How should I look after my holiday let hot tub filters? – Holiday Let
Holiday Lets hot tubs require a higher level of maintenance, service and monitoring than your domestic hot tub. Completely looking after and properly maintaining holiday let hot tubs is beyond the scope of this topic. Today, we’re just discussing the filter aspect of hot tub care and the advantages and cost benefits of using quality filters. Also included here are a couple of pointers towards the care of hot tubs in a commercial environment
To clean and inspect your filter cartridges
Cartridge filter – Definition: A replaceable filter used in domestic-type spa pools and constructed from pleated paper or wound fibres, through which water is passed for filtration.
Remove the pleated filter cartridge and soak in a specific Cartridge Cleaner that is both acidic and a degreaser. This avoids the need for “Hosing off” with its attendant Legionella Risk from aerosolised water droplets. Gently wash off the Cartridge and then allow to dry. Hence the need for 2 sets of filter cartridges. NB: Do not use a pressure washer for this task and ensure that the power to the hot tub is turned off while the filter is removed from the hot tub. See also our topic ‘How to clean a hot tub filter’ in the ‘Filter care’ section of our website.
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 practice to have a spare second set of filters so that whilst one set is being cleaned, rinsed, and dried, the second set is in the hot tub filtering the water. This ensures that you can minimise cleaning downtime and the hot tub experience can be enjoyed whilst the removed filters are being cleaned.
As with most things in life, high quality products often prove to be a more cost effective solution by being more efficient and having a long service life than a cheap product. A high-quality Darlly filter with durable and efficient filter material provides you with the quality water filtration that you and your customers demand and deserve enhancing enjoyment of the holiday hot tub experience.
The winner of the Spa Product Of The Year Gold Award at the 2018 UK Pool & Spa Awards in Birmingham by Darlly marked the latest milestone in the rise of Darlly Europe’s unique and ground-breaking SaniStream® Direct Line Filtration system. The SaniStream system, is a high quality Darlly hot tub filter, combined with an adjustable and refillable chlorine or bromine tablet erosion feeder, called SpaPod®, to make a highly effective combined, integrated hot tub water treatment system. The SaniStream® system offers a solution to the problem posed to holiday let owners and operators by Section 76 of health and safety guidelines, HSG282, which states that hot tubs installed in a setting where used ‘… as part of a business activity (e.g. 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)’ must be ‘disinfected using bromine or chlorine through the use of an in-line disinfectant feeder’.
The big issue with Sec. 76 of HSG282 is that few hot tubs sold on the UK market feature inline disinfectant feeders. Worse still, HSG282 made no legacy-exemption provision, meaning many thousands of hot tubs already in the field became non-compliant overnight.
Find out more information about complete hot tub care, including water care by following the links below.
www.bishta.co.uk British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub association.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg282.htm The HSE guidelines for hot tubs.
Excerpt below is on P.22 of the above document.
Domestic-type spa pools – used as a business activity
76. Domestic-type spa pools or 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. There is a legal requirement for these systems to be managed and controlled in proportion to the risk and the risk assessment should consider the type of pool and its use. Domestic-type spa pools are for use by a small, discrete group of people at any one time and are typically:
– of either a rigid or inflatable/foam-filled structure with freeboard and skimmer.
– systems where the water should be changed after each rental/week, whichever is the shorter.
– disinfected using bromine or chlorine through the use of an inline disinfectant feeder.
Filtration
95. Filtration is necessary to ensure adequate water clarity can be maintained through the removal of suspended particulate matter/debris in the water. Filtration is a means of entrapping particles mechanically and/or through absorption onto a filter medium. There are several types of system in common use and the choice of system type and size should reflect the anticipated type of use, circulation rate and bather load. Spa pools will typically only require one filtration system but multiple units and types in sequence may be appropriate, depending upon the local circumstances.
Cartridge filters – Cartridge filters are systems of tightly packed filter media such as fibreglass or paper in a demountable unit. They are small units and typically would only be used in domestic-type spa pools where the bather load and anticipated level of particulate matter was low. The design and installation should allow for removal of the cartridge for regular chemical cleaning, drying and periodic replacement.
Excerpt Ends.
If you have any questions about our filters, please do not hesitate to get in contact, we’re always willing to help
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
I don’t know the code for my filters, how can I find a replacement?
Well, the time has come to change the filters in your hot tub and for the life of you, you just can’t remember the part number of the filter. There isn’t a number on the filter, you didn’t retain the packaging or the label from the last time and you don’t know how to identify them. Relax! You’ve come to the right place.
Our up-to-date online catalogue lists our complete range of filters with the dimensions and thread type or fitting.
To help us identify your filter, let us get some information together to help us find your replacement.
We can use some or all of the following :- dimensions, fitting, manufacturers numbers, thread type (if any), hot tub manufacturer, brand etc. Does it have a closed top, a handle, open top?
To get the dimensions, check the guide below for help how to measure the filter.
There are a couple of ways to find the filter you need now, both from the home page of our website Darlly.eu Hover above the FILTERS dropdown then select the type of filter you are searching for.
The ‘Find your filter’ helper is on the left hand side now. Scroll down here to select any relevant details to search for your filter. If this doesn’t find your exact filter, take a look inside our latest online brochure.
Open the latest filter brochure from the home page on the darllyfilters.co.uk/brochure website. Scroll down to the ‘Find Your Filter’ pages then search with the information you have to identify your filter.
If you have your hot tub brand, you can use this to narrow the search.
Who the Quack is Darlly Duck?
People will say we are Quackers, but we are delighted to introduce you to Darlly Duck.
Darlly Duck is an incredibly talented fellow!
He prevents scum lines from forming, which eliminates the need to scrub the acrylic shell of the spa.
He reduces contaminates from clogging your filters and if that was not enough, he absorbs 40 times his own weight in oils, lotions, and cosmetics.
Darlly Duck likes to float freely and clean up, when one side is dirty, turn him over and he will continue his mission. Every now and again Darlly Duck likes to be rinsed to keep him clean. Go on, give a home to a Darlly Duck now and let him do the dirty work for you.
So now you know, we really are Quackers.
Quack Quack…
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
What are Spa Cocktails and do they affect my water chemistry?
This topic isn’t strictly hot tub filter related, but it could help improve your hot tub experience and enjoyment with a splash of fun!
We have been trying to make spa filters sexy for quite some time now and at last we think we have achieved it!
With our new unique Dead Sea salt crystals in a fabulous range of aromas giving a cocktail feel to your spa relaxation session.
Dead Sea salt was used by the peoples of Ancient Egypt and has a different mineral composition to most oceanic salt. It contains minerals claimed to treat rheumatologic conditions, common skin ailments such as acne and psoriasis, and may help relieve allergic reactions by reducing inflammation.
Darlly Spa Cocktails are available in seven enticing gentle aromas:
Available in jars of 500gm and pouches of 80gm. One pouch will be sufficient for three uses.
The Darlly Spa Cocktails are Spa-Safe, Oil-Free, will not clog filters or jets and will not affect the water chemistry.
Which cocktail experience do you prefer?
Enjoy your hot tub with a hint of the ancient and the exotic!
If you have an idea or a suggestion for a hot tub filter related topic you would like us to cover, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will see what we can do to help. We would love to hear from you!
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
How long should a hot tub filter last for?
How long can I reasonably expect my hot tub filters to last, what is a realistic lifespan?
Now, there’s the $64,000 question!
There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of hot tub filters, a great deal of which we, the user, have control over and so it is mostly down to us.
Let’s start at the top with this one – Filter quality. This is arguably the most important factor involved in filter longevity. Not only is the filtration quality important, the robustness and durability of the filter material is also key. This has a great impact on the number of times that the filter can be cleaned. A more durable filter material can be cleaned more times without damage and ‘wear and tear’ occurring than a cheaper poor-quality filter which is less able to sustain the cleaning and brushing required to return the filter to an acceptable state whilst still maintaining its original filtration qualities.
Darlly filters contain a high-quality durable filter material which ensures a longer service life able to tolerate many cleaning cycles without losing strength, integrity, and efficiency.
Regular and careful filter maintenance. The filters should be inspected and cleaned at regular intervals. It is important not to let the filters get too ‘overloaded’ or ‘clogged’ as this will have a detrimental effect not only on the filter but also on water quality.
The filters should be thoroughly and sympathetically cleaned to maintain the filtration efficiency, which, let’s face it, is the reason they are there!
The filters should be removed and gently washed and brushed before soaking in a filter cleaning solution. Gently does it so as not to cause physical damage to the filter.
Use the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner (SC785) filter cleaner and detergent to truly clean the filters. You wouldn’t wash your clothes without detergent
For continuous hot tub enjoyment, having two sets of filters gives you the opportunity to quickly change the filters and then immediately continue enjoying your hot tub. The removed filters can then be cleaned and allowed to dry at a more convenient time. It is important the allow the filters to dry completely before refitting back into the hot tub.
The spare filters should be stored in a dry dust and dirt-free environment, after all, we want the filters to remove contaminants not add them!
Now, let us have a think about what we are asking the filters to do. What do we imagine that the filters will be removing from the water? There is probably a lot more being asked of the filter than we might first imagine. Dust? Dirt? Leaves? Yep, and more!
What about make-up, sunscreen, body fats, fake-tan, body dirt?
It is recommended that people shower before enjoying the hot tub as this will reduce the contaminants carried into the hot tub water. It’s all about maintaining water quality.
Taking these precautions such as regular gentle filter cleaning, reducing contaminants entering the water and generally maintaining water quality will help your filters work efficiently and considerably extend their service life. As you can see, caring for your filters can help then care for you!
Please see our other topics on Filter care, including ‘How to clean a dirty hot tub filter’.
Find out more about quality Darlly filters on our website Darllyfilters.co.uk
We hope that this topic has been helpful. If you have any suggestions for future hot tub filter topics, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we will do our best to help you!
Happy Hot tubbing!
The Darlly Team
How do I change my hot tub filters?
Well, it’s time to change the hot tub filters. How should I do this? I don’t want to damage anything!
There’s nothing to fear here. This is a simple, quick and easy operation.
Firstly, how long can we expect the filters to last and how often should I change them?
If you are using your hot tub two or three times per week, you can expect quality Darlly filters to last twelve months or more depending on usage. During this time, you should be routinely gently cleaning the filters at regular intervals. Regular inspections should give you a good indication of cleaning intervals required for your hot tub usage.
Darlly filters contain a high-quality durable filter material which ensures a longer service life, meaning they can tolerate many cleaning cycles without losing strength, integrity and efficiency.
Dependent on the specification of your hot tub, there may be one or two filters.
To change the filters, the pumps should be turned OFF.
Remove the filter housing lid which normally unscrews or unclips.
Next remove the leaf-catcher basket if fitted (without letting the debris into the water) This reveals the filter(s) beneath.
Carefully remove the filter without disturbing any debris captured in the filter. Depending on the filter, this will now either unscrew or just lift out with a slight twist just to release it.
When fitting new filters, if the filters have one or more thin bands around circumference of the filter pleats, this is part of the filter construction and should be left attached as it maintains the separation of the pleats.
After checking for any debris remaining in the filter area, the replacement filter(s) can now be fitted in place, ensuring bottom of filter is pushed on and is seated correctly or screwed down securely.
Refit the leaf catcher basket and the filter housing lid ensuring that everything is fitted as designed and is secure.
Please see our other topics on filter care, including ‘How to clean a dirty hot tub filter’.
For continuous hot tub enjoyment, having two sets of filters gives you the opportunity to quickly change the filters and then immediately continue enjoying your hot tub. The removed filters can then be cleaned and allowed to dry at a more convenient time. It is important the allow the filters to dry completely before refitting back into the hot tub.
If you will be cleaning the filters you have just removed, don’t forget to use the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner (SC785) filter cleaner and detergent to truly clean the filters. You wouldn’t wash your clothes without detergent.
We hope that this topic has been helpful. If you have any suggestions for future hot tub filter topics, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we will do our best to help you!
Happy Hot Tubbing!!!!
The Darlly Team
How should a holiday park look after hot tub filters?
Welcome to Darlly’s ‘How should I look after holiday park hot tub filters?’ topic.
Holiday park hot tubs require a higher level of maintenance, service and monitoring than your domestic hot tub. Looking after and properly maintaining holiday park hot tubs is beyond the scope of this topic. Today, we’re just discussing filters and the advantages and cost benefits of using quality filters.
Here at Darlly we recommend any commercial holiday let follow the guidelines of HSG 282.
How To clean and inspect your filter cartridges
The HSG282’S definition of a hot tub filter is listed below in italic.
Cartridge filter – A replaceable filter used in domestic-type spa pools and constructed from pleated paper or wound fibres, through which water is passed for filtration.
This paragraph is our recommended way of dealing with filters in a commercial setting. Remove the pleated filter cartridge and soak in a specific Cartridge Cleaner that is both acidic and a degreaser. This avoids the need for “Hosing off” with its attendant Legionella Risk from aerosolised water droplets. Gently wash off the Cartridge and then allow to dry. Hence the need for 2 sets of filter cartridges. NB: Do not use a pressure washer for this task and ensure that the power to the hot tub is turned off while the filter is removed from the hot tub. See also our topic ‘How to clean a hot tub filter’ in the ‘Filter care’ section of our website.
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 do not have any downtime and you can still enjoy your hot tub whilst one set of filters are being cleaned.
As with most things in life, a high quality item can prove to be a more cost effective solution by being more efficient and having a long service life. A high-quality Darlly filter with durable and efficient filter material provides you with the quality water filtration that you and your customers demand and deserve.
Find out more information about complete hot tub care, including water care by following the links below.
British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub association
The HSE guidelines for hot tubs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg282.htm
Excerpt below is on P.22 of the above document.
Domestic-type spa pools – used as a business activity
76 Domestic-type spa pools or 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. There is a legal requirement for these systems to be managed and controlled in proportion to the risk and the risk assessment should consider the type of pool and its use. Domestic-type spa pools are for use by a small, discrete group of people at any one time and are typically:
– Of either a rigid or inflatable/foam-filled structure with freeboard and skimmer.
– Systems where the water should be changed after each rental/week, whichever is the shorter.
– Disinfected using bromine or chlorine through the use of an inline disinfectant feeder.
Filtration
95 Filtration is necessary to ensure adequate water clarity can be maintained through the removal of suspended particulate matter/debris in the water. Filtration is a means of entrapping particles mechanically and/or through absorption onto a filter medium. There are several types of system in common use and the choice of system type and size should reflect the anticipated type of use, circulation rate and bather load. Spa pools will typically only require one filtration system but multiple units and types in sequence may be appropriate, depending upon the local circumstances.
Cartridge filters – Cartridge filters are systems of tightly packed filter media such as fibreglass or paper in a demountable unit. They are small units and typically would only be used in domestic-type spa pools where the bather load and anticipated level of particulate matter was low. The design and installation should allow for removal of the cartridge for regular chemical cleaning, drying and periodic replacement.
If you have any questions about our filters, please do not hesitate to get in contact, we’re always willing to help
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
How To Measure a Hot Tub Filter?
When searching for replacement hot tub filters, if you do not have the part number of the quality Darlly filters required, use our quick-to-use comprehensive ‘Find your filter’ helper pages in our online catalogue. By using measurements and by matching the thread type pictures, you should be able to find the quality Darlly filter you and your hot tub deserve.
You can use the dimensions that you have to help get to the required filter. How do you measure a filter? Easy! Follow our easy-to-use guide below showing how to measure the relevant dimensions and identify the thread type, if any. All measurements are in cm.
How to measure External diameter for a filter
This is the measurement across the filter from edge to edge. This example is 12cm.
How to measure hot tub filter Length
Measure the length of the filter but do not include the handle or thread.
How to measure internal/Inside diameter for hot tub filter
Different hot tub filter Thread and fitting types (bottom of filter)
There are number of different types of fitting and thread types available. Filters can have male and female threads which can be coarse or fine, and possibly tapered.
Photo shows male threads, fine on the left hand side and coarse on the right hand side.
Measure the thread diameter. This is the inner edges of the hole of the male thread. For a female thread, measure the inner diameter.
The Fine Thread (MPT) has from 6 – 8 fine twists (Pleatco ends P4 or F2M) whereas the Coarse Thread (SAE) will have as little as only 3 thicker threads (Pleatco ends P3 or F2S).
Hot Tub Filter Male thread diameter measurement
Hot Tub Filter Female thread diameter measurement
Tops-From left to right- open (Hole), closed top, handle, removable lid handle
Now identify the top of your filter. Match it against one of the four main types shown in the photo to identify the type of top.
If you know the name of your hot tub manufacturer, this can help too.
Now that we have this information, we can now delve into the Darlly website or online brochure ‘Find Your Filter’ pages. Nearly there!
There are a couple of ways to find the filter you need now, both from the home page of our website Darlly.eu (Hover above the FILTERS dropdown then select the type of filter you are searching for)
The ‘Find your filter’ helper is on the left hand side now. Scroll down here to select any relevant details to search for your filter. If this doesn’t find your exact filter, take a look inside our latest online brochure.
Open the latest filter brochure from the home page on the Darlly.eu website. Scroll down to the ‘Find Your Filter’ pages then search with the information you have to identify your filter.
If you have your hot tub brand, you can use this to narrow the search.
The main identification chart will enable you to identify the exact filter you have using the top, bottom, length and diameter measurements of your existing filter.
If you also have the filter manufacturers part number, you can cross check this with the part numbers listed against the appropriate Darlly filter.
To find your local Darlly filter stockist, click on ‘Stockist’ on the homepage and either enter address or zoom in on the map.
All genuine Darlly filters have the part number printed on the end cap (eg “60401”)
Also the label on the wrapper will have all details. (Please keep safe this for your next filter change) Pleatco and Unicel will also sometimes have the part number on the end cap. Our brochure and website www.darlly.eu contain all of the part numbers to help you.
However, should you be without any part number after following the identification guide above and using our ‘Find a Filter’ guide using your measurements and brand identities, simply call us on +44 (0)1952 – 580500 we would be delighted to help you.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Why does a hot tub need filters?
Enjoyment of the hot tub experience is most definitely enhanced by clear clean water.
Knowing common contaminants and how they can enter the water can help us to understand the reasoning behind the need for high quality filtration and water care.
The way filters work is quite simple. Dirty or contaminated water is pumped through the filter which then collects dirt, body oils and debris from the flow, the dirt is trapped within the filter and the filtered water is returned to the hot tub.
Without a filter, the water would soon become contaminated with contaminants from the environment (dust, leaves, insects etc) and from the hot tub users (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 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.
In addition to the range of standard filters, Darlly also manufacture 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.
To view our range of filters click here.
We are adding new topics regularly to our Filter Care pages so remember to drop by to read more articles about how to care for your hot tub filters.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Why are Darlly inflatable filters better value for money?
Our filters last a season. . . not a week.
All of our inflatable filters are built with tri-lobal polyester media, that does not tear, does not fray and can be washed over and over. Darlly inflatable filters 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.
They can 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 flow rates that are allowed to run through the filter means your jets will remain more powerful for longer.
Due to the superior manufacturing process the pleats in your Darlly filter will not tear or bunch meaning 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 end up paying a lot less for clean, clear and fresh water in your hot tub, It makes so much sense.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team