Nature2 Minerals

Are you looking for a more enjoyable bathing experience in your hot tub? How about to reduce maintenance time, cost, and effort? If the answer is yes, then a Nature2 Mineral System might just be the answer you have been looking for. The Nature2 Mineral System can sanitize your water more effectively than chlorine alone and in the process reduce skin and eye irritation, plus it is very easy to use!

The Nature2 Minerals Stick is a completely self-contained system that slips right into your spas filter, working as part of the circulation system in your spa to keep your water clean and healthy. If you have an ozonator on your spa the Nature2 stick will work great with your ozonator keeping your spa water at the best quality possible.

As each stick lasts as long as 4 months, this EPA registered product can cut down on time for maintenance that is often needed when using bromine or chlorine. With Nature2 all you need to do is regularly add a small maintenance dose of non-chlorine shock and your sanitizer is taken care of. From there just maintain your pH, alkalinity, and water hardness with regular water testing.

Because Nature2 does not require the use of either chlorine or bromine it eliminates the odors and skin or eye irritation that they can sometimes cause. If you are interested in an alternative the traditional methods of spa sanitation the Nature2 System is worth a try. Just make sure to drain and refill your spa with fresh water when you begin a new system.

5 Tips for Hosting a Holiday Hot Tub Party

The holidays are once again upon us, with that of course comes parties! As a hot tub owner, you have the perfect place to host a great party, who doesn’t love a relaxing dip in the spa on a cold night, with snow lightly falling, surrounded by family and friends. Here are some tips to ensure you are prepared for the perfect hot tub party this holiday season.

1. Chemical Balance

Make sure all your spa chemicals are in balance several hours prior to usage by the party guests. There would be nothing worse than having a guest become ill or end up with irritated skin due to a chemical imbalance in your spa water.

2. Safety

Make sure the area around the hot tub is safe. That there it is clear of debris and anything that people might trip over and get hurt; also having a durable set of Spa Steps is a great idea. This will allow easier access in and out of the tub for all guests. If you will be having elderly guests or people who may need added assistance in entering or exiting the hot tub a spa handrail may also be a great idea.

3. Comfort

When hot tubing the main goal is to relax, and a key element to relaxation is ensuring comfort. Ensure that your spa pillows are in good condition and offering neck/head support for guests while in the tub. To maximize comfort for more petite guests have a hot tub booster seat available. As seats in many hot tubs seem to be built for people taller in stature, hot tubing can actually be uncomfortable for shorter bathers as it takes effort to keep themselves above the waterline and does not allow for maximum comfort, a booster seat is a great way to eliminate that problem and make sure they are very comfortable.

4. Aromatherapy

Use spa aromatherapy to set the mood, using crystals combined with an elixir will give bathers all the benefits available such as: fragrance, water softeners, skin moisturizers, anti-inflammatory, and a natural remedy for aches and pains. For a Holiday party I would recommend scents such as White Musk Vanilla Jasmine or Eucalyptus Mint.

5. Set The Mood

Any holiday party would be incomplete without music and drinks. So set up your iPod speakers outside and crank up the holiday tunes for your guests to enjoy. With the weather being cold outside have a hot beverage available for guests to enjoy such as hot cocoa, cider, or eggnog. A Smart Bar or Spa Caddy on your spa can come in handy for holding those drinks also.

If you follow the tips outlined here you are on track for making your holiday hot tub party a great success, just remember the key elements of safety and comfort and your guests will have a marvelous time enjoying your spa with you.

What is a Shock Treatment?

The main purpose of a shock treatment is to break down organic waste contaminants that cause odor and cloudy water. Shocking also converts irritating chloramines back to active chlorine and if a bromine sanitizer is used a shock treatment activates the bromide ion and it becomes hypobromous acid in water, a good sanitizer.

Regardless of what type of sanitizer you use in your spa, we recommend shock treating at least once a week to maintain the cleanest clearest water possible. Regular shock treatments will also ensure the best performance from your sanitizer. If you use a biguanide sanitizer, you will want to check with your supplier to make sure you use the correct form of shock that is compatible with your sanitizer.

There are two types of shocks available non-chlorine shock and dichlor (chlorine) based shock.

Non-Chlorine Shock

For non-chlorine shock, we recommend either Spa Pure Spa Oxidizing Shock or ProTeam Spa Oxidizing Shock. Both of these are an oxygen-based shock referred to as a monopersulfate compound (MPS). They are widely used and preferred because they have very little to no chemical odor.

This shock can be used with bromine, chlorine, Nature 2, and Frog systems. Used together with your primary sanitizer it should keep your water clean and clear.

DiChlor Shock

Dichlor shock is also commonly referred to as chlorine shock, as it is made of a form of chlorine, sodium dichlor, often not used as a primary shock occasional use can be very good to clear up water problems. Shocking with dichlor is also sometimes known as “super chlorination.” If you have water problems such as foul odor, slime, algae, mustiness, or cloudy water a dichlor shock treatment is often the fastest and easiest way to clear it up. We carry Proteam Multi Magic Shock for our Dichlor shock, as well as Proteam Sodium Dichlor and Spa Pure Granular Chlorine.

This shock can be used with bromine, chlorine, Nature 2, and Frog systems.

Water problems or not, at Hot Tub Warehouse we recommend using a shock treatment at least once a week, and more for tubs that are used daily to maintain the clearest cleanest water conditions possible.

Cloudy Hot Tub Water

As a spa owner it is nearly inevitable that at some point you will encounter cloudy water. Whenever your water appears milky, murky, gray, hazy or dull this would be considered cloudy water. There is not one thing in particular that can be blamed for cloudy water but commonly it is caused by things such as unbalanced chemicals, poor filtration, or particles too small to be captured by the filter.

If you are experiencing cloudy water the first course of action is to test your water and ensure that you have proper sanitizer levels and that pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are within the proper ranges. Having unbalanced water could be causing the problem.

After testing your water, if everything is in balance as it should be the next thing to do to combat the cloudy water would be to ensure that your filter is clean and not clogged. Filters should be removed and cleaned every 4-6 weeks. This can be done by removing the filter, spraying it off with a garden hose and then using Spa Pure Filter Cleaner, allowing the filter to soak overnight in it will degrease the filter and remove build up. Ensuring that water can move freely through the filter and it is not clogged, allowing it to trap contaminants as it should.

There are instances where particles in the tub can be may be too small to be captured by the filter and they can cause cloudy water. Using a clarifier like Spa Pure Clarifier or Natural Clear will bond the particles together allowing them to be caught by the filter.

At Hot Tub Warehouse, we recommend adding clarifier once a week during regular water maintenance to keep your water sparkling and clear all the time.

Salt Chlorine Generators for Hot Tubs

Salt chlorine generators have long been a popular sanitation option for swimming pool owners, as they have been proven to be a safe, convenient, and inexpensive way to sanitize water. These benefits are now available for hot tub owners also.

Salt chlorine generators work as water flows through their "cell" the salt in the water is turned into Hypochlorous acid in a process known as electrolysis. Hypochlorous acid is the same thing that is produced when any chlorine is introduced to water, no matter what form it is introduced in. As the water enters the hot tub, it will introduce the newly produced chlorine which prevents algae, bacteria and micro-organisms. This creates a clean and safe bathing environment.

A common question about salt water systems is if this is a “salt” system is my water going to be salt water…like the ocean? Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million (“ppm”). Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. Most chlorine generator systems require a salt content of 2500 – 3000 ppm in a hot tub. Bathing in a spa with a salt generator is often compared to taking a shower in soft water; you should have no irritation and upon exiting the tub and your skin should feel soft and smooth. Bathing in a “salt water” spa should also cause less eye irritation than one treated with more traditional chemicals. In the beginning you will add salt to your water to get the system going but then because salt is not evaporated and is returned to the water from the chlorine it is very easy to maintain proper salt levels and the only time you would need to add salt is to make up for loss from splash out or when hot tub water is changed.

Here at Hot Tub Warehouse, we offer the Solaxx Saltron Mini Spa Chlorine Generator. This unit is very easy to install without requiring costly modifications to your spa. After installation you simply add normal table salt and the Saltron will produce chlorine used to sanitize your spa.

Choosing a Hot Tub Cover Lift

Whether you currently use a hot tub cover lift and it is just time for replacement or you are a first time cover lift shopper there are many things to consider to ensure you find the cover lifter that is going to work best for your and your spa.

When you begin shopping it is easy to quickly become overwhelmed by all the choices, especially since many of them look similar but really can differ greatly in price and design, so here is what you should consider when choosing a lift.

Spa Measurements

With so many different shapes and sizes of spas out there, knowing your spas measurements can quickly help guide you in the right direction when it comes to choosing a cover lift. When looking at cover lifts it is important to note your spas shape, dimensions, and if you have a square or rectangular tub with rounded corners it important to know your corner radius.

How to measure your corner radius is also a very common question. Basically, the corner radius measurement is the distance between where your corner begins to curve out to where the 90 degree angle would be if the corner was not rounded.

Corner radius is important to know because many cover lifts will not work on a radius over a certain measurement or will require a special extension to accommodate the larger radius.

Clearance

When selecting a cover lift it is important to consider how much clearance you have on the sides of your spa that will be effected by the cover lift. If you choose a lift that sets the cover low to the ground on one side of the spa it is important to ensure there is ample room for the cover to maneuver and sit.

If you choose a lift that mounts on the sides of the spa it is also important to ensure you have ample clearance on the sides of the spa where it will be mounted for the bars to move freely without obstruction.

View or Privacy

Some cover lifts sit up high in the air and could give added privacy to your tub when the cover is up, this may be something you are interested in if you have nosy neighbors you would like to block out, but if you have a beautiful view you like to enjoy from your tub you may want to consider a lift that allows the cover to sit down lower on the side of the spa for less obstruction.

Hydraulic or Basic

Some cover lifts offer hydraulic assistance in the lifting of your spa cover with the help of gas shocks. If you are person in average physical condition a cover lift without shocks would probably work just fine for you but if you have trouble lifting and need the added help a cover lift that utilizes the hydraulic shocks is something that you should likely consider.

Support/ Durability

One of the things that can make a huge different difference in the price of one coverlift compared to another is the durability of it and the support it offers your cover. Many lifts have two arms that come in on either side of the cover seam to hold the spa cover but do not have a bar that extends the full length of the seam for added support. Choosing a lift that has a bar extending the full length of the seam may be more expensive up front but can save alot of wear and tear of your cover.

Mounting Options

Spa cover lifts are available with many different mounting options for your needs. The most common type are lifts that mount directly onto the cabinet of your hot tub. Depending on your spa and set up this may be a good option for you but if you are opposed to having to drill holes in your spas cabinet for installation or you have an older spa and are worried about the cabinet supporting the lift, and undermount option might be a better choice.

Undermount lifts have metal plates that slide under the spa and the weight of the hot tub holds them in place. Just keep in mind that your spa will need to have the water drained from it for installation on this one because you will need to be able to lift the spa 1/2 inch to 1 inch off the ground to slide the plates under.

If your spa is built into a deck, there are also options available that will mount directly onto your deck.

Hopefully after considering these variables making the choice of which cover lift is best for you will be much easier. At Hot Tub Warehouse, we carry a huge selection of lifts so that you can find the one that fits your needs best. If you have any questions, we are always here to assist you also.

What is Chlorine?

Chlorine is a member of the same chemical family as bromine. 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.

Chlorine is the most commonly used primary sanitizer in swimming pools. Chlorine tends to be less effective than bromine at high temperatures like those in a hot tub when in tablet form and that is why it is not recommended as a primary sanitizer for hot tubs. If you do choose to use chlorine as your primary sanitizer or an occasional shock treatment, the granular form known as “sodium dichlor” is the best option for hot tubs. It is not excessively acidic or alkaline, and does not quickly deplete at higher water temperatures like the more concentrated version.

If you do choose to use chlorine granules as a primary sanitizer you would just want to be sure and test your water VERY often since it is not being dispensed automatically like bromine tablets or cartridges would be.

When testing your chlorine levels you are looking for a reading of 1.5 to 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Chlorine levels not being high enough could result in unsafe water conditions that can cause skin irritation, smelly water, and a growth place for bacteria.

No matter what form of sanitizer you choose to use in your hot tub maintaining it properly is the key to success, do this by testing often and making sure all your chemical levels are balanced.

Getting the Most From Your Water Test Kits

Test kits are a handy companion when it comes to maintaining clean and healthy water for your hot tub enjoyment. Hot Tub Warehouse offers three types of water testing kits; reagent, test strip, and test tabs. Knowing which one to use depends on the amount of time, energy, and money you would like to invest in your hot tub.

Most water testing kits come with a comparator which is a color chart that you, the water tester, can compare color results to which determine whether chemicals need to be adjusted at that time. The cost of a water testing kit depends on the extent of chemicals you would like checked, as well as how much effort you would like to put into testing the chemicals.The basic chemicals that can be checked with a water testing kit are chlorine/bromine, alkalinity, and pH. Some kits also offer tests for calcium hardness and cyanuric acid.

For the hot tub owner who doesn't have the time to worry about exact color results, many test kits offer a digital reader which does the work for you. Simply fill a vial with water, add your reagent, and the digital reader will tell you what needs to be adjusted at that time, if anything. Digital readers can add to the cost of a test kit , but could be saving more for you in the long run since unbalanced water could ultimately damage parts of the hot tub system causing a need for replacing parts.While checking color tests manually to a comparator works just fine, human error is always a possibility when reading results. Some test result colors look very similar and may cause a bit of confusion for the person testing the water. Digital readers take the work and wonder out of your chemical results.

Before purchasing one of the many chemical test kits that Hot Tub Warehouse has to offer, decide how much time you can invest in testing your chemicals. Hot tub Warehouse recommends testing your chemicals at least twice a week. If the hot tub is being used more often, then the chemicals should be checked more often as well. Do you have the patience for adding exact drops of reagents to the water vials? Is pushing a test tab through foil and into a water filled vial an easier option? Or do you prefer simply dipping a test strip in the water and waiting for the results to appear?

Another thing to consider is which chemicals you are concerned about enough to check, and whether you have the confidence and patience to compare colors yourself to the comparator. Would you prefer and trust a digital reader doing it for you?

Once you have decided on these factors then the amount of money you'd like to spend on a chemical test kit should be an easy choice. Hot Tub Warehouse offers the best prices around. Each test kit offers individual test replacements for certain reagents, test strip, or tabs needed which helps save cost as well. For example, if you need to test your pH level and have run out of reagent, simply reorder a reagent for pH as opposed to a whole new kit.

Having clean and safe water to sit in and enjoy is the ultimate goal, as well as having a healthy and safe hot tub system