Ensuring Spa Safety - Spa Steps, Spa Covers and More!

Hot tubs are a fantastic way to relax and unwind at the end of a long day, and they can lead to improved health and well-being. However, where there is water, there is the potential for accidents to happen. Preventing these accidents simply requires a little attention and the implementation of a couple of useful safety tools. Hot tub safety is simply a matter of common sense; as with any body of water, precautions must be taken in order to avoid accidents.

Remember that hot tubs are for relaxing – not for jumping, splashing, frolicking, or underwater play. This point is especially important for children who may want to jump in and swim underwater. Make sure that all children remain supervised during hot tub use, and that they understand the safety guidelines.
Below are some useful tips and guidelines to follow to minimize risks:

1. Locked Spa Cover:
Tarps and soft spa covers can easily be removed by small children, leaving the hot tub exposed to the elements and the kids susceptible to accidents and falling in. Purchase a hot tub cover that locks in place, ensuring the safety of all family members, and protection of your spa.

2. Spa steps:
For younger children and older family members, accessing a hot tub can be difficult – stepping up to the hot tub’s edge and down into the tub require strenuous movement for those with impaired mobility. For young children, the steps down into the hot tub may be too tall. To avoid such issues – install sturdy spa steps by the hot tub to facilitate access to the hot tub.

3. Hydration:
Just like being outside on a hot summer day, hot tub temperatures are extremely high so keeping the body hydrated is a must. Remember to drink water regularly even if you do not feel particularly thirsty, as heat exhaustion and overheating can creep up unannounced.

4. Length of time:
Hot tub temperatures usually hover around the low 100s – a high temperature for the human body to withstand for an extended duration. If you wish to use the hot tub for over half an hour, be sure to take regular 10+ minute breaks to drink water and cool off. At the first sign of overheating (nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth) exit the hot tub, allow the body to cool off and drink water. The body cannot take the immersion in hot water for more than about 20-30 minutes at a time.

5. Tie hair back:
Be sure to tie back long hair to keep it from becoming tangled or sucked into the hot tub jets.

6. Avoid slipping:
Wet flooring can result in slips and falls when people try to exit the hot tub. To minimize this risk, implement non-slip rubber mats and spa hand rails so that people may steady and support themselves as they step out of the hot tub.

In general, the use of hot tubs is beneficial and can lead to reduced stress, improved circulation and much more as long as they are used correctly. If you exceed the recommended temperature or time of use, the results can be dangerous for your health. As with most things, moderation is key. Pay attention to how you feel and exit at the first sign of dizziness. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you have small children, are pregnant, or have a health condition to make sure it is safe to use a spa.

Ensuring the safety of all hot tub users and family members is quick and easy and will guarantee a lifetime of fun for everyone!


Ashley Olson, Hot Tub Warehouse. Hot Tub Warehouse is a supplier of quality hot tub parts and accessories, including fitted spa covers and hot tub covers. For a wide selection of hot tub chemicals, testing supplies, filters and more, please visit Hot Tub Warehouse.

What is Bromine?

Bromine is a member of the same chemical family as chlorine. This chemical family known as halogens attacks microorganisms such as bacteria using oxidation and kills them. This is why chlorine and bromine are the two most popular choices for sanitizer in pools and spas.

Why Bromine?

Most people who choose to use bromine over chlorine do so for a few reasons. Although bromine is not completely odor-free most people find it to be a much less potent odor than that of its cousin, chlorine. It also seems to be less irritating to the skin and eyes. Bromine remains more stable at the high water temperature in hot tubs than chlorine does, making it more stable and less maintenance. Bromine also has advantage over chlorine in that after chlorine is combined with waste it has no further ability to sanitize but bromine can be reactived with an non-chlorine shock treatment.

How to Use Bromine?

Bromine is typically either used in tablet form like, SpaPure Bromine Tablets or ProTeam Brominating Tablets, a brominating concentrate, or administered through either a floating or inline cartridge that also works with a mineral system, like the ones from Spa Frog.

Testing bromine levels to make sure they are high enough can easily be done with test strips like Aquachek Total Bromine in seconds about twice a week, or a larger test kit like the Taylor K-2106, which uses reagents, can be used which eliminates the need for color matching.

Regardless of which way you use bromine and how you test for it, if it is maintained at correct levels it will work as a great sanitizer to keep your water crystal clear.

Spa maintenance needs vary based on the usage of the hot tub, both how often and how many people are using it. But here are some basic guidelines to follow when caring for your spa:

BROMINE TABLETS

· Bromine Tablets being used in a residential spa should maintain a 2-4 ppm total bromine residual.

· Brominating Tablets being used in a commercial hot tub should maintain a 4-6 ppm total bromine residual.

· When starting with a fresh fill and using bromine tablets, fill up the floating feeder with tablets as instructed by the manufacturer. Shock your spa water with either a chlorinating or brominating concentrate following the label instructions. This will eliminate unwanted compounds and create a sanitizer residual. You will then want to adjust the rate of flow from the Brominating Tablets in your feeder. For the first week you will want to test the water frequently then shock as needed to get the correct bromine residual established and maintain it.

BROMINE CONCENTRATE

· Bromine Concentrate being used should maintain 3-6 ppm total bromine residual.

· When starting with a fresh fill and using a bromine concentrate add 2 tsp. per 400 gallons of water with the pump running. For the first week test the water frequently and add concentrate as needed to maintain the proper residual.

BROMINE CARTRIDGES with a Mineral System

· Spas using bromine along with a mineral system should maintain a 1-2 ppm residual of bromine and follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.

What is Calcium Hardness?

What is Total Hardness?

Total Hardness is often referred to as Calcium Hardness or Total Hardness. Total Hardness is a measure of the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the hot tub water. The basic recommended range in a hot tub is between 200 and 400 parts per million. This can vary depending on the hot tub finish and chemicals you are using to treat your spa. For example; an acrylic spa using Bromine is recommended to have a total hardness level of between 175 and 225 ppm.

For Pristine Blue the recommended total hardness level is between 100 to 300 ppm. Another factor in determining hardness levels is water temperature, (the colder the water, the more calcium is needed). Higher levels of total alkalinity or PH will require lower calcium levels of hardness to prevent scaling. Remember, the recommendations are ideal and a wider range of values can be acceptable.

What is the problem if your total hardness is too high or too low?

If your spas hardness level is low, you can experience plaster etching, equipment, jet and plumbing corrosion. To correct this problem add SpaPure Hardness Increaser or ProTeam Calcium Up. If your total hardness is too high, the hot tub water may not be able to hold all the minerals, and calcium can fall out of solution, causing scale buildup and cloudy water.

How can you lower your Hardness Level?

Pristine Check can help remove calcium from hot tub water. If your fill water has high calcium you can use a Pre-Fill Filter to help remove these minerals. There are also products like SpaPure Stain and Scale Preventer and ProTeam Metal Magic. These products will not lower the calcium hardness, but they will prevent scale buildup. Simply add a small dose each week to protect your spa from calcium buildup that can damage jets, heaters, and other equipment components.

It is recommended to test for Total Hardness approximately once a month. A few test strips and kits that will test for Total Hardness include: AquaChek Bromine Test Strips, AquaChek Select Test Strips, Taylor K-2005, Taylor K-2006, Taylor K-2106 and Lamotte ColorQ 2056, 2057, 2062 and 2066. Testing for hardness levels using these products is a snap and will protect your hot tub and prevent unnecessary expenses for repairs of your hot tub.

What is PH?

PH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water. Maintaining proper PH levels in your hot tub is critical for protection of your spa surfaces, bather comfort and for the ability for most hot tub sanitizers to work at their best. The PH Scale is logarithmic and measures of 0.0 to 14.0 with 7 being neutral. The recommended PH level to be maintained in your hot tub is between 7.4 and 7.6. Measurements below 7.4 show that your hot tub water is more acidic than it should be. This can corrode spa surfaces, plumbing and equipment and can cause skin irritation and red eyes. Measurements above 7.6 show that your hot tub water is more base or alkaline. High PH can cause the sanitizer to lose some effectiveness; minerals can fall out of solution, causing cloudy water, scale buildup, and equipment and surface damage.

Many factors can affect your hot tubs PH level. This includes airborne contaminants, rain, fill water and bathers. Some chemical products can also affect the PH like sanitizers, shock treatments and balancing products. Since the PH changes frequently due to these and other outside factors it is recommended to test the PH level at least twice a week. When testing if your hot tubs PH level is not between 7.4 and 7.6, it is time to make an adjustment. If your PH measured high we need to lower it. To lower your PH use a product such as SpaPure PH Down or ProTeam Liquid PH Down. If your PH measured low we need to raise it, to raise your PH a product such as SpaPure PH UP or ProTeam Spa Liquid PH UP should be used.

If you are adding PH UP and your PH is not responding by rising, check the total alkalinity. If the total alkalinity is high and increasing, the problem could be bicarbonate scale. This becomes an issue when your hot tub water is not allowed to gas off properly. Trapped Gases are reabsorbed into the hot tub water and can drive down PH and the total alkalinity up. This can also cause cloudy water. You may need to leave your hot tub cover off for a few hours to a few days to help fix the problem.

Is it really a big deal if your PH reads a little high like 7.8 or a little low like 7.6? As mentioned before. The PH Scale is Logarithmic. This means there is a ten difference between each successive full number on the scale. A PH Reading of 6.0 means a tenfold increase of acidic molecules over a 7.0 reading. The difference between 6.0 and 8.0 is a 100 times greater (10 x 10). That being said you should try to maintain the PH between 7.4 and 7.6 all the time for optimum water quality.

Why does Pool / Spa Water Turn Hair Green?

What causes hair to turn green?

Most people you ask will tell you that it is the chlorine in swimming pool and hot tub water that causes hair to turn green, but that is actually a myth. Chlorine in pool and spa water causes metals such as copper, iron, and manganese to oxidize. Think of what happens to copper used in pennies, pots and pans, and architecture over time, the process is the same. After exposure to elements and over time the copper turns from its original color into a greenish turquoise as the minerals oxidize. Repeated exposure to the oxidized metals floating in chlorinated water can often cause light colored hair to appear to have a greenish tint. So contrary to popular belief it is actually metal in the water turning hair green, not chlorine.

Now, what to do about it?

Using a metal removing compound that is compatible with your sanitizer like ProTeam Metal Magic, can help remove the metals from your spa water and into your filter where they can easily be removed with a filter cleaning.

Controlling the metals in your water will also help out with stain and scale build up on your spa walls and in pumps and heaters.

Winter Hot Tub Preparation

In many parts of the country the chill of winter has already begun to descend with cold mornings and icy evenings. With the impending cold season looking large, it is important to begin considering how to protect your home, your plants and your pool or hot tub.

Most people make sure to plan for the winter months as far as their homes are concerned, but for many, neglecting to consider one’s pool, hot tub or yard can lead to expensive repairs and devastating damages.

Preparing your hot tub for winter is extremely important – it can prevent serious problems caused by freezing, but improperly winterizing your spa could cause extensive damage from water freezing in the piping and/or equipment.

Below are some tips for winterizing your hot tub, remember to consults your owner’s manual and dealer for additional information specific to your hot tub:

1. Program your filter and heat cycles to run at night.
2. Purchase a spa cover that traps heat such as a “thermal blanket” or “solar cover” – this will decrease evaporation.
3. Inspect all pipes for loops or low spots where water will get trapped. Disconnect pumps (or plugs) at low points to avoid water freezing and cracking pipes.
4. Clean your hot tub cover – especially the underside in order to prevent mildew.
5. Purge pipes and lines with a leaf blower and place rodent repellent near openings to dissuade mice or rats from camping out.
6. Many newer spas have different settings including one to avoid freezing – check your owner’s manual to see if your spa offers this mode. This allows the spa to maintain a constant temperature and avoid freezing. For spas that do not offer this – set your timer so that the hot tub is on for about 15 minutes each hour to avoid freezing.
7. Regularly remove the snow from atop the cover.
8. Remove and clean the spa filter, cartridge and any other parts that can be removed – store these indoors for the duration of winter.
9. Drain your tub of all water.
10. Drain pumps and motors fully to prevent freezing. Soak up remaining water with a sponge or vacuum

If you are using your hot tub during winter:

1. The colder it is outside, the longer it will take for your spa or hot tub to heat up. Spas will need to run longer during the winter to maintain the same temperature as in the warmer months.
2. Use an insulating cover when the spa is not in use – even for small spurts of time such as a bathroom break.
3. Remember that winter use of a spa could run your energy bill up an additional $30-40 per month if not more.

As always, consult an expert if you have any doubts – especially if you are a new hot tub owner!



Hot Tub Warehouse is a supplier of quality, name-brand spa maintenance products and spa parts. As an online resource for the very best solutions for all your hot tub needs, Hot Tub Warehouse offers you the best selection of products.

What is Alkalinity?

What is Alkalinity?
Total Alkalinity is a measure of the amount of buffering capacity in the water. It acts as a shock absorber for the pH. If Total Alkalinity is too low, the water is acidic and can corrode equipment and hot tub surfaces. It also causes pH bounce. The pH will drift down and any adjustments made to it will bounce and be difficult to control. If Total Alkalinity is too high, the water is alkaline and scale buildup and cloudy water can result. The pH will tend to drift up and will be very difficult to adjust.

Total Alkalinity, like pH, is affected by environmental factors. Rain, acidic sanitizers, addition of fill water and other product applications can all change the alkalinity over time. Total Alkalinity should be tested once every three to four weeks.

Proper Total Alkalinity levels vary with the water temperature and the sanitizer used. Ideal range for Total Alkalinity is from 125 - 150 ppm. For chlorine or bromine spas, levels of Total Alkalinity up to 200 ppm are acceptable, and the high cutoff is 170 for Biguanide spas. The cutoff is slightly lower for Biguanide spas due to the foaming tendency of the product and the tendency for pH to drift upward.

High Total Alkalinity

Add PH Down over a period of several days to lower the total alkalinity to the proper level. Discontinue PH Down additions if the pH drops below 7.2. Resume the applications where you left off when pH returns to 7.4 - 7.6. pH adjustment should not be necessary, as the alkalinity will tend to pull the pH up.
If the total alkalinity is high and continues to increase, and the pH is low and does not respond to additions of Balance PH Increaser, the problem could be bicarbonate scale. This occurs when spas are not allowed to gas off properly. Trapped gases or poor ventilation in indoor spas are reabsorbed into the water and drive the pH down and the Total Alkalinity up. It can also cause the water to cloud. To balance successfully, remove any covers and/or ventilate as well as possible and begin making adjustments again. Keep the area well ventilated or the cover removed until the hot tub water balance is returned to normal. To prevent this problem, remove covers or ventilate indoor spas for several hours a day to allow gasses to escape.

Basic Tips to Clean Your Hot Tub Spa Filter

Having trouble maintaining your hot tub water at the quality you would like it? Maybe it is time to see how your spa filter is working for you.

The most important thing when it comes to having high quality hot tub water is your filtration system. If your filter is worn out or clogged it will not do its job of filtering the contaminants out which then puts strain on your spa’s pump and heater.

Your spa filter cartridge should be rinsed and cleaned every two weeks to monthly depending on the spa usage. In order to clean the filter you will want to pressure wash it at a 45 degree angle with your garden hose both inside and out in order to make sure it is clear of all dirt and debris. Spray between each pleat to ensure that all foreign material is cleared. The filter flosser is a great attachment for your garden hose to ensure the filter gets a deep clean. It can also help you clean your filter 50% faster & using 50% less water and it also virtually eliminates back-splash.

Some particles such as algae, suntan lotion, and body oils may not be able to be removed just by hosing the filter. These contaminates can clog the filters pores leading to greatly reduced filtration. In order to rid the filter of such contaminants you will want to use a cleaning compound such as SpaPure Filter Cleaner. It works overnight. A 12 to 14 hour soak of your filter will assure complete removal of all contaminants including those that may have been deeply set. SpaPure Filter Cleaner is compatible with chlorine, bromine, and biguanide sanitizers.

Spa Filters should be replaced annually. Many people also prefer to use the rotation method of keeping a spare clean dry filter on hand all the time to immediately replace the one being removed for cleaning. This will help your filters last longer and you will never lose a minute of usage in your spa while waiting to clean a filter.

Here are a few other tips when it comes to maintaining your hot tub filter:

· Never use a power washer or dish washer to clean your filter cartridge as the pressure could damage the filter media.

· Never use household cleaners or laundry detergent, or bleach to clean your filters, as they could cause major foaming problems in your spa water.

· We recommend that you keep a spare clean dry filter on hand to rotate your current filter with.

· We recommend you replace your filter cartridges yearly.

· Always follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions for removing and reinstalling hot tub filter cartridges.

· Find new or replacement filters in our Spa Filters Search Tool, whether you are currently using Filbur Filters, or another branch such as Pleatco Filters or Unicel Filters just type in the number and we will find the filbur replacement. You can also search for a replacement by dimensions if you do not know the model number you are currently using.