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

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 

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!

It’s too good to miss! An opportunity to party and you have a hot tub, how do you prepare the water to be sparkling and inviting? It would be rude to invite your friends and not invite the hot tub wouldn’t it? 

Hopefully, you have allowed yourself enough time between now and party-time to get the tub ship-shape.

Where shall we start? This depends on the condition of the water currently in the hot tub. How long has it been in there? Is it cloudy? Is it saturated? Does it look inviting?

If the water has been in there a while or the quality is not tip top, it may be worth changing it. Come party time, the water and the filters will possibly have to deal with and filter out considerably more contamination than it normally would, hence why the water needs to be prepared for it.

Let us assume that we need to change the water to enjoy the best bathing experience at party time.

When was the last time you carried out a hot tub flush to clean the hidden pipework and plumbing? It is worth considering carrying out this task now if it has been a while since it was last done. 

Let’s break this down into a few simple steps.

1.    Remove the filters and any floating sponges, Darlly Ducks, chemical dispensers etc.

2.   Turn on the jets to max, or the cleaning cycle if available and add the liquid or gel cleaner.

3.    Wipe down the inside of the tub to remove any residual film or grime.

4.    Turn off the jets and the mains isolator before draining/pumping out the water.

5.   Once the hot tub is completely drained and sponged out, start refilling with fresh water. Run the hose into the filter housing. This helps to fill the pipework first and can help avoid any airlocks in the system.

6.    Fit new or previously thoroughly cleaned and dried quality Darlly filters. Also check out Darlly Sanistream and Darlly Silverstream filters for added benefits.

7.   Fill the hot tub until the water is just above the highest jets by 30-50mm or your hot tub manufacturers recommendation. Test the water using test strips. Add some chlorine to boost the levels as the water is mains tap water. 

To balance alkalinity and PH, wait until the water is up to normal hot tub temperature. 

Remember to maintain floor cleanliness around the hot tub to reduce the possibility of treading contamination into the hot tub. 
 

Add a Darlly duck or two to help collect the floating contaminants that always surface.

Arrange the party lights to add to the atmosphere and don’t forget your Darlly Cocktails to add a little extra pizazz to your hot tub!

Party on! 
Happy Hot tubbing!

We all want to save a few pounds here and there don’t we? How about prolonging the life of your hot tub filters? By carefully cleaning your quality Darlly filters with the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner (SC785), it is possible to extend the service life of the filters considerably.

Your hot tub should have two sets of filters, one set in the hot tub and the second set stored clean and dry ready for the next filter change.

When it is time to change the filters in your hot tub, instead of discarding the removed filters and replacing with new, have you considered cleaning the filters properly for re-use?

If you are enjoying the high-quality filtration benefits of using quality Darlly filters, your pocket can also benefit. Darlly filters are tough, durable, and can be cleaned time after time.

To clean a filter, simply add some cleaning fluid into the top of the Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner, connect to the garden hose (attachment included). Use the trigger to spray the water/cleaner mix into the filter using the brush to remove the unwanted debris. Once the cleaning fluid had been used up, leave the filter to stand for at least 1-2 hours (or 10 minutes with Instant Cartridge Cleaner). Then use just plain water with the brush to remove any remaining dirt. Allow the filters to dry completely before storing away in a dry place until your next filter change.

The Cyclone Filter Cleaner is compatible with all pleated spa filters except disposable filters.

Remember, quality pays, it doesn’t cost you!

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