Looking for cheap hot tub filters? Wanting to save money? Let’s think about the ‘save money’ part. Is buying and using cheap filters really going to save money and give you the hot tub experience you deserve? Imagine having top quality filters to give you a better bathing experience AND saving money. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it?

Read on to discover how easy it is…….

Let’s compare ‘Cheap filters’ with quality Darlly filters

Let’s compare ‘Cheap filters’ with quality Darlly filters. There are a few important and interesting points to take into consideration here.  

Cheap filters are, obviously, cheaper to buy than Darlly quality-filters.

Think about this though. How soon will you need to replace the cheap filters?

Not only do all Darlly filters have very high quality filter material as standard, they are also strong and robust, and easily able to withstand thorough cleaning time after time.

Filter Change Time

At filter change time, instead of needing to replace worn-out and/or damaged  cheap filters with more cheap filters, just clean the quality Darlly filters ready for re-use.

For information about cleaning your hot tub filters, follow the link to the Darlly Filter Care filter cleaning topic. 

Cheap Hot Tub Filters v. Quality Darlly Hot Tub Filters

The quality of the filter material plays a huge part in your hot tub enjoyment.

The ability of the filter material to remove dirt and contaminants from the water you bathe in plays a major part in maintaining high water quality.

Cheap filters of unknown quality may well not have the ability to capture the seen and unseen contaminants that you would hope.

Think about the cost of replacing cheap filters two, three, four or more times more often than quality Darlly filters. Which filters are the most cost effective now?

All filters are not the same, and can vary enormously in both construction and  filter material quantity and quality. 

When comparing a Darlly filter with a physically similarly sized cheaper filter, the Darlly filter was found to have around 20% more filter material. This not only helps with time between filter changes but can also help with water flow rate.

Two sets of Hot Tub Filters?

Remember that it is recommended that you use two sets of filters, one in the hot tub and the other in the cleaning drying cycle. For more information, read our Filter Care Topic Why You Should Let Hot Tub Filters Dry After Cleaning. 

Anything else that might be of interest?

We have additional interesting information, and many other relevant topics to help you with hot tub and filter care, which you may find interesting, on our Darlly Filter Care Topics page. Take a quick look, there may just be something that can help improve your hot tub experience. What’s not to like?

Where Can I Find More Information About Darlly Filters?

Our website has all the information you will need to discover more about the Darlly range of filters and also has the the Darlly Filter Finder to help you identify the filters that you need.

If you have any questions or suggestions for topics that you would like us to cover on our Filter Care Topics page, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We will do what we can to help.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

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

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

Today, we are looking at the efficiency and performance advantage of the SC785 Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner compared to a basic device.

The Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner brush has been designed to clean your hot tub filters quickly and efficiently. The unit attaches to a standard garden hose connector and has the facility to dispense filter cartridge cleaner directly into the water stream to penetrate deep inside the filter pleats, and at the same time removing dirt and debris with the brush.

Darlly Filter Cartridge Cleaner (SC796) can be added to the Cyclone dispenser via the screw cap on the handle.

The Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner separates the pleats of the filter material, brushing between them efficiently whilst spraying with water and filter cartridge cleaner dispensed by the unit. 

We can compare this with a different design of tool, pictured below, featuring hard moulded plastic fingers and without a brush or the option to dispense cartridge filter cleaner fluid into the waterstream.

As can be seen in the photo below, when inserted into the filter the fingers appear to gather several pleats together between the plastic fingers on each cleaning stroke, thus closing those pleats and with the possibility of allowing the retention of some dirt and contamination rather than separating the pleats to allow efficient cleaning of the filter and also without the option of adding filter cleaning fluid to the water to clean away the dirt, grease and grime.

To summarise, it can be seen that the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner can be more effective at separating the filter material pleats with a brush to allow the water jets with added cartridge filter cleaner to work more efficiently removing the dirt and contaminants collected by the filter than a basic device without these features.

The Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner has two rows of brushes, a built-in detergent dispenser and water jets to help with your routine hot tub maintenance.

For more information on hot tub filter care, see our other Filter Care topics and FAQ’s.

Happy Hot Tubbing! 

The Darlly Team 

The Christmas and New Year holidays are approaching fast, just where does the time go?

Hopefully you are fully booked, and your guests are looking forward to spending some quality chill-time in the hot tub.

Holiday Lets hot tubs require a higher level of maintenance, service, and monitoring than your domestic hot tub so it is worth just spending a few minutes ensuring that not only are you compliant with the regulations but that your guests will have a most wonderful and enjoyable hot tub experience.

Remember to have enough clean filters on hand to allow a swift change between guests. It is good practise to have more than one set of filters available, to allow one set to be in the hot tub and another set in the cleaning and drying cycle.

For more in-depth information, see our filter care topic ‘Holiday Let – How should I look after my holiday-let hot tub filters?’ where you will find information about Holiday-Lets filter care, regulations and also the SaniStream® Direct Line Filtration system which satisfies Section 76 of HSG282 guidelines.

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.

Have you considered Darlly Spa Cocktails for a little something

extra for the holiday hot tub experience for your guests?

Spa Cocktails are exhilarating and relaxing. Using a combination of aromatherapy spa crystals including essential oils, fine fragrances and other natural substances including Dead Sea Salts; working together to awaken the senses.
Available in 500g jars, and now available in 80g pouches which are perfect for consumers to try the Spa Cocktail experience and are perfect for the Holiday Resort sector. Spa Cocktails granules are spa safe, oil-free will not clog filters or jets, and will not affect water chemistry.

This could be a pleasant surprise for your guests!

If you have any questions about our filters, or suggestions for more Filter Care topics, please do not hesitate to get in contact, we’re always willing to help.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

(Photo courtesy of Chaletcraft)

The big day is approaching, and you are planning your exciting festive activities for your Christmas and New Year break. Just how exciting can it be?!Will you be enjoying your hot tub during the holiday? 

Do you drain your hot tub for the winter months or do you enjoy the benefits all year round? If you usually drain the hot tub for the cooler months, have you considered enjoying a few relaxing Christmas and New Year dips with your family and friends in your hot tub? String out the outdoor Christmas lights, switch on the garden Christmas tree, create the festive spirit and enhance the holiday mood to create the perfect setting to take a break away from the food, television and annoying adverts J. Read our Darlly Filter Care ‘How do I prepare my hot tub for a party?’ topic for a little help about how to enjoy great water quality and to create the best bathing experience. Don’t forget to try our Darlly Spa Cocktails, simply choose your flavour and add to the water for that little added extra! Happy Hot Tubbing!! 

The Darlly Team  

How important is hot tub water quality and how can it affect my skin? This, amongst other things, probably isn’t something that we immediately think about in the excitement of getting into the hot tub, but should we?

The simple answer is yes if you enjoy regular bathing in your hot tub.

We all enjoy the relaxation, the physical and the social benefits of our hot tubs, and with a little attention to water quality, we can also help care for our skin.

The items most important for water quality that we should be looking at are the filtration, chemicals, balance, pH and temperature.

Hot water can remove your skin’s natural body oils leaving it feeling coarse and dry. Excessive heat can harm and cause lasting damage to your skin. Water temperature ideally needs to be comfortable but without being too hot for your skin.

Skin can redden if exposed to excessive heat.

Also, if sanitiser levels are not maintained to the correct level, bacteria can thrive possibly causing skin conditions or worse.

Sanitiser levels are very important to maintaining high water quality and a healthy environment in which to bathe. 

Read our filter care topic How do I check and maintain the water quality for more detailed information and explanations about what to test, how to remedy any problems and improve water quality if required. 

Remember to shower after leaving the hot tub to wash away any bromine or chlorine remaining on your skin.

Don’t forget your dead-sea-salt based Darlly Cocktails to add just a little extra to your bathing experience.

For more information on how to look after your filters, Sanistream Filters and Inline sanitization, read our other Darlly filter care topics about how to maintain your hot tub water quality, What is the difference between chlorine and bromine, Darlly Spa Cocktails, Darlly filter care, How do I check and maintain the water quality, How to clean a hot tub filter, and of course, how Darlly Duck can help.

If you have any suggestions for other Filter Care topics that we haven’t covered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will see what we can do for you! 

Happy healthy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team 

Most of us have heard the term ‘Hard water’ but what actually is it?  

The definition of water hardness is ‘The amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water’. This is usually formed when water percolates through natural deposits of limestone, chalk, or gypsum.

Tap water hardness differs between geographical areas throughout the country.

Our tap water usually supplied from one of two main water sources. 

One source is from reservoirs that collect water from rivers and streams and natural rainwater run-off from the hills and mountains. This is usually classed as ‘soft water’.

The other is water sourced from aquafers and abstracted from ground sources. This water has usually percolated through limestone, chalk or gypsum and absorbed some of these natural minerals. This is classed as hard water.

Hard water is usually most noticeable at home by limescale in the kettle. Limescale is the result of hardwater. In the UK, water is hardest in central, eastern, and south-east England.

Now that we know what hard water is, how does this affect your hot tub?

Hard water can lead to limescale deposits forming in the hot tub, especially around the water heating elements. Calcium carbonate deposits rapidly increase at temperatures in excess of 60 centigrade, but can also form in cold water such as cold water tanks and WC cisterns.

Soft water can be the cause of water foaming and corrosion of metal parts within the hot tub system. In addition to scaling and deposits, hard water can also be the cause of cloudy water in the hot tub

How is water hardness measured? 

The unit of measure is mg/l (milligrams per litre) or PPM (parts per million).

The ideal calcium (hardness) level in your hot tub is between 200-400mg/l.

The best time to check your hot tub water hardness is immediately after it has been filled whilst the water is still cold.

How do I check water hardness?

The easiest way is to use inexpensive test strips. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Dip the strip into the water and match the colour with the chart supplied, it really is that easy.

If you need to increase the water hardness, hardness increaser can be added.

Whilst it is not possible to decrease the hardness of the water already in the hot tub, it is possible to drain some of the water and replace with softened water from a domestic water softener, and thus reducing the water hardness by a certain amount. It is not generally recommended to fill a hot tub completely using a domestic water softener.

If you cannot change the water hardness, just keep on top of the pH and alkalinity levels to ensure that they are kept in balance. This should stop or reduce the likelihood of scale forming.

Loose limescale will usually be collected by the hot tub filters. If loose scale can be seen floating around then there is a fair chance that the filters will be collecting it and flow will become restricted. The filters will require changing and cleaning on a more regular basis and may require a deeper and more thorough clean to remove all the hard calcium deposits.

We recommend that you have two sets of filters to allow for thorough cleaning and drying of one set whist the other set is in the hot tub.

Quality Darlly filters are tough and robust enough to withstand repeated cleaning cycles without loosing efficiency or integrity.   

Read our ‘How to clean a hot tub filter’ topic for more help about filter cleaning and the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner.

If you have a suggestion for a topic that we have not yet covered, we would be more than happy to receive your suggestion. Just get in touch and we will do what we can to help.

Happy Hot Tubbing!

The Darlly Team

If you decide not to run your hot tub through the winter months (except for your Christmas and New Year treat of course!) how might you go about it, what should you consider and how should you prepare and store the filters?

1.    First step is to turn off the mains power supply to the hot tub. There shouldn’t be any power getting to the hot tub at all, it must be completely isolated electrically.  Take note, this is for your safety!                                           

2.    Drain the water from the hot tub as normal, either via the drain point and a hose or use a submersible pump to speed up the process.    (Always refer to the hot tub manufacturer’s owners manual for information regarding your hot tub draining, refilling and maintenance). You really won’t want to miss this opportunity to give the hot tub a thorough washdown and clean to ensure that it is ready to go when you refill it.  Don’t forget to clean under the headrests! 

3.    Remove the filters and clean using a Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner with Darlly Filter Cartridge Cleaner and if required, leave to soak in a cleaning solution until thoroughly clean. The filters should then be rinsed and left to dry thoroughly before being stored safely in a dry location in readiness for refitting next time you use the hot tub. Don’t forget to keep two sets of filters to enable swift filter changes to enjoy continuous bathing at filter change time. Check out our How To Clean a hot tub Filtertopic for more information.

4.    When the hot tub and underside of the cover are completely dry, refit the cover ensuring that it prevents any water ingress into the tub. Any moisture remaining inside may allow mould or algae to form whilst it is closed up. A few extra minutes work now ensuring that it is completely dry will save much cleaning time prior to refilling the hot tub next time you wish to enjoy it.  

We hope you enjoy reading our Filter Care topics. If you have any suggestions for any other filter topics that you would like us to cover, please drop us a line. 

Happy Hot Tubbing!