Does my hot tub use filters?
Does my hot tub use filter? All hot tubs have and need filters because If they didn’t, the water would soon become so dirty with contamination. Meaning that it would become completely uninviting to bathe in and also unsafe.
It may be that your hot tub water is not very inviting and you are now looking for a solution to your hot tub’s yacky water….
Why is the water dirty in my hot tub?
There can be numerous reasons why the water is not crystal clear. Does the control panel show a flow error message? If so, it could be that the filters that you don’t know about in your hot tub are severely contaminated and nearly completely blocked.
If you don’t have a flow error message, it could be that there aren’t actually any filters in the filter housing, and the dirty unfiltered water is just being pumped back into the hot tub which is not ideal is it?
Why does a hot tub need filters?
Efficient and effective filters are not only an important necessity to help maintain high quality water for the bathers. The filters also help to keep the unseen plumbing and pipework clean and protect the expensive pumps.
We obviously need to do something about this poor water quality, so where do we find this filter housing?
Where are the filters located in my hot tub?
The filter housing is usually located inside the tub just below the waterline. There is usually a recess in the hot tub where the water flows into the filter housing, usually through a basket type device called a filter basket or skimmer basket.
This is designed to catch and stop any larger items being sucked down and causing damage to the filters, or even the pumps.
The filters are usually located below the skimmer basket, but before we start removing the lift-off panels or the skimmer basket, ensure that the hot tub is switched off for safety.
Take a look under the skimmer basket into the filter housing. Hopefully you should find one or maybe two filters there.
Where can I find information on how to clean hot tub filters?
Visit our Filter Care page to read about cleaning your filters. If you require replacement filters, head to our Filter Finder to help identify the quality Darlly filters you need.
For help and information about caring for your hot tub filters, follow the link to the Filter Care page on our website where you will find a wide range of easy-read topics about filters and hot tubs to help you enjoy crystal clear water in your hot tub.
If you have any questions about hot tub filters or suggestions for Filter Care topics, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Why you should let hot tub filters dry after cleaning
Why do hot tub filters need to dry before refitting?
Why you should let hot tub filters dry after cleaning
It is easy to think that once you have completed the final and seriously thorough rinse of cleaning your hot tub filters that the job is done. But is it?
Well, not quite……..
Just as important as all of your effort, time and care taken cleaning the filters is the real final stage, drying. Complete and thorough drying.
Why do we need to let the filters dry? They’re only going back into the water in the hot tub aren’t they? Well, yes they are, but that is the only thing you want going back into the water isn’t it? We really don’t want bacteria in there do we?
Hot Tub Bacteria?
Bacteria. Like all other organisms, bacteria need water to survive. If the filter is not completely dry, the bacteria can thrive deep within ready to be re-introduced into your hot tub water.
A wet filter can trap bacteria and other contaminants that can quickly multiply.
Thoroughly cleaning the filter, and then allowing it to dry completely helps to alleviate this problem.
Filters left stored wet or damp can often go green with algae which is very difficult to remove and not very inviting to put back into your hot tub really is it?
How to dry a hot tub filter
It is probably not best practise to apply direct excessive heat to a wet or damp hot tub filter so let’s not do that. 🙂
After cleaning, allow excessive water to drain naturally from the filter before placing the filter in a suitable location to allow to dry completely.
A warm location will aid drying. It can take a surprising length of time for a filter to dry completely, and can be helped by allowing a warm air to flow freely around and through the centre of the filter.
Two sets of hot tub filters
To allow continuous use and enjoyment of your hot tub whilst cleaning and thoroughly drying your filters, it is good practise to have two sets of filters so that at filter cleaning time, it is simply and swiftly out with the dirty filters and in with the clean. It really is that simple.
Two sets of filters properly cared for should last much longer than just one set that is in continuous use, plus the fact that your hot tub is available for you to enjoy whenever you want.
Remember, you should not run a hot tub without filters installed.
Washing away all traces of detergent
After cleaning the filters, it is important to thoroughly irrigate and wash the filters with clean water to completely remove all traces of any cleaning filter cleaner fluids and detergents. It is difficult to over-emphasise the importance of this is as any residuals can affect the water balance and chemistry, which you will then need to address.
To sum up:-
Swap your dirty filters out of your hot tub and replace with clean ones.
Clean the dirty filters
Thoroughly wash out all traces of cleaner with clean water
Dry the clean filters completely and store until required at next filter change.
For more useful and interesting information about hot tub filters, follow the link to our Filter Care Topics .
Need help identifying your filter? Take a look at our Filter Finder
Follow the link to our website to view our ranges of filters and the award-winning Sanistream inline dosing system.
If you have any questions or suggestions for other Filter Care topics, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are here to help.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
My Hot Tub filter blocks quickly, is it faulty?
Blocked Hot Tub Filter
My Hot Tub filter blocks quickly, is it faulty?
It is unlikely, so let us investigate why it is getting blocked.
Are you getting water flow errors?
If your hot tub filter gets blocked quickly, the chances are that it isn’t the filter that is the problem.
The filter is doing exactly what it is designed to do, collecting the dirt, debris and contaminants from the water, allowing bathers to enjoy clear clean water.
Maybe the question should be ‘Why is the hot tub filter getting blocked?’ rather than ‘My Hot Tub filter blocks quickly, is it faulty?’
How does this dirt and contamination get into the hot tub?
Some is environmental, such as dust and dirt blowing about in the atmosphere, pollen, leaves, twigs, suicidal insects etc.
Most of it is transported into the hot tub by the bathers, often unknowingly.
How can I reduce this contamination entering the hot tub?
A few simple steps are all that is required to substantially reduce the contamination introduced into the hot tub.
Check that the hot tub cover fits neatly and securely on top of the tub, ensuring that there aren’t any gaps that would allow access for insects or dust. This also helps to retain heat within the tub.
Let’s not beat about the bush here. Bathers are responsible for taking much of the contamination into the hot tub. Bathers should always shower before hot-tubbing.
Care should be taken to reduce the possibility of contamination as far as possible.
What do people take into the hot tub with themselves?
The list is quite extensive; hair products (hair spray, colouring, shampoo and conditioner), make-up, tanning products, hair, skin flakes, contamination from clothing etc inc. soaps, detergents, and softeners, deodorants, sweat, dirt carried in on soles of feet, all contribute towards a reduction in water quality.
All dirt and contaminants can affect the water balance. This all adds to the cost of chemicals required to maintain the water balance, in addition to increased filter cleaning, maintenance and replacement.
Spilled food and beverages also have a detrimental effect on water quality and filter contamination.
Filters
Filters of differing qualities and price are available. There will probably also be a be a significant variation in the performance of the filters.
A cheaper filter may have a smaller area of filter material than a quality filter which may restrict or block flow sooner than a quality filter.
The cheaper filter may also have a poorer quality filtration material and therefore fail to remove the unwanted contaminants efficiently from the water.
Darlly Quality Filters are designed to trap contaminants and debris efficiently. This not only helps to maintain water quality, it also helps protect the workings of the hot tub. Darlly filter material is also tough, durable, and robust enough to withstand repeated cleaning cycles, thus having a significantly longer service life than a cheap filter whilst maintaining its highly efficient filtration capability.
Not sure how to properly clean your hot tub filter? Read our Filter Care Topic ‘How to clean a dirty hot tub filter‘
How long should a hot tub filter last for?
As you can imagine, it is undesirable to have contaminated, dirty, and greasy water running through the pumps or contaminating the unseen under-tub pipework and plumbing supplying the jets. Now that could really end up being expensive to remedy!
To enjoy our hot tub experience, what we desire most is clean water.
By using Darlly quality filters, keeping contamination out of the hot tub by taking a little extra care, and with regular hot tub and filter maintenance, this can be achieved.
Check out our Filter Care Topics about all things Hot Tubs and filter.
If you have any questions or ideas for a Filter Care topic, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Hydropool Serenity Hot Tub Filter
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.
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Front
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Find my nearest Darlly Filter supplier.
When should you replace Hot Tub Filters?
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.
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
How to prepare my hot tub and filters for use after winter
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
Will hot tub water quality affect my skin?
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
Is the square-feet of a filter important?
What does it mean?
Do you ever check or compare the square-feet measurement of a filter before buying?
We all probably check the price and that it is the correct size and fitting, but the square-feet?
What does the square-feet figure relate to?
In simple terms, if you opened up the filter and spread the actual filter material out on the floor, and then multiplied the length by the width in feet, this is the area measurement in square feet.
You might be surprised how much filter material there actually is!
There are a number of important factors that go into the making of a quality Darlly filter, the area (square feet) is just one of these.
The main items are the quality of the filter material and the amount of it. Not only is the ability of the filter material to filter out the contaminants and debris, both visible and invisible to the naked eye important, but also the physical integrity and durability are vitally important to enable the filter to withstand repeated cleaning cycles and to ensure a long and efficient service life.
Read our ‘How to clean a filter’ topic for more information about cleaning.
Remember, if the filter material is holed, ripped or torn it will not be doing its job and must be replaced. The filters also help to protect the pumps from debris.
For a given hot tub, the greater the area of the filter material, generally the time between filter changes will be longer, thus reducing the maintenance downtime of your hot tub and making your life just that little bit easier!
The answer, we now know, to the question ‘Is the square-feet measurement of a filter important?’ is a definite YES!
Make a quality decision, choose a quality Darlly filter and enjoy the benefits.
If you have any questions about filter care or have any suggestions for a topic that we have not yet covered please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Where can I find the part number for my hot tub filter?
The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it’s time to replace the hot tub filters but you can’t find the old label with the filter number on it. You did actually keep the label didn’t you?
If not, read on……..
Darlly filters usually have the part number moulded on the top. If not, or it isn’t a genuine Darlly filter, you can take a few filter measurements and details.
By using the Darlly ‘Find Your Filter’ pages in the Darlly Brochure & Filter Directory accessed from the home page of our website, www.darlly.eu , it should be possible to identify your filter.
If you are not sure how or what to measure on your filter, refer to another of our helpful Filter Care topics ‘How can I identify my filter?’ for an easy step-by-step guide.
Another route to identifying your filter with the information you have is by using the ‘Filters’ dropdown on the home page. This offers a choice of options to view.
Each option will display all filters in that particular range. On the left hand side, select your hot tub brand which will then only display the filters relevant to your brand of hot tub.
By selecting a filter, the details and dimensions will be displayed along with other part numbers that the filter may also be known by.
If you still cannot identify you filter, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are very friendly and will do our best to help you
Happy Hot Tubbing!
The Darlly Team
Are all hot tub filters similar quality and equally efficient?
In a nutshell, no! Well, that was easy wasn’t it? Or was it?
Let’s have a brief look over some filters to find out a little bit more about them, what various types actually do, and what we really expect from them.
Finances can be a little tight at the moment so it can be tempting to save a little money by selecting a filter costing a little bit less. Is this a way to save money? Don’t all filters perform equally?
Let us ask ourselves what we want our filters to do for us.
The Hot Tub water always needs to crystal clear and inviting, this goes without saying and it is most desirable. What about how long the filter will continue to do this for us before it requires maintenance? What about how long the filter will last with repeated cleaning? How long before it will require replacing?
Arguably, the most important component here is the filter paper. Two similar-looking filters may differ enormously just in the filter paper alone. Briefly:-
1. The filtration quality affects the water quality.
2. The filter paper area affects how long the filter lasts between cleaning cycles. Filters of similar appearance may have up to 100% or more difference in filter paper area. The filter material pleats should also be robust enough not to ‘collapse’ or deform under pressure whilst holding filtered contaminants.
3. The quality and durability of the filter paper to withstand ripping and tearing through repeated cleaning cycles affects the lifespan of the filter.
4. The lifespan of the filter affects the running costs of the hot tub which ultimately means your pocket.
We can see from this that filters need to be robust quality items to withstand the day to day life that they are subjected to.
So far, we can see that as with most things in life, quality pays in the longer term. Purchasing a cheaper poor quality filter may not result in the saving that we thought it would be.
Something else to consider is the type of filter that we want. Have you considered a Darlly Sanistream or Darlly Silverstream filter?
Darlly Sanistream filters are designed to take a DL815 SpaPod inside. The refillable adjustable-dose pod is designed to hold chlorine or bromine tablets to continually dose the hot tub water.
Darlly Silverstream filters are impregnated using silver ion technology offering antimicrobial protection for the filter and bather. This process gives the filter a premium finish with increased filter life, a cleaner filter, no mould growth, fewer odours and fewer cleaning times.
As we can see, there are several options available when choosing replacement filters. Consider your needs and what you want your filter to do for you. Remember, the high quality filter can be the most efficient at delivering high quality water as well as being the most cost effective and sensible purchase.
If you have any suggestions for future Filter Care topics or you would like more information, please do not to get in touch. We are more than happy to help.