hot tubs. There is no compromise on quality.

The filters are designed to be cleaned time after time, and to have a much greater lifespan than could be expected from cheaper filters.

Sure, quality filters can cost a little more initially, but after just a few weeks you can be enjoying the savings at the same time as enjoying the benefits of high quality filtration. Savings are made as a result of needing to purchase fewer filters.

How to clean inflatable-hot tub filters

The filters obviously require cleaning to enable them to filter the water efficiently.

It is reccomended to have at least two sets of filters, one fitted in the hot tub, and the other(s) in the cleaning/drying cycle.

In short, the filters will need to be washed through with clean water to remove most of the debris, and then soaked in filter cleaning fluid for a number of hours.

This should remove the contaminants from the filter fabric before the filter is again washed through with clean water to remove all traces of filter cleaner.

Cleaned filters should always be left to dry completely before they are refitted to the hot tub. This significantly reduces the amount of bacteria being reintroduced into the hot tub when the cleaned filters are refitted.

For more detailed filter cleaning information follow the link to our Filter Care Filter Cleaning Topic.

Use quality filters

All of our filters are built with tri-lobal polyester media which doesn’t tear, rip or fray. It is tough and durable, and can be washed many times over. Darlly filters for inflatable hot tubs will last you for months not just a few days or weeks. Our research has found our inflatable filters will last four to five times longer than a normal inflatable filter. 

Darlly filters are designed to withstand the harsh environments of acid ( ph minus ) chlorine and bromine. 

Whatsmore, unlike the paper filters that come standard with your Intex, Lazy spa or Cleverspa, the higher flow rates through the Darlly filters means your jets will remain more powerful for longer. 

Our manufacturing process ensures that the the pleats in your Darlly filter will not tear or bunch meaning the chemicals in your inflatable spa will be far more effective, and catching dirt, bacteria and oily substances will be done at an optimal level. 

At the end of the day, you are paying a lot less for clean, clear and fresh water in your hot tub, It makes so much sense. 

Find my filter

If you know what your filter looks like, follow the link here to view our range of filters for inflatable hot tubs.

If you have the dimensions and the end fitting types, follow the link here to our filter finder to help you find your replacement filters.

Where can I get Darlly hot tub filters?

Follow the link here to find your nearest Darlly filter stockist.

Find your local Darlly stockist here

If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We will do our best to help.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

Hydropool Serenity Wave hot tub filter

Help! I have a kidney-shape Hydropool Serenity hot tub filter and I need a replacement! Where can I find one?

You’re in luck! You’ve come to the right place.

Here at Darlly, we have quality replacement filters for your Hydropool Serenity hot tub.

The replacement Darlly Wave filter is designed to withstand the water pressure present in a hot tub and provide efficient and reliable water filtration.

Will this filter collapse?

The short answer to this is no. This filter benefits from Darlly’s usual robustness and build quality that our customers expect.

The Darlly Wave filter is a non-collapsing design. Its strength and durability ensures that it can easily perform as it is designed to do without problem.

Can the Darlly Hydropool Serenity Wave filter replace two round filters that replaced the original failing Wave filter?

Yes. This filter replaces either two round filters or the original similarly shaped Serenity Wave filter.

Two round filters were offered and supplied by Serenity as a ‘fix’ for the original shape filter that was sometimes known to collapse.

The strength, durability and build quality of the Darlly Wave filter ensure a long and reliable service life and able to withstand many cleaning cycles.

Which Hydropool Serenity hot tubs is this filter suitable for?

The Darlly filter SC859 filter is suitable for Hydropool Serenity 4300, 4500, 5900, 6600, and 6800 hot tubs.

Find more information about the Darlly SC859 Serenity Wave filter here.

Find my nearest Darlly Filter supplier.

Darlly manufacture a comprehensive range of quality filters covering almost every hot tub specification imaginable. But what filter does my Hot Tub Use?

Nordic Hot Tub Filter FAQ’S

To discover more details, dimensions etc, about any of our quality filters, simply type the filter number into the search bar at the top of the Darlly website pages or head over to the Darlly Filter Finder.

Happy Hot Tubbing

The Darlly Team

When to replace hot tub filters

Treat yourself and your hot tub pumps with new filters this spring!

Start the year as you mean to go on, enjoying crystal clear water with high quality Darlly filters.

When did you last replace your hot tub filters?

End of last year? Beginning of last year? Earlier? What condition are they in now, and more to the point, are they still capable of efficiently filtering out the contaminants in the water to give you the most relaxing and enjoyable bathing experience?

Enjoyment of the hot tub experience is most definitely enhanced by clear clean water.

Protecting the hot tub pumps

Your expensive hot tub pumps will also benefit from the protection offered by regularly maintained high quality filters. Contaminants and debris present in the water will be efficiently removed from the flow reducing the possibility of damage being caused to the pumps. Dirt and debris as well as an abnormal pH level can have a detrimental effect on the life expectancy of the pumps.

Hot tub without a filter

Without an efficient filter, the water would soon become contaminated with debris from the environment (dust, leaves, insects etc) and contaminants from the hot tub users such as sunscreen, tanning products, make-up, deodorant, body oils, dirt, hair etc.

Without efficient filtration, these contaminants would soon build up to a critical level in the water. If left unaddressed, the bathing water can become cloudy and algae growth is a possibility. This can upset the balance of the water and chemical usage increases in trying to deal with the problem, which in turn hastens water saturation to the point where the chemicals cease to be effective. As a result, the water can then become damaging to the hot tub mechanicals and/or affect the surface feel of the hot tub moulding.

Darlly Filters

In addition to the range of standard filters, Darlly also manufacture Darlly Sanistream in-line dosing filters that can add bromine of chorine directly into the flow.

Darlly Silverstream filters in which the filter media is impregnated with silver ion particles which help to reduce bacteria both suspended in the water and also collected by the filter.

Follow the link to view the Darlly range of quality filters for your hot tub.

https://darlly.eu/filters

Find My Filter

If you aren’t sure of which filter you need, grab your filter dimensions, note the top and bottom fitting then head to our easy-to-use Filter Finder for help. 

https://filterfinder.darlly.eu/filter

If you have any questions or a topic you would like us to cover, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help!

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

At last! The rain has stopped, the chilly breeze has gone to bother someone else, and there is a hint of blue sky and sunshine. If you haven’t already, it probably won’t be long before you mind starts thinking about moving the dead leaves onto the compost heap, dusting off the hot tub, and enjoying the warmth of the water. Let’s get outdoors again and enjoy the space!

Let’s start with the hot tub.

Safety first! Ensure that the electrical supply is safe, sound, undamaged and in perfect working order!  Seek expert help and advice if required.

Next, flush the hot tub pipelines through with a garden hosepipe. It is a good idea to let the first few minutes of hosepipe water to flow onto the garden (or elsewhere) to minimise the possibility of having any bacteria that may have accumulated in the hosepipe being put into the hot tub.

Clean the inside of the hot tub shell with a clean cloth, and ONLY use cleaning materials as recommended by the spa manufacturer designed specifically for use in hot tubs. Never use regular kitchen or bathroom cleaning products.

With a suitable wet and dry vac, vacuum the pipework, jets, blowers, and heaters to remove any debris, dirt, and cobwebs.

It is a good idea to remove the jets and check to make sure they are clean. Especially the area behind the jets.

Before filling the hot tub, don’t forget to replace the drain plugs from the pump to stop leaking. Also, check any compression fittings are also correctly fitted again.

Fill the hot tub with water through the skimmer or filter area, ensuring that the hose does not sit in the water (there should always be a gap between the end of the hose and the surface of the water to conform with WRAS Water Regulations).

Add chlorine (or bromine) to the filter area as the water is filling and add more chlorine (or bromine) while the hot tub continues to fill with water (but NEVER mix these two neat chemicals!). Depending on the water pressure and the volume of water needed for the hot tub, this could typically take anywhere between 1 – 3 hours, but the hot tub should never be left unattended for any length of time in case of any issues arising.

All the time the hot tub is filling, check for any water leaks on the ground and inside the cabinet. Some hot tubs may require the pump to be bled, using the key on the wet end of the pump prior to starting the circulation.

The water should be heated to the desired temperature and should be tested for sanitiser level (chlorine or bromine), pH and alkalinity, and appropriate chemicals added to bring these parameters into line with industry standards.

Filters next. What did you do with your existing filters at the end of last season? Were they all cleaned, dried, and stored away in a clean environment in preparation for this season or do they need replacing? Read our Filter Care topics for more information on Darlly quality filters.

If you are planning to use your existing filters, don’t forget to take this opportunity to give them a thorough inspection to check the integrity of the filter material for splits, rips, tears, or holes and for any dirt or debris hiding deep inside the pleats. 

Have you considered using Darlly Sanistream filters if you don’t already enjoy the benefits?

Darlly Europe’s revolutionary Sanistream® Direct filtration system is a new and unique technology which combines the world’s finest hot tub filters with a safe, convenient, and effective sanitiser dispenser to give an integrated spa water treatment system. Sanistream® is suitable for domestic hot tubs and it also allows compliance with Section 76 of HSG282 regulations for hot tubs installed in holiday let units. This system uses the DL815 SpaPod in combination with a Sanistream filter.

The SpaPod works with Darlly Sanistream® filters. The SpaPod simply twist clicks into place on the bottom of the Darlly SaniStream filter lid. This watertight canister is capable of holding 5-6 chlorine or bromine tablets with a controllable flow output. The tablets should last, with normal operation, 2-3 weeks.

Easy to use, safer sanitation and cost effective. SpaPod does not come with any Chlorine or Bromine, simply add your choice when necessary. 

Your hot tub is now ready to use all year round, so relax and enjoy your surroundings!

Don’t forget your Darlly Duck to help keep your hot tub clean!

You may prefer to seek the help of a professional company to undertake the re-commissioning of your hot tub. BISHTA has a list of members that will be able to assist you, visit www.bishta.co.uk

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team 

Remember if you need any help finding your Pool or Hot Tub Filter visit here filterfinder.darlly.eu

Darlly manufacture a comprehensive range of quality filters covering almost every hot tub specification imaginable. But what filter does my Marquis Hot Tub Use?

For many applications, we offer more than one option in each size to suit your requirement.  

The table above shows the filter(s) available for each of the models listed. All options are listed for each of the Marquis hot tubs.

The Filter Style column indicates both the fitting of the filter, and the approximate square-feet measurement of the filter material.

The Darlly filter column indicates the Darlly filter numbers available for the listed hot tub. 

‘What is the difference between the listed filters for each hot tub?’ I hear you shout.  Let us take an example of each and explain.

The SC719 for instance, is your standard high-quality Darlly filter.

The SC719-S is a Darlly Silverstream filter (note the -S designation). These filters have Silver Ion Technology is impregnated into the filter material offering antimicrobial protection for the filter and bather. On Darlly filters, this filter material is blue.

A filter number starting with DL, such as DL703, is a Sanistream filter. The Sanistream Direct Line Filtration system combines the worlds finest hot tub filters with a safe, convenient, and effective sanitiser dispenser to give an integrated spa water treatment system. Sanistream is suitable for domestic hot tubs and it also allows compliance with section 76 of HSG282 regulations for hot tubs installed in holiday let units.

For the Marquis Swim Spa filter please search for the SC858-S.

To discover more details, dimensions etc, about any of our quality filters, simply type the filter number into the search bar at the top of the Darlly website pages.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team